Abstract: A monolithic structure with a stepped mode transition. In an example, the monolithic structure includes a waveguide to coaxial transition structure including (i) one or more walls defining a cavity, and having a first opening at one end of the cavity and a second opening at an opposing end of the cavity, (ii) a staircase structure extending within the cavity between the first and second openings, and (iii) a coaxial center conductor extending from a last step of the staircase structure and out the second opening. In an example, the monolithic structure further includes an extension portion extending from below the second opening and under and past an end of the coaxial center conductor. A grounded coplanar waveguide transition board is on a first section of an upper surface of the extension portion, and an amplifier is on a second section of the upper surface of the extension portion.

Abstract: A stacked patch antenna is expandable from a thinner stowed configuration in which the gaps between the conductor layers are reduced, to a thicker deployed configuration in which the gaps are expanded to their required dimensions. The expansion mechanism can include rotation of threaded rods, pneumatic expansion of telescoping rods, and/or injection of a gas, a chemical sublimate, and/or an expandable foam into the gaps. In embodiments, the stowed thickness of the antenna can be approximately equal to the sum of the thicknesses of the conductor panels. In some of these embodiments high dielectric layers are not included. In other of these embodiments high dielectric layers are formed by filling gaps with a high dielectric foam. Embodiments implement aperture coupling to the stacked patch antenna. An array of the stacked patch antennae can be folded about a satellite until deployment, and can be planar when unfolded and deployed.

Abstract: A method of transmitting information is provided. The method is performed at a system for information transfer. The method includes obtaining a first symbol, in a predefined set of symbols, for transmission; determining a first frequency band, in a first set of frequency bands associated with the predefined set of symbols, that is associated with the first symbol; and transmitting a first signal pulse having a first frequency in the first frequency band. The method includes, after transmitting the first signal pulse, transmitting a control signal associating a second set of frequency bands with the predefined set of symbols. The second set of frequency bands is distinct from the first set of frequency bands.

Abstract: A method of receiving information is provided. The method, performed at a system for information transfer, includes receiving a first signal pulse and determining a first frequency band associated with the first signal pulse. The method includes, in accordance with a determination that the first frequency band is a respective frequency band in a first set of frequency bands, determining, from a predefined set of symbols associated with the first set of frequency bands, a first symbol associated with the first frequency band and represented by the first signal pulse. The first set of frequency bands includes a second frequency band that is a nearest frequency band in the first set of frequency bands to the first frequency band. The first frequency band has a first center frequency; the second frequency band has a second center frequency; and a difference between the first center frequency and the second center frequency exceeds a frequency difference threshold.

Abstract: A method of receiving information is provided. The method, performed at a system for information transfer, includes receiving a signal pulse and determining a frequency band and a pulse duration associated with the signal pulse. The method includes, in accordance with a determination that the frequency band is one of a set of frequency bands, determining, from a first set of symbols, a first symbol associated with the frequency band. The method also includes, in accordance with a determination that the pulse duration is one of a set of pulse durations, determining, from a distinct second set of symbols, a second symbol associated with the pulse duration. Each frequency band in the set of frequency bands is associated with a respective symbol in the first set of symbols, and each pulse duration in the set of pulse durations is associated with a respective symbol in the second set of symbols.

Abstract: A method of receiving information is provided. The method is performed at a system for information transfer. The method includes receiving a first signal pulse and determining a first frequency band and a first pulse duration associated with the first signal pulse. The method includes, in accordance with a determination that the first frequency band is one of a predefined set of frequency bands, and that the first pulse duration is one of a predefined set of pulse durations, determining, from a predefined set of symbols, a first symbol associated with the first frequency band and the first pulse duration. Each frequency band in the predefined set of frequency bands is associated with a respective set of two or more symbols, and each symbol of a respective set of two or more symbols is associated with a distinct respective pulse duration in the first predefined set of pulse durations.

Abstract: A method of receiving information is provided. The method, performed at a system for information transfer, includes receiving a signal pulse and determining a frequency band and a pulse duration associated with the signal pulse. The method includes, in accordance with a determination that the frequency band is one of a set of frequency bands, determining, from a first set of symbols, a first symbol associated with the frequency band. The method also includes, in accordance with a determination that the pulse duration is one of a set of pulse durations, determining, from a distinct second set of symbols, a second symbol associated with the pulse duration. Each frequency band in the set of frequency bands is associated with a respective symbol in the first set of symbols, and each pulse duration in the set of pulse durations is associated with a respective symbol in the second set of symbols.

Abstract: A method of receiving information is provided. The method is performed at a system for information transfer. The method includes receiving a first signal pulse and determining a first frequency band associated with the first signal pulse. The method includes, in accordance with a determination that the first frequency band is a respective frequency band in a predefined set of frequency bands, determining, from a predefined set of symbols, a first symbol associated with the first frequency band and represented by the first signal pulse. Each frequency band in the predefined set of frequency bands is associated with a distinct respective symbol in the predefined set of symbols, and frequency bands in the predefined set of frequency bands, in aggregate, are not contiguous.

