Abstract: Methods and devices for radio frequency (RF) loopback for transceivers are described. A transceiver for communicating RF signals with a target device may transmit signals at a transmit frequency and receive signals at a (different) receive frequency. The transceiver may include a waveguide diplexer for separating and combining signals based on frequency. The transceiver may be configured to couple a loopback signal from a common port of the waveguide diplexer; the loopback signal may be based on a transmit signal. The transceiver may include a loopback translator to translate the loopback signal from the transmit frequency to the receive frequency and provide the translated loopback signal to a receiver used for receiving signals from the target device. The receiver may compare the translated loopback signal with a representation of the transmit signal to generate a compensation signal. A transmitter may use the compensation signal to adjust subsequent transmit signals.

Abstract: Antenna feed chains and methods are disclosed. An antenna feed chain, include a feed horn having a first cross-polarization performance over a solid angle of interest and a frequency band of interest and a polarizer having a second cross-polarization performance over the solid angle of interest and the frequency band of interest. The polarizer is coupled to the feed horn. The first cross-polarization performance of the feed horn compensates for the second cross-polarization performance of the polarizer over the solid angle of interest and the frequency band of interest.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for improving a performance of a waveguide device. A waveguide device that includes a common port and divided ports may also include a sidewall feature that extends across a first set of opposing sidewalls and a second set of opposing sidewalls of the waveguide device. The sidewall feature may have a same shape on each of the first set of opposing sidewalls and a second set of opposing sidewalls. In some cases, the sidewall feature is positioned outside a divided waveguide section of the waveguide device. The position of the sidewall feature may be determined based on an impedance matching metric between the common port and the divided ports, an isolation metric between the divided ports, or both.

Abstract: The described features include a scalable waveguide architecture for a waveguide device. The waveguide device may be split into one or more waveguide blocks instead of manufacturing increasingly larger single-piece waveguide devices. Described techniques provide for a radio-frequency (RF) seal between such waveguide blocks that may facilitate greater manufacturing tolerances while maintaining an effective RF seal at the junction of the waveguide blocks. The described techniques include channels within one or more waveguide blocks opening to the dielectric gap between the waveguide blocks. The channels may, for each of multiple waveguides joined at the interface between waveguide blocks, be included in one or both waveguide blocks and may be in a single waveguide dimension relative to the multiple waveguides, or extend for more than one waveguide dimensions.

Abstract: An antenna system having an antenna array including at least first and second phased array antennas, and a method for field-calibrating the antenna array. Before and after a handover period, communication with respective first and second external satellites or other communication systems is performed using both the first and second antennas. A first beam is formed prior to the handover period. During a first portion of the handover period: a second beam is formed for the communication with the first satellite using the first antenna; the second antenna is deactivated for external communication; and the second antenna is calibrated. During a second portion of the handover period, the second antenna is reactivated for a handed over communication with the second satellite by forming a third beam using the second antenna, while the first antenna maintains its communication with the first satellite via the second beam.

Abstract: Methods and devices for radio frequency (RF) loopback for transceivers are described. A transceiver for communicating RF signals with a target device may transmit signals at a transmit frequency and receive signals at a (different) receive frequency. The transceiver may include a waveguide diplexer for separating and combining signals based on frequency. The transceiver may be configured to couple a loopback signal from a common port of the waveguide diplexer; the loopback signal may be based on a transmit signal. The transceiver may include a loopback translator to translate the loopback signal from the transmit frequency to the receive frequency and provide the translated loopback signal to a receiver used for receiving signals from the target device. The receiver may compare the translated loopback signal with a representation of the transmit signal to generate a compensation signal. A transmitter may use the compensation signal to adjust subsequent transmit signals.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antenna having an electrically conductive base. In some embodiments, a first radiating element (102) may overlie the electrically conductive base and be operative in a first frequency band. A second radiating element (104) may overlie the first radiating element (102) and have a footprint smaller than the first radiating element (102). The second radiating element (104) may be operative in a second frequency band. The second radiating element (104) may overlie the first radiating element (102) by a distance such that isolation between the feed lines of respective first and second radiating elements, in the first and second frequency bands, is greater than or equal to 15 dB.

