Abstract: Systems and methods for a steered beam horn antenna are provided. In one embodiment, a steered beam horn antenna system comprises: a steerable horn antenna comprising: an adjustable flare component; and a waveguide component having a rear port that opens to a waveguide interface and a frontal port that opens to the adjustable flare component. The adjustable flare component includes: a first outer horn plate configured to rotate about a first pivot line; and a second outer horn plate configured to rotate about a second pivot line. The system further comprises at least one actuator and a controller that operates the actuator to position the first and second outer horn plates into asymmetrical positions with respect to a boresight axis of the steerable horn antenna in response to an input command.

Abstract: A mode filter for an antenna having at least one element aperture is provided. The mode filter includes at least one waveguide extension to extend the at least one element aperture, and at least one two-by-two (2×2) array of quad-ridged waveguide sections connected to a respective at least one waveguide extension. When the at least one waveguide extension is positioned between the at least one element aperture and the at least one two-by-two (2×2) array of quad-ridged waveguide sections, undesired electromagnetic modes of the antenna are suppressed.

Abstract: A rotatable reflector antenna system that supports on-the-move communications to and from a mobile land, airborne, or maritime vehicle with a remote communication device, such as a geostationary satellite. The antenna system can include a pillbox antenna, a line feed antenna, or an array of horn antennas that convey electromagnetic waves between a transceiver (transmitter and/or receiver) and a reflector. The reflector may be embodied as a singly curved, parabolic cylinder reflector coupled to support members in a manner that enables the reflector to rotate with respect to the antenna. The reflector can rotate in a first direction, such as an elevation rotation, and the entire antenna system including the reflector can be mounted to a turntable or other rotatable platform that rotates in a second direction, such as an azimuth rotation.

Abstract: A radiating element having a transition from a waveguide to a dipole radiator. The radiating element utilizes the electric field of electromagnetic waves propagating in the waveguide to excite a section of a microstrip transmission line that is collinear with the waveguide's propagation direction. A waveguide septum guides the electric field of the electromagnetic waves into the transmission line and provides impedance matching. The transmission line can be formed on a first side of a dielectric substrate having a ground plane on a second side of the substrate. A first dipole leg is formed by making a ninety degree turn in the transmission line. A second dipole leg is extended from the ground plane and turned opposite from the first dipole leg. The transmission line includes a transformer having stepped or gradual changes in width of the transmission line leading to the dipole to provide additional impedance matching.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a dual polarization feed are provided. In at least one embodiment, a system comprises a polarization transition waveguide that comprises a first waveguide transmission line; an electrical transmission line, wherein a first electromagnetic signal propagating through the first waveguide transmission line propagates between the first waveguide transmission line and the electrical transmission line; and a dipole radiator coupled to the electrical transmission line, wherein the dipole radiator radiates the first electromagnetic signal in an orthogonal polarization to the polarization of the first electromagnetic signal when the first electromagnetic signal propagates in the first waveguide transmission line.

Abstract: Controlling an antenna's polarization sense. An antenna system includes a polarized antenna and a mechanism for controlling the polarization sense of the antenna. The controlling mechanism can include rotatable polarizer panels disposed between the antenna's aperture and the antenna's target. The polarizer panels are rotated to switch between polarization senses. The polarizer panels can comprise meander line polarizers that convert the polarization sense of a linear polarized antenna to a circularly polarized antenna and vice-versa. The meander line polarizers can be rotated from a position in which the meander line polarizer panels convert between linear polarization and right-hand-circular (“RHC”) polarization to a position that converts between linear polarization and left-hand-circular (“LHC”) polarization. The polarizer panels can be rotated using a mechanical system that rotates the polarizer panels based on a signal received from a remote device.

Abstract: A mode filter for an antenna having at least one element aperture is provided. The mode filter includes at least one waveguide extension to extend the at least one element aperture, and at least one two-by-two (2×2) array of quad-ridged waveguide sections connected to a respective at least one waveguide extension. When the at least one waveguide extension is positioned between the at least one element aperture and the at least one two-by-two (2×2) array of quad-ridged waveguide sections, undesired electromagnetic modes of the antenna are suppressed.

Abstract: A rotatable reflector antenna system that supports on-the-move communications to and from a mobile land, airborne, or maritime vehicle with a remote communication device, such as a geostationary satellite. The antenna system can include a pillbox antenna, a line feed antenna, or an array of horn antennas that convey electromagnetic waves between a transceiver (transmitter and/or receiver) and a reflector. The reflector may be embodied as a singly curved, parabolic cylinder reflector coupled to support members in a manner that enables the reflector to rotate with respect to the antenna. The reflector can rotate in a first direction, such as an elevation rotation, and the entire antenna system including the reflector can be mounted to a turntable or other rotatable platform that rotates in a second direction, such as an azimuth rotation.

