Abstract: A phased array antenna includes a semiconductor wafer, with radio frequency (RF) circuitry fabricated on top side of the semiconductor wafer. There is an array of antenna elements above the top side of the semiconductor wafer, and a coaxial coupling arrangement coupling the RF circuitry and the array of antenna elements. The coaxial coupling arrangement may include a plurality of coaxial connections, each having an outer conductor, an inner conductor, and a dielectric material therebetween. The dielectric material may be air.

Abstract: A phased array antenna includes a semiconductor wafer, with radio frequency (RF) circuitry fabricated on top side of the semiconductor wafer. There is an array of antenna elements above the top side of the semiconductor wafer, and a coaxial coupling arrangement coupling the RF circuitry and the array of antenna elements. The coaxial coupling arrangement may include a plurality of coaxial connections, each having an outer conductor, an inner conductor, and a dielectric material therebetween. The dielectric material may be air.

Abstract: A phased array antenna includes a substrate that is segmented into a plurality of array tiles. An array of dipole antenna elements is formed on the substrate with each dipole antenna element positioned on a respective one of the array tiles. Each dipole antenna element includes a medial feed portion and a pair of legs extending outwardly therefrom. Adjacent legs of adjacent dipole antenna elements include respective spaced apart end portions forming a gap between the respective end portions and defined by separate tiles. A capacitor coupler is positioned at each respective spaced apart end portion of adjacent legs and bridging a gap for capacitive coupling respective spaced apart end portions of respective adjacent dipole antenna elements together.

Abstract: A phased array antenna includes a substrate that is segmented into a plurality of array tiles. An array of dipole antenna elements is formed on the substrate with each dipole antenna element positioned on a respective one of the array tiles. Each dipole antenna element includes a medial feed portion and a pair of legs extending outwardly therefrom. Adjacent legs of adjacent dipole antenna elements include respective spaced apart end portions forming a gap between the respective end portions and defined by separate tiles. A capacitor coupler is positioned at each respective spaced apart end portion of adjacent legs and bridging a gap for capacitive coupling respective spaced apart end portions of respective adjacent dipole antenna elements together.

Abstract: Method for controlling an input impedance of an antenna (100). The method can include the steps of coupling RF energy from an input RF transmission line (106) to an antenna radiating element (102) through an aperture (112) defined in a ground plane (110). For example, the aperture (112) can be a slot and the radiating element (102) can be a patch type element. The input impedance can thereafter be controlled by selectively varying a volume or a position of a conductive fluid (128) disposed in a predetermined region between the RF transmission line and the antenna radiating element. The volume of conductive fluid (128) can be automatically varied in response to at least one control signal (132).

Abstract: Method for controlling an input impedance of an antenna (100). The method can include the steps of coupling RF energy from an input RF transmission line (106) to an antenna radiating element (102) through an aperture (112) defined in a ground plane (110). For example, the aperture (112) can be a slot and the radiating element (102) can be a patch type element. The input impedance can thereafter be controlled by selectively varying a volume or a position of a conductive fluid (128) disposed in a predetermined region between the RF transmission line and the antenna radiating element. The volume of conductive fluid (128) can be automatically varied in response to at least one control signal (132).

Abstract: A variable true time delay line (100) includes an RF transmission line (110) and at least one fluidic delay unit (108). The fluidic delay unit includes a fluidic dielectric contained in a cavity (109) and coupled to the RF transmission line (110) along at least a portion of a length thereof. At least one pump is provided for adding and removing the fluid dielectric to the cavity (109) in response to a time delay control signal. A propagation delay of the RF transmission line is selectively varied by adding and removing the fluid dielectric from the cavity.

Abstract: An antenna can comprise a conductive reflecting surface (204) and a plurality of cells (202) disposed over the conductive reflecting surface. The plurality of cells can be formed from a solid dielectric material such as a low temperature cofired ceramic. Each cell can define a cavity for containing at least a fluid dielectric (406). One or more fluid processors (404, 424) independently vary a volume of the first fluid dielectric in the plurality of cells for producing a redirected RF beam at a selected angle relative to an incident RF signal impinging on the conductive reflecting surface.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for steering an antenna beam using a periodic resonance structure (300). The method can include the step of electrically and magnetically coupling a first fluid dielectric (114) to a plurality of transmission line stubs (104) that are respectively coupled to a plurality of radiating elements (102) of a periodic resonance structure (300). The first fluid dielectric (114) is controlled to selectively vary an electrical length of each of the transmission line stubs (104). This permits directing an angle of a redirected RF beam produced by an incident RF signal (306) impinging on the periodic resonance structure (300).

Abstract: A phase delay line (100). The phase delay line can include an RF transmission line (110) and a fluid channel (109) having a serpentine configuration. The transmission line can be coupled to a solid dielectric substrate material (102), for example a substrate formed from a low temperature co-fired ceramic material. The fluid channel can be coupled to the RF transmission line along at least a portion of a length of the transmission line. A phase delay of the RF transmission line can be selectively varied by adjusting a distribution of the fluidic dielectric (130) present within the fluid channel. Similarly, the phase delay of the RF transmission line also can be maintained constant as an operational frequency of the RF transmission line is varied.