Abstract: Methods and devices for radio frequency (RF) loopback for transceivers are described. A transceiver for communicating RF signals with a target device may transmit signals at a transmit frequency and receive signals at a (different) receive frequency. The transceiver may include a waveguide diplexer for separating and combining signals based on frequency. The transceiver may be configured to couple a loopback signal from a common port of the waveguide diplexer; the loopback signal may be based on a transmit signal. The transceiver may include a loopback translator to translate the loopback signal from the transmit frequency to the receive frequency and provide the translated loopback signal to a receiver used for receiving signals from the target device. The receiver may compare the translated loopback signal with a representation of the transmit signal to generate a compensation signal. A transmitter may use the compensation signal to adjust subsequent transmit signals.

Abstract: Antenna feed chains and methods are disclosed. An antenna feed chain, include a feed horn having a first cross-polarization performance over a solid angle of interest and a frequency band of interest and a polarizer having a second cross-polarization performance over the solid angle of interest and the frequency band of interest. The polarizer is coupled to the feed horn. The first cross-polarization performance of the feed horn compensates for the second cross-polarization performance of the polarizer over the solid angle of interest and the frequency band of interest.

Abstract: The described features include a scalable waveguide architecture for a waveguide device. The waveguide device may be split into one or more waveguide blocks instead of manufacturing increasingly larger single-piece waveguide devices. Described techniques provide for a radio-frequency (RF) seal between such waveguide blocks that may facilitate greater manufacturing tolerances while maintaining an effective RF seal at the junction of the waveguide blocks. The described techniques include channels within one or more waveguide blocks opening to the dielectric gap between the waveguide blocks. The channels may, for each of multiple waveguides joined at the interface between waveguide blocks, be included in one or both waveguide blocks and may be in a single waveguide dimension relative to the multiple waveguides, or extend for more than one waveguide dimensions.

Abstract: The described features include a scalable waveguide architecture for a waveguide device. The waveguide device may be split into one or more waveguide blocks instead of manufacturing increasingly larger single-piece waveguide devices. Described techniques provide for a radio-frequency (RF) seal between such waveguide blocks that may facilitate greater manufacturing tolerances while maintaining an effective RF seal at the junction of the waveguide blocks. The described techniques include channels within one or more waveguide blocks opening to the dielectric gap between the waveguide blocks. The channels may, for each of multiple waveguides joined at the interface between waveguide blocks, be included in one or both waveguide blocks and may be in a single waveguide dimension relative to the multiple waveguides, or extend for more than one waveguide dimensions.

Abstract: Methods and devices for radio frequency (RF) loopback for transceivers are described. A transceiver for communicating RF signals with a target device may transmit signals at a transmit frequency and receive signals at a (different) receive frequency. The transceiver may include a waveguide diplexer for separating and combining signals based on frequency. The transceiver may be configured to couple a loopback signal from a common port of the waveguide diplexer; the loopback signal may be based on a transmit signal. The transceiver may include a loopback translator to translate the loopback signal from the transmit frequency to the receive frequency and provide the translated loopback signal to a receiver used for receiving signals from the target device. The receiver may compare the translated loopback signal with a representation of the transmit signal to generate a compensation signal. A transmitter may use the compensation signal to adjust subsequent transmit signals.

Abstract: The described features include a scalable waveguide architecture for a waveguide device. The waveguide device may be split into one or more waveguide blocks instead of manufacturing increasingly larger single-piece waveguide devices. Described techniques provide for a radio-frequency (RF) seal between such waveguide blocks that may facilitate greater manufacturing tolerances while maintaining an effective RF seal at the junction of the waveguide blocks. The described techniques include channels within one or more waveguide blocks opening to the dielectric gap between the waveguide blocks. The channels may, for each of multiple waveguides joined at the interface between waveguide blocks, be included in one or both waveguide blocks and may be in a single waveguide dimension relative to the multiple waveguides, or extend for more than one waveguide dimensions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antenna having an electrically conductive base. In some embodiments, a first radiating element (102) may overlie the electrically conductive base and be operative in a first frequency band. A second radiating element (104) may overlie the first radiating element (102) and have a footprint smaller than the first radiating element (102). The second radiating element (104) may be operative in a second frequency band. The second radiating element (104) may overlie the first radiating element (102) by a distance such that isolation between the feed lines of respective first and second radiating elements, in the first and second frequency bands, is greater than or equal to 15 dB.