Abstract: A method of receiving information is provided. The method is performed at a system for information transfer. The method includes receiving a first signal pulse and determining a first frequency band and a first pulse duration associated with the first signal pulse. The method includes, in accordance with a determination that the first frequency band is one of a predefined set of frequency bands, and that the first pulse duration is one of a predefined set of pulse durations, determining, from a predefined set of symbols, a first symbol associated with the first frequency band and the first pulse duration. Each frequency band in the predefined set of frequency bands is associated with a respective set of two or more symbols, and each symbol of a respective set of two or more symbols is associated with a distinct respective pulse duration in the first predefined set of pulse durations.

Abstract: A method of receiving information is provided. The method is performed at a system for information transfer. The method includes receiving a first signal pulse and determining a first frequency band associated with the first signal pulse. The method includes, in accordance with a determination that the first frequency band is a respective frequency band in a predefined set of frequency bands, determining, from a predefined set of symbols, a first symbol associated with the first frequency band and represented by the first signal pulse and providing the first symbol. Each frequency band in the predefined set of frequency bands is associated with a distinct respective symbol in the predefined set of symbols, and frequency bands in the predefined set of frequency bands, in aggregate, are not contiguous.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a first signal pulse and determining a first frequency band and a first value of a first signal property that are associated with the first signal pulse. The method includes, in accordance with a determination that the first frequency band is a respective frequency band in a first predefined set of frequency bands, determining first data that is associated with the first frequency band. The method includes, in accordance with a determination that the first value of the first signal property is a respective value in a first predefined set of values of the first signal property, determining second data that is associated with the first value of the first signal property. The first signal pulse represents the first data and the second data. The first predefined set of frequency bands, in aggregate, are not contiguous.

Abstract: A method of receiving information is provided. The method, performed at a system for information transfer, includes receiving a first signal pulse and determining a first frequency band associated with the first signal pulse. The method includes, in accordance with a determination that the first frequency band is a respective frequency band in a first set of frequency bands, determining, from a predefined set of symbols associated with the first set of frequency bands, a first symbol associated with the first frequency band and represented by the first signal pulse. The first set of frequency bands includes a second frequency band that is a nearest frequency band in the first set of frequency bands to the first frequency band. The first frequency band has a first center frequency; the second frequency band has a second center frequency; and a difference between the first center frequency and the second center frequency exceeds a frequency difference threshold.

Abstract: A method of transmitting information is provided. The method is performed at a system for information transfer. The method includes obtaining a first symbol, in a predefined set of symbols, for transmission; determining a first frequency band, in a first set of frequency bands associated with the predefined set of symbols, that is associated with the first symbol; and transmitting a first signal pulse having a first frequency in the first frequency band. The method includes, after transmitting the first signal pulse, transmitting a control signal associating a second set of frequency bands with the predefined set of symbols. The second set of frequency bands is distinct from the first set of frequency bands.

Abstract: A method of receiving information is provided. The method is performed at a system for information transfer. The method includes receiving a first signal pulse and determining a first frequency band and a first pulse duration associated with the first signal pulse. The method includes, in accordance with a determination that the first frequency band is one of a predefined set of frequency bands, and that the first pulse duration is one of a predefined set of pulse durations, determining, from a predefined set of symbols, a first symbol associated with the first frequency band and the first pulse duration. Each frequency band in the predefined set of frequency bands is associated with a respective set of two or more symbols, and each symbol of a respective set of two or more symbols is associated with a distinct respective pulse duration in the first predefined set of pulse durations.

Abstract: A method of receiving information is provided. The method, performed at a system for information transfer, includes receiving a signal pulse and determining a frequency band and a pulse duration associated with the signal pulse. The method includes, in accordance with a determination that the frequency band is one of a set of frequency bands, determining, from a first set of symbols, a first symbol associated with the frequency band. The method also includes, in accordance with a determination that the pulse duration is one of a set of pulse durations, determining, from a distinct second set of symbols, a second symbol associated with the pulse duration. Each frequency band in the set of frequency bands is associated with a respective symbol in the first set of symbols, and each pulse duration in the set of pulse durations is associated with a respective symbol in the second set of symbols.

Abstract: A method of receiving information is provided. The method is performed at a system for information transfer. The method includes receiving a first signal pulse and determining a first frequency band associated with the first signal pulse. The method includes, in accordance with a determination that the first frequency band is a respective frequency band in a predefined set of frequency bands, determining, from a predefined set of symbols, a first symbol associated with the first frequency band and represented by the first signal pulse and providing the first symbol. Each frequency band in the predefined set of frequency bands is associated with a distinct respective symbol in the predefined set of symbols, and frequency bands in the predefined set of frequency bands, in aggregate, are not contiguous.