Abstract: A radiating element having a transition from a waveguide to a dipole radiator. The radiating element utilizes the electric field of electromagnetic waves propagating in the waveguide to excite a section of a microstrip transmission line that is collinear with the waveguide's propagation direction. A waveguide septum guides the electric field of the electromagnetic waves into the transmission line and provides impedance matching. The transmission line can be formed on a first side of a dielectric substrate having a ground plane on a second side of the substrate. A first dipole leg is formed by making a ninety degree turn in the transmission line. A second dipole leg is extended from the ground plane and turned opposite from the first dipole leg. The transmission line includes a transformer having stepped or gradual changes in width of the transmission line leading to the dipole to provide additional impedance matching.

Abstract: A broadband bicone antenna supports frequency selective control of electrical length. Frequency selective control of the electrical length of an antenna can provide an antenna exhibiting two or more different electrical lengths where use of each length depends upon the operating frequencies of the signals. The electrical length of the bicone antenna may be reduced in response to higher operating frequencies. Such reduction in electrical length at higher frequencies can provide improved antenna radiation patterns for the antenna. Further, the electrical length of the bicone antenna may be increased in response to low frequency operation. Such increase in electrical length may improve VSWR performance at lower frequencies. Simultaneous operation of the bicone antenna at varied electrical lengths for varied frequency bands can provide improved broadband performance of the antenna.

Abstract: Controlling an antenna's polarization sense. An antenna system includes a polarized antenna and a mechanism for controlling the polarization sense of the antenna. The controlling mechanism can include rotatable polarizer panels disposed between the antenna's aperture and the antenna's target. The polarizer panels are rotated to switch between polarization senses. The polarizer panels can comprise meander line polarizers that convert the polarization sense of a linear polarized antenna to a circularly polarized antenna and vice-versa. The meander line polarizers can be rotated from a position in which the meander line polarizer panels convert between linear polarization and right-hand-circular (“RHC”) polarization to a position that converts between linear polarization and left-hand-circular (“LHC”) polarization. The polarizer panels can be rotated using a mechanical system that rotates the polarizer panels based on a signal received from a remote device.

Abstract: A broadband bicone antenna supports frequency selective control of electrical length. Frequency selective control of the electrical length of an antenna can provide an antenna exhibiting two or more different electrical lengths where use of each length depends upon the operating frequencies of the signals. The electrical length of the bicone antenna may be reduced in response to higher operating frequencies. Such reduction in electrical length at higher frequencies can provide improved antenna radiation patterns for the antenna. Further, the electrical length of the bicone antenna may be increased in response to low frequency operation. Such increase in electrical length may improve VSWR performance at lower frequencies. Simultaneous operation of the bicone antenna at varied electrical lengths for varied frequency bands can provide improved broadband performance of the antenna.

Abstract: A waveguide-implemented antenna comprising a planar array of waveguide slot radiators for communicating electromagnetic signals exhibiting simultaneous dual polarization states. The antenna can consist of parallel ridged waveguides having rectangular or "T"-shaped ridged cross sections. The ridged walls of each parallel ridged waveguide contain a linear array of input slots for receiving (transmitting) electromagnetic signals having a first polarization state from (to) the parallel ridged waveguides and for transmitting (receiving) those signals into (from) a corresponding array of cavity sections. The cavity sections comprise a short section of uniform waveguide with a thickness of much less than a wavelength in the propagation direction. The cavity sections feed to output slots which are rotated relative to the input slots; such that the output slots exhibit a second polarization state, which they radiate (receive) to (from) free space.

Abstract: A waveguide-implemented antenna comprising a planar array of waveguide slot radiators for communicating electromagnetic signals exhibiting simultaneous dual polarization states. The antenna can consist of parallel waveguides of rectangular or ridged cross section. The broadwalls of each parallel waveguide contain a linear array of input slots for receiving (transmitting) electromagnetic signals having a first polarization state from (to) the parallel waveguide and for transmitting (receiving) those signals into (from) an array of cavity sections. The cavity sections comprise a short section of uniform waveguide with a length of much less than a wavelength in the propagation direction. The cavity sections feed to output slots which are rotated relative to the input slots; such that the output slots exhibit a second polarization state, which they radiate (receive) to (from) free space.

Abstract: An antenna fabrication scheme for shaped reflector analyzes the geometry of the shaped reflector to be fabricated. On the basis of this analysis, a surface of revolution which closely approximates the shaped reflector is defined. The axis of revolution of the generated surface can then be employed by a single reflector shaping tool to describe the surface of revolution a portion of which approximates that of the desired shaped reflector. The shaped reflector is then effectively removed from the described surface by defining the perimeter of the shaped reflector on the surface of revolution.

Abstract: An antenna fabrication scheme for shaped reflectors analyzes the geometry of the shaped reflector to be fabricated. On the basis of this analysis, a surface of revolution which closely approximates the shaped reflector is defined. The axis of revolution of the generated surface can then be employed by a single reflector shaping tool to describe the surface of revolution a portion of which approximates that of the desired shaped reflector. The shaped reflector is then effectively removed from the described surface by defining the perimeter of the shaped reflector on the surface of revolution.