Abstract: A reflector antenna system may include an arc-shaped antenna reflector defining a first antenna beam, and a phased array antenna positioned in the first antenna beam including first and second arrays of antenna elements coupled together in back-to-back relation. The first array may face the antenna reflector, and the second array may face away from it. A controller switchable between a reflecting mode and a direct mode may be connected to the arrays. The controller, when in the reflecting mode, may cause back-to-back pairs of first antenna elements from the arrays to define a feed-through zone for the first antenna beam, and cause second antenna elements in the first array to define a first active zone for the first antenna beam. Furthermore, when in the direct mode, the controller may cause antenna elements in the second array to define a second active zone for a second antenna beam.

Abstract: A variable phase delay line (100). The variable phase delay line (100) can include an RF transmission line (102) and a fluid channel (130) having a serpentine configuration. The fluid channel (130) can be coupled to the RF transmission line (102) along at least a portion of a length of the transmission line (102). The variable phase delay line (100) also can include at least one fluid control system (150) for adding and removing the fluidic dielectric (132) to the fluid channel (130) in response to a phase delay control signal (122) to selectively vary a phase delay of the RF transmission line (102). The fluidic dielectric (132) can have a permeability and a permittivity selected for maintaining a constant characteristic impedance along an entire length of the RF transmission line (102).

Abstract: A circuit for processing radio frequency signals that includes an adjustable transmission line stub (104). The adjustable transmission line stub (104) has an input (106) at one end, an electrical length and a termination (112). The circuit also includes a signal return conductor (124) and at least one fluid conduit (114) extending from the transmission line stub (104) to the signal return conductor (124). A fluid control system (150) is provided for selectively moving a conductive fluid (126) from a first position to a second position. The fluid control system is responsive to a control signal (174) for selectively moving the conductive fluid (126) between the first and second position. The fluid control system (150) can include a pump (154, 158, 156) for moving the conductive fluid (126) between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: An antenna can include at least one antenna element (102) to which a fluid dielectric (114) is magnetically and electrically coupled. The antenna element (102) is preferably a conductive wire or patch disposed on a dielectric substrate (104), but it can also be a slot. A fluid control system (116, 118, 120) can be provided responsive to a control signal (124) for selectively varying a volume of the fluid dielectric (114) coupled to the antenna element (102). Consequently, efficient operation of the antenna element can be provided on a plurality of operating bands.

Abstract: A continuously variable waveguide attenuator (100). The continuously variable waveguide attenuator includes at least one waveguide attenuator cavity (109) having at least one barrier. A fluid dielectric (108) having a loss tangent, a permittivity and a permeability is at least partially disposed within the waveguide attenuator cavity (109). At least one composition processor (101 ) is included and adapted for dynamically changing a composition of the fluid dielectric (108) to vary an electrical characteristic of the fluid dielectric. A controller (136) is provided for controlling the composition processor (101 ) to selectively vary the electrical characteristic in response to a waveguide attenuator control signal (137).

Abstract: A continuously variable waveguide filter (100). The variable waveguide filter can include at least one waveguide filter cavity (154, 156, 158) and a fluid dielectric (108) having a permittivity and a permeability at least partially disposed within the waveguide filter cavity (154, 156, 158). At least one composition processor (101) is included and adapted for dynamically changing a composition of the fluid dielectric (108) to vary at least one electrical characteristic. A controller (136) is provided for controlling the composition processor (101) in response to a waveguide filter control signal (137).

Abstract: A variable waveguide system (100). The variable waveguide system (100) includes a waveguide (102), a dielectric structure (116) including at least one cavity disposed within the waveguide, and a conductive fluid (126). The cavity is filled with the conductive fluid (126) in a first operational state, and the cavity is purged of the conductive fluid (126) in a second operational state. A fluid control system (150) can be provided for transferring the conductive fluid (126) in and out of the cavity in response to a control signal (174). The waveguide (102) can have a first cutoff frequency in the first operational state and a second cutoff frequency in the second operational state. Further, the waveguide (102) can have a first electrical length in the first operational state and a second electrical length in the second operational state.

Abstract: An electromagnetic horn antenna (100). The antenna can include a horn housing having a throat portion (102), a tapered portion (106, 104) and an aperture 108. At least one cavity structure (142, 144, 138) can be provided within the horn housing. The cavity structure can include at least one wall (138) formed of a dielectric material. A conductive fluid (136) and a fluid control system (103) can be provided. The fluid control system can control a volume and a position of the conductive fluid contained within the cavity structures for dynamically modifying at least one electrical characteristic of the electromagnetic horn antenna.

Abstract: An antenna (100) includes an antenna radiating element (108) that is at least partially comprised of a conductive fluid (104). A dielectric structure (102) defines at least one cavity (110A, 110B) for constraining the conductive fluid. The antenna also includes a fluid control system (116A, 116B, 118A, 118B, 120A, 120B, 122) for selectively adding and removing the conductive fluid from the cavity for controlling a dimension of the antenna radiating element (108). The antenna radiating element (108) can be comprised of a plurality of cavities (110A, 110B), with each cavity defining a segment of the antenna radiating element (108).

Abstract: A reflector antenna system may include at least one antenna reflector having an arcuate shape and defining an antenna beam, a feed device spaced apart from the at least one antenna reflector, and a phased array antenna positioned in the antenna beam between the at least one antenna reflector and the feed device. More particularly, the phased array antenna may include a substrate and a plurality of back-to-back pairs of first antenna elements carried by the substrate and configured for defining at least one feed-through zone for the antenna beam. The phased array antenna may further include a plurality of back-to-back pairs of second antenna elements carried by the substrate and defining at least one active beamsteering zone for the antenna beam.