Abstract: An antenna assembly includes an antenna feed, a ground plane, a first antenna element, a second antenna element, and a shorting post that is shared between the first and second antenna elements. The first antenna element includes a first conductive dipole arm in planar alignment with a surface of the ground plane and a second conductive dipole arm in planar alignment with the surface of the ground plane and adjacent to the first conductive dipole arm. The second antenna element includes a third conductive dipole arm in planar alignment with the surface of the ground plane and adjacent to the second conductive dipole arm, and a fourth conductive dipole arm in planar alignment with the surface of the ground plane and adjacent to the third conductive dipole arm. The shorting post is in electrical communication with the ground plane, the second conductive dipole arm and the third conductive dipole arm.

Abstract: An antenna assembly includes a first dielectric material, a ground plane above the first dielectric material, and two or more patch antennas above the ground plane. In an example, the ground plane has a first aperture slot, and a second aperture slot that is non-intersecting with the first aperture slot. The antenna assembly further includes a second dielectric material separating the two or more patch antennas from the ground plane. In an example, the first dielectric material comprises a printed circuit board (PCB). In some examples, the ground plane and the two or more patch antennas are manufactured using additive manufacturing techniques (such as three-dimensional printing techniques), and in some such examples, the second dielectric material includes dielectric foam. For example, the dielectric foam supports the two or more patch antennas above the ground plane.

Abstract: An antenna assembly includes a ground plane having a first aperture slot and a second aperture slot. The first and second aperture slots are non-intersecting and substantially symmetrical with each other about an imaginary plane of symmetry that divides the ground plane into two substantially symmetrical halves, and that is orthogonal to the ground plane. The antenna assembly includes a first patch antenna above the ground plane, and a second patch antenna above the first patch antenna. The first patch antenna is separated from the ground plane, and the second patch antenna is separated from the first patch antenna. The imaginary plane also divides the first patch antenna into two substantially symmetrical halves, and divides the second patch antenna into two substantially symmetrical halves. A first feed line and a second feed line are at least in part below the first aperture slot and the second aperture slot, respectively.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an antenna assembly includes additively manufacturing an element that is a monolithic structure and that includes (i) a ground plane including one or more aperture slots, (ii) a patch antenna above the ground plane, and (iii) a sacrificial support feature to support the patch antenna above the ground plane. The method further includes applying a dielectric material between the ground plane and the patch antenna. In an example, applying the dielectric material between the ground plane and the patch antenna includes providing a dielectric foam between the ground plane and the patch antenna, where the dielectric foam at least in part supports the patch antenna above the ground plane. The method further includes removing at least a section of the sacrificial support feature, such that any remnant of the support feature does not physically couple the ground plane to the patch antenna.

Abstract: An antenna element suited for direction finding (DF) with omni-directional radiation patterns utilizing a pair of chevron slots fed using a ridged waveguide magic tee (magic-t) and connected microstrip probes. The provided antenna element provides improved performance, power handling, and improved bandwidth compared to current monocone and/or slot antenna elements. The antenna element may be further realized utilizing additive manufacturing processes in combination with standard metal and polymer production techniques.