Abstract: An antenna array for receiving microwave signals is provided that is particularly designed for use in television receive only (TVRO) satellite earth stations. The array comprises a plurality of identically-directed microwave antenna elements arranged in a plane perpendicular to their common primary receiving direction. Each antenna element includes an integral low-noise amplifier (LNA). Outputs of the LNAs are combined to produce a composite output signal which provides maximum response to microwave radiation arriving from the common primary receiving direction of the elements and null responses to microwave radiation arriving from particular other directions. The array includes means for rotating the elements about an axis parallel to the common primary receiving direction. Such rotation effectively adjusts the angle between the primary receiving direction of the array and a null-response direction disposed in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the array.

Abstract: A simplified current-tuned bipolar junction transistor oscillator is provided that is especially adapted for low power applications. The oscillator hereof utilizes the diffusion capacitance of the transistor's forward-biased base-emitter junction together with an inductance connected directly across the transistor's base-collector junction as reactive elements in the oscillator's frequency determining network. The transistor's base-collector junction is operated at zero volts bias thereby insuring that its depletion capacitance is fixed. The input current to the emitter is varied to change the base-emitter diffusion capacitance thereby adjusting the oscillator's frequency of oscillation.

Abstract: A quadrature detector circuit for demodulating frequency modulated information is provided that is particularly designed for use in television receive only (TVRO) satellite communication video receivers. The bandwidth restrictions of conventional quadrature detector circuits are eliminated by substituting a simple ferrite bead for the usual parallel capacitor, inductor, resistor combination heretofore required in quadrature detectors. The quadrature detector hereof produces a higher level of video output, improved linearity, and better selectivity, as compared to conventional quadrature detector circuits. Moreover, the quadrature detector hereof reduces circuit complexity, and decreases material costs and production time.