Abstract: Systems and methods for beam forming are provided. The system includes an optical beam forming network (OBFN), one or more optical to radio frequency conversion units, and an analog beamforming network (ABFN). The OBFN forms a beam in the optical domain and includes an optical delay module for providing a true time delay in the optical domain to an optical signal received by the OBFN to introduce a coarse delayed optical signal. The optical to radio frequency (RF) conversion units convert the coarse delayed optical signal from the optical domain to the RF domain to obtain a coarse delayed RF signal. The ABFN forms a plurality of phase-shifted signals and provides the phase-shifted signals to corresponding array elements of an array system. The ABFN includes an analog delay module configured to provide at least one fine phase shift to the coarse delayed analog signal to obtain the delayed signals.

Abstract: A dual band radiating element and modular antenna array suitable for application in space communications is provided. The dual band radiating element comprises a stacked patch antenna for transmitting RF signal of a first signal frequency band (e.g. S-Band) and receiving RF signals of a second signal frequency band (e.g. L-Band). The concentric design of the radiating element can achieve savings in material and mass compared to other stacked patch antennas. For effective operation in space applications, a first radiation patch in the radiating element is isolated from a second radiation patch by shielding a feed pin to the first radiation patch as it travels through the dielectric layer separating the patches. Individual radiating elements can be attached to individual filter/amplification units in a modular antenna array allowing for individual components to be easily installed, repaired or replaced with minimal impact to the rest of the antenna array and/or spacecraft.

Abstract: A system for calibrating an antenna is provided. The system includes a processing unit configured to operate the antenna in a transmit calibration mode or a receive calibration mode. In a transmit calibration mode, the processing unit is configured to cause: a test waveform generator to generate a first test waveform signal and provide the first test waveform signal to an antenna and a comparison module; to obtain the first test waveform signal from the test waveform generator and transmit the first test waveform signal; a probe, about the antenna, to receive a first received waveform signal and provide the first received waveform signal to the comparison module; the comparison module to obtain the first received waveform signal from the probe and compare the first test waveform signal to the first received waveform signal to determine at least one calibration factor to be applied to the antenna.

Abstract: A dual band radiating element and modular antenna array suitable for application in space communications is provided. The dual band radiating element comprises a stacked patch antenna for transmitting RF signal of a first signal frequency band (e.g. S-Band) and receiving RF signals of a second signal frequency band (e.g. L-Band). The concentric design of the radiating element can achieve savings in material and mass compared to other stacked patch antennas. For effective operation in space applications, a first radiation patch in the radiating element is isolated from a second radiation patch by shielding a feed pin to the first radiation patch as it travels through the dielectric layer separating the patches. Individual radiating elements can be attached to individual filter/amplification units in a modular antenna array allowing for individual components to be easily installed, repaired or replaced with minimal impact to the rest of the antenna array and/or spacecraft.

Abstract: A steerable antenna configuration having all actuators and the feed source mounted on a stationary side of the antenna thereby eliminating the need of having to supply power and/or communication signal through, a rotation mechanism. A first actuator rotates a reflector assembly about a first axis, and a second actuator rotates at least a main reflector of the reflector assembly about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The second axis is rotatable about the first axis via the first actuator.

Abstract: A steerable antenna configuration having all actuators and the feed source mounted on a stationary side of the antenna thereby eliminating the need of having to supply power and/or communication signal through, a rotation mechanism. A first actuator rotates a reflector assembly about a first axis, and a second actuator rotates at least a main reflector of the reflector assembly about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The second axis is rotatable about the first axis via the first actuator.