Abstract: The invention includes various embodiments of integrated dual-band printed antenna feeds having various combinations of electrical and structural components for use with a prime focus, ring focus, or Cassegrain dish antennas. All of the embodiments of dual-band antenna feeds disclosed herein are configured to be fabricated as a single structure using metal additive manufacturing techniques.

Abstract: The invention includes various embodiments of integrated dual-band printed antenna feeds having various combinations of electrical and structural components for use with a prime focus, ring focus, or Cassegrain dish antennas. All of the embodiments of dual-band antenna feeds disclosed herein are configured to be fabricated as a single structure using metal additive manufacturing techniques.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include waveguide switch rotors, stators, waveguide switch housings and meander clamping mechanisms. Embodiments of a meander clamping mechanism may be used to connect arbitrary objects to one another. A meander clamping mechanism is particularly useful for connecting a rotor to a motor shaft and also for securing a bearing between a stator and rotor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include waveguide switch rotors, stators, waveguide switch housings and meander clamping mechanisms. In particular, the waveguide switch rotor design employs isolation posts surrounding waveguide ports disposed on the external face of the rotor to achieve an artificial magnetic boundary condition to achieve high isolation with improved gap from rotor to stator.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an integrated monopulse comparator assembly for use in tracking antenna applications such as an antenna feed or an antenna array. Embodiments of the monopulse comparator assembly may include four rectangular waveguide antenna inputs, four magic tees, rectangular waveguide connections, and four rectangular waveguide monopulse outputs. An embodiment of a 4×4 antenna array including an embodiment of an integrated monopulse comparator assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: Optimizations are provided in the design and fabrication of a parabolic antenna reflector. In particular, a parabolic antenna reflector comprises an inner reflective face being formed in a parabolic shape and a first outer circumferential portion. The parabolic antenna also includes an outer face being formed in a different parabolic shape and a second circumferential portion. The first outer circumferential portion is coupled to the second outer circumferential portion to form an inner body between the inner reflective face and the outer face. This inner body includes a monopulse comparator waveguide. As a result, the monopulse comparator waveguide is embedded between the inner reflective face and the outer face. In some instances, this waveguide includes one or more bends. Additionally, in some instances, the parabolic antenna reflector is fabricated using additive manufacturing techniques such that the parabolic antenna reflector is a single printed unit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include waveguide switch rotors, stators, waveguide switch housings and meander clamping mechanisms. In particular, the waveguide switch rotor design employs isolation posts surrounding waveguide ports disposed on the external face of the rotor to achieve an artificial magnetic boundary condition to achieve high isolation with improved gap from rotor to stator.

Abstract: A monopulse tracker includes multiple dual-axis monopulse antenna systems that are angled with respect to one another. The orientations of the monopulse antenna systems create a much larger field of view for the monopulse tracker to eliminate the need to steer the monopulse tracker. The monopulse tracker can be configured to estimate a position of an object based on tracking information received from more than one monopulse antenna system therefore increasing the accuracy of the estimated position. The multiple monopulse antenna systems can be arranged in a low-profile housing to facilitate use of the monopulse tracker on aircraft.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an integrated single-piece antenna feed and a turnstile circular polarizer suitable for use in a satellite communications system. One embodiment of the integrated single-piece antenna includes a circular waveguide input, a turnstile, a coaxial feed horn, subreflector and subreflector support. Alternative embodiments utilize symmetrically oriented struts with or without a coaxial subreflector support to physically support a subreflector.

Abstract: The invention includes various embodiments of integrated dual-band printed antenna feeds having various combinations of electrical and structural components for use with a prime focus, ring focus, or Cassegrain dish antennas. All of the embodiments of dual-band antenna feeds disclosed herein are configured to be fabricated as a single structure using metal additive manufacturing techniques.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an integrated monopulse comparator assembly for use in tracking antenna applications such as an antenna feed or an antenna array. Embodiments of the monopulse comparator assembly may include four rectangular waveguide antenna inputs, four magic tees, rectangular waveguide connections, and four rectangular waveguide monopulse outputs. An embodiment of a 4×4 antenna array including an embodiment of an integrated monopulse comparator assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A transmitter or receiver can include a phased array antenna system in which multiple characteristics of a transmitted or received beam can be controlled electronically. For example, in embodiments that include a transmitter, dual outputs of N signal modifiers can be connected to orthogonal inputs of N dual-orthogonally polarized antenna elements. Each signal modifier can modify the amplitude and phase of a communications signal in two parallel signal paths to produce two signal components each of which is an amplitude-modified/phase-shifted version of the communication signal. Multiple characteristics of the combined beam can be simultaneously controlled by setting the amplitude and/or phase-shift parameter values in the dual signal paths in the signal modifiers to combined values that individually affect each of the multiple characteristics of the combined beam.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an integrated single-piece antenna feed and a turnstile circular polarizer suitable for use in a satellite communications system. One embodiment of the integrated single-piece antenna includes a circular waveguide input, a turnstile, a coaxial feed horn, subreflector and subreflector support. Alternative embodiments utilize symmetrically oriented struts with or without a coaxial subreflector support to physically support a subreflector.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an integrated single-piece antenna feed and a turnstile circular polarizer suitable for use in a satellite communications system. One embodiment of the integrated single-piece antenna includes a circular waveguide input, a turnstile, a coaxial feed horn, subreflector and subreflector support. One embodiment of the turnstile features four branches of wrapped-single-ridged waveguide. Another embodiment is a turnstile circular polarizer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an integrated single-piece antenna feed and a turnstile circular polarizer suitable for use in a satellite communications system. One embodiment of the integrated single-piece antenna includes a circular waveguide input, a turnstile, a coaxial feed horn, subreflector and subreflector support. One embodiment of the turnstile features four branches of wrapped-single-ridged waveguide. Another embodiment is a turnstile circular polarizer.

Abstract: A phase shifting component of a waveguide comparator subsystem can effect a relative phase shift that advances an input signal A relative to an input signal B. A comparator component can then split those signals such that a first part of signal A and a second part of signal B are combined at a difference port, and a first part of signal B and a second part of signal A are combined at a sum port. The comparator can delay the phase of the second parts of the signals such that, with the relative phase shift of the phase shifting component, the first part of signal A and the second part of signal B are one-hundred eighty degrees (180°) out of phase at the difference port, and the second part of signal A and the first part of signal B are in phase at the sum port.