Abstract: Feed horn transmitting and receiving signals and method of making. Feed horn includes a throat section structured to convert a TE11 mode to an HE11 mode, an aperture section positioned opposite throat section, and a multiple-corrugation transition section connected to throat section and having a plurality of radial corrugations that substantially widen an interior of the feed horn from throat section toward aperture section. Throat section, aperture section and transition section are arranged to have a same axis of symmetry. The plurality of corrugations are dimensioned relative to one another to alter a mode content of a signal so that a more co-polarized power is radiated within a predetermined solid angle of a cone in at least one frequency band as compared to a reference feed horn employing a substantially pure HE11 mode in its aperture and providing a same illumination taper at a same conical half-angle at same frequencies.

Abstract: A steerable antenna allows transmission of an electromagnetic signal between a fixed feed source or an image thereof and a target moving within an antenna coverage region. The peak gain of the signal beam varies as a function of the target position following a desired signal gain profile. The antenna includes a reflector defining a reflector surface for reflecting the signal between the feed source or its image and the target. The reflector surface defines a focal point, a center point and a normal axis perpendicular to the reflector surface at the center point. The normal axis and the feed axis intersecting the center point and the feed source or its image define a common offset plane. An elevation rotary actuator rotates the reflector about a rotation axis perpendicular to the offset plane adjacent to the center point so that the antenna provides a nominal signal gain profile over the coverage region.

Abstract: A steerable antenna allows transmission of an electromagnetic signal between a fixed feed source or an image thereof and a target moving within an antenna coverage region. The peak gain of the signal beam varies as a function of the target position following a desired signal gain profile. The antenna includes a reflector defining a reflector surface for reflecting the signal between the feed source or its image and the target. The reflector surface defines a focal point, a center point and a normal axis perpendicular to the reflector surface at the center point. The normal axis and the feed axis intersecting the center point and the feed source or its image define a common offset plane. An elevation rotary actuator rotates the reflector about a rotation axis perpendicular to the offset plane adjacent to the center point so that the antenna provides a nominal signal gain profile over the coverage region.

Abstract: A steerable antenna system for transmitting and/or receiving an electromagnetic signal to a relatively moving target includes a hyperbolic subreflector secured to a frame rotatably mounted on a support structure via a first motor and a feed source located at a first focus of the subreflector for illuminating the same. The source, fixed to the structure, has a source axis pointing at the subreflector. A parabolic reflector having a focus in common with the second focus of the subreflector to transfer the signal between the same and a planar reflector is secured to the frame and has a beam axis. The planar reflector having a normal axis intersecting the beam axis with an angle is rotatably mounted on the frame via a second motor to transfer the signal between the parabolic reflector and the target. The system may include a controller connected to the motors to control the system to steer at the target anywhere within a full spherical angular range.

Abstract: A multimode horn used to feed an antenna includes a generally conical wall for transmitting and/or receiving an electromagnetic signal there through. The wall flares radially outwardly from a throat section to an aperture and defines an internal surface having a plurality of discontinuities formed thereon and made out of electrically conductive material. The geometry of the discontinuities are configured and sized for altering the higher order mode content of the signal to achieve a balance between a plurality of performance parameters of the antenna over at least one pre-determined frequency range of the signal. The discontinuities are selected from the group consisting of local smooth profile, step, corrugation and choke.

Abstract: A multimode horn used to feed an antenna includes a generally hollowed conical structure for transmitting and/or receiving an electromagnetic signal there through. The structure flaring radially outwardly from a throat section to an aperture has a pre-determined size and an internal wall with a plurality of discontinuities for altering the mode content of the signal to achieve a balance between a plurality of performance parameters of the antenna over a pre-determined frequency range of the signal. At least one performance parameter is from the group of horn on-axis directivity, horn pattern beamwidth, antenna illumination edge-taper, antenna illumination profile and antenna spill-over losses. The discontinuities are a combination of different local smooth profiles and/or steps and/or corrugations and/or chokes.