Abstract: A antenna array (20) includes a plurality of periodic or aperiodic arranged sub-arrays (22). Each sub-array (22) includes a plurality of antenna elements (32) arranged in the form of a spiral (30). The sub-arrays (22) can comprise various spiral shapes to provide the required physical configuration and operational parameters to the antenna array (20). The elements (32) of each sub-array (22) are arranged to minimize the number of such elements (32) that intersect imaginary planes perpendicular to the spiral and passing through the spiral center. Such an orientation of the elements (32) minimizes grating lobes in the antenna pattern.

Abstract: A phased array antenna (10) includes a plurality of subarray lattices (16) arranged in an aperiodic array lattice (14). Each subarray lattice (16) includes a plurality of antenna elements (20) arranged in an aperiodic configuration such as formed on a multilayer circuit board (24). Electronic circuitry (26) are supported by the circuit board and mounted between the antenna elements (20) and operatively connected thereto for amplifying, phase shifting and beam forming any transmitted or received signals.

Abstract: A transmission line phase shifter includes a substrate, and first and second conductive portions adjacent the substrate with a gap therebetween. The first and second conductive portions define a signal path. A body is in the gap and includes a phase shifting material having a controllable dielectric constant for causing a phase shift of a signal through the signal path. The body has an enlarged width medial portion tapering downwards in width towards respective end portions for impedance matching with the first and second conductive portions. The width of the tapered end portions of the phase shifting material body are selected so that a separate impedance matching network is not required for impedance matching with the first and second conductive portions.

Abstract: A phased array antenna includes a plurality of antenna elements and a phase shifting device connected to the plurality of antenna elements. The phase shifting device includes a substrate, and a plurality of phase shifters on the substrate. Each phase shifter includes a first conductive portion adjacent the substrate and defining a signal path, and a body adjacent the first conductive portion and comprising a phase shifting material having a controllable dielectric constant for causing a phase shift of a signal being conducted through the signal path. The bodies are laterally spaced apart from one another, and may have a thickness equal to or greater than about 0.002 inches. In forming the phased array antenna, each body is bonded to respective signal paths using production surface mount or similar machines.

Abstract: A transmission line phase shifter includes a substrate, and first and second conductive portions adjacent the substrate with a gap therebetween. The first and second conductive portions define a signal path. A body is in the gap and includes a phase shifting material having a controllable dielectric constant for causing a phase shift of a signal through the signal path. The body has an enlarged width medial portion tapering downwards in width towards respective end portions for impedance matching with the first and second conductive portions. The width of the tapered end portions of the phase shifting material body are selected so that a separate impedance matching network is not required for impedance matching with the first and second conductive portions.

Abstract: A polarization controllable lens is disclosed for receiving and re-radiating linearly polarized electromagnetic energy. The lens is comprised of a pair of spaced apart multiarm/antenna elements of opposite geometric polarization. The elements are located on opposite sides of a ground plane and are spaced therefrom by 1/4 wave length. The arms of the two antenna elements are constructed of different lengths such that the right-hand circular polarized and left-hand circular polarized components of a linearly polarized signal experience different phase delays while being received and then re-radiated. As a result, the linear polarization state of the re-radiated energy is rotated by an amount proportional to such difference in lengths.

Abstract: A polarization insensitive lens is disclosed for receiving and reradiating electