Abstract: Antenna unit cells suitable for use in antenna arrays are disclosed, as are antenna array and mounting platform such as an aircraft comprising antenna unit cells. In one embodiment, an antenna unit cell comprises a dielectric substrate having a length extending along a first axis and a width extending along a second axis, a first plurality of radiating elements disposed on a first side of the dielectric substrate, and a second plurality of radiating elements disposed on a second side of the dielectric substrate, opposite the first side, wherein the second plurality of radiating elements extend to an edge of the unit cell, and the first plurality of radiating elements overlap portions of the second plurality of radiating elements. Other embodiments may be described.

Abstract: Structure and method for an aperture plate for use in a phased array antenna is disclosed. The aperture plate includes a plurality of waveguide transitions, each with a radiating end, a coupling end and a body portion extending from the radiating end to the coupling end. The waveguide transitions are spaced apart from each other wherein at least a pair of waveguide transitions are spaced apart closer to each other at the radiating end than at the coupling end. The method of manufacturing an aperture plate for a phased array antenna includes sizing a plurality of waveguide transitions based upon certain operating requirements, determining a radiating lattice spacing and configuration based upon the operating requirements, determining a coupling lattice spacing and configuration based upon antenna electronics packaging, optimizing an aperture plate thickness to achieve the radiating lattice and the coupling lattice spacing and configuration, and forming the aperture plate.

Abstract: Method and structure for a microwave antenna module is provided. The method includes, creating a laminate structure by laminating a plurality of conductive layers and dielectric layers; creating a plurality of layers within the laminate structure to interconnect the plurality of conductive layers and dielectric layers; laminating a base plate to a bottom of the laminate structure; wherein the baseplate operates as a heat sink; and laminating a seal ring to a top periphery of the laminate structure.

Abstract: A structural phased array antenna and method for manufacturing are disclosed. An integrated structural antenna aperture can be used to reduce net weight, cost, and volume where an array of antenna elements are incorporated into a structural member, e.g. in a spacecraft. A structural material layer, such as a structural foam, may be used with the array of individual antenna element cavities machined into the layer. The antenna element cavities are lined with a conductive material, such as plated aluminum. Facesheets may be bonded to the front and/or backside of the structural material layer in order to increase strength and/or stiffness using an RF transparent material. The array of antenna elements may be coupled to filters at the back side of structural material layer.

Abstract: A system for a mobile ad-hoc communications network includes a single antenna aperture and a phased array antenna comprising a plurality of radiators communicating electromagnetically via the single antenna aperture. The system may also include a control circuit communicatively connected to the phased array antenna. The control circuit may include a communications module for transmitting and receiving communication data via the phased array antenna through the single antenna aperture and a radar module for transmitting and receiving radar signals via the phased array antenna through the single antenna aperture.

Abstract: An antenna array core comprising a plurality of microwave modules, a control layer, a mounting layer, and a signal distribution layer. The control layer is capable of distributing control signals to the plurality of microwave modules. The plurality of microwave modules are attached to an upper surface of the mounting layer and the mounting layer is made from a heat conductive material capable of cooling the plurality of microwave modules. The signal distribution layer is located below the mounting layer, wherein the signal distribution layer is capable of transmitting microwave signals to the plurality of microwave modules and wherein the arrangement of the plurality of microwave modules on the mounting layer, the control layer, and the wave distribution network form a layered architecture for the antenna core. The architecture is a balance between, size, thermal control, manufacturability, cost, and performance so as to be a unique solution.

Abstract: A dual beam electronically scanned phased array antenna architecture including a plurality of antenna modules orthogonally connected to a signal distribution board. Each module includes a radiator board orthogonally connected to a first end of a support mandrel. Each radiator board includes RF radiators and a pair of chip carriers mounted to opposing sides of the respective mandrel and interconnected to the respective radiator board. Each module includes a signal transfer board formed to fit around a second end of the mandrel such that it is compressed between the mandrel and the signal distribution board, and a pair of signal distribution bridges mounted to the opposing sides of the mandrel. Each signal distribution bridge interconnects respective chip carriers with the signal transfer board and distributes digital, DC and/or RE signals received from the signal transfer board to a plurality of beam scanning circuits included in the respective chip carrier.

Abstract: A ballistic resistant antenna for use with a ballistic resistant communications system having a first plate fabricated from a ballistic material. The first plate has at least one opening configured to allow transmission of electromagnetic energy at a predetermined range of electromagnetic wavelengths. The antenna also has at least one plug having a geometry that is capable of insertion into the at least one opening. The at least one plug is made up of a material that is substantially transparent to the predetermined range of electromagnetic wavelengths.

Abstract: A system for a mobile ad-hoc communications network includes a single antenna aperture and a phased array antenna comprising a plurality of radiators communicating electromagnetically via the single antenna aperture. The system may also include a control circuit communicatively connected to the phased array antenna. The control circuit may include a communications module for transmitting and receiving communication data via the phased array antenna through the single antenna aperture and a radar module for transmitting and receiving radar signals via the phased array antenna through the single antenna aperture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that is capable of verifying on site the health, calibration and integrity of individual phased array modules of a phased array antenna system and, in certain cases, enabling the phased array antenna system to overcome element failures by use of a beam-steering computer. The present disclosure provides a test probe or RF radiator in or adjacent the antenna array for supplying and receiving test and calibration signals.

Abstract: A system and method of constructing a phased array antenna system that incorporates a printed wiring board assembly with a metallic waveguide plate is provided. The system uses a metallic waveguide plate to dissipate heat toward and through the waveguide portion of the system.

Abstract: A structural phased array antenna and method for manufacturing are disclosed. An integrated structural antenna aperture can be used to reduce net weight, cost, and volume where an array of antenna elements are incorporated into a structural member, e.g. in a spacecraft. A structural material layer, such as a structural foam, may be used with the array of individual antenna element cavities machined into the layer. The antenna element cavities are lined with a conductive material, such as plated aluminum. Facesheets may be bonded to the front and/or backside of the structural material layer in order to increase strength and/or stiffness using an RF transparent material. The array of antenna elements may be coupled to filters at the back side of structural material layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that is capable of verifying on site the health, calibration and integrity of individual phased array modules of a phased array antenna system and, in certain cases, enabling the phased array antenna system to overcome element failures by use of a beam-steering computer. The present disclosure provides a test probe or RF radiator in or adjacent the antenna array for supplying and receiving test and calibration signals.

Abstract: Structure and method for an aperture plate for use in a phased array antenna is disclosed. The aperture plate includes a plurality of waveguide transitions, each with a radiating end, a coupling end and a body portion extending from the radiating end to the coupling end. The waveguide transitions are spaced apart from each other wherein at least a pair of waveguide transitions are spaced apart closer to each other at the radiating end than at the coupling end. The method of manufacturing an aperture plate for a phased array antenna includes sizing a plurality of waveguide transitions based upon certain operating requirements, determining a radiating lattice spacing and configuration based upon the operating requirements, determining a coupling lattice spacing and configuration based upon antenna electronics packaging, optimizing an aperture plate thickness to achieve the radiating lattice and the coupling lattice spacing and configuration, and forming the aperture plate.

Abstract: A system and method of constructing a phased array antenna system that incorporates a printed wiring board assembly with a metallic waveguide plate is provided. The system uses a metallic waveguide plate to dissipate heat toward and through the waveguide portion of the system.

Abstract: An antenna array core comprising a plurality of microwave modules, a control layer, a mounting layer, and a signal distribution layer. The control layer is capable of distributing control signals to the plurality of microwave modules. The plurality of microwave modules are attached to an upper surface of the mounting layer and the mounting layer is made from a heat conductive material capable of cooling the plurality of microwave modules. The signal distribution layer is located below the mounting layer, wherein the signal distribution layer is capable of transmitting microwave signals to the plurality of microwave modules and wherein the arrangement of the plurality of microwave modules on the mounting layer, the control layer, and the wave distribution network form a layered architecture for the antenna core. The architecture is a balance between, size, thermal control, manufacturability, cost, and performance so as to be a unique solution.

Abstract: A phased array antenna system including a mandrel having compliant portions and an internally formed cooling passageway. The compliant portions are formed by removing portions of material along one end of the mandrel to form a plurality of pairs of generally U-shaped, leaf spring-like connecting areas. The connecting areas allow a degree of movement of a lower portion of the mandrel relative to the remainder of the mandrel, when the mandrel is fixedly secured to a printed wiring board (PWB). This enables flexible electrical interconnects, positioned over the compliant portions, to make electrical contact with circuit traces on the PWB, even if the PWB has a curved or undulating surface.

Abstract: A compact, low profile electronically scanned antenna module is provided. The antenna module includes a multi-layer antenna integrated printed wiring board (AiPWB) that includes a radiator layer on a front surface. The radiator layer includes a plurality of RF radiating elements. The antenna module additionally includes a plurality of radiator electronics modules orthogonally connected to a back surface of the AiPWB. The electronics modules are interconnected with radiating elements through the AiPWB and include a plurality of beam steering electronic elements mounted to a multi layer conformable substrate. The orthogonal connections allow the antenna module to have outer dimensions that are substantially equal to the dimensions of a perimeter of the AiPWB.

Abstract: A method and structure for producing an angled RF connection between a first element and a second element using a flexible substrate is provided. The method includes laminating a flexible substrate onto the first element; bending the flexible substrate such that a bonding pad on the flexible substrate is in a similar plane as a bonding pad on the second element; and creating the angled RF connection by wire bonding the bonding pad on the flexible substrate and the bonding pad on the second element. The structure includes a flexible substrate that is laminated onto a first element as an outer layer, flexible substrate having at least one bonding pad, and the flexible substrate able to bend in an angle that places the bonding pad in a same plane as a bonding pad on a second element.

Abstract: Method and structure for a microwave antenna module is provided. The method includes, creating a laminate structure by laminating a plurality of conductive layers and dielectric layers; creating a plurality of layers within the laminate structure to interconnect the plurality of conductive layers and dielectric layers; laminating a base plate to a bottom of the laminate structure; wherein the baseplate operates as a heat sink; and laminating a seal ring to a top periphery of the laminate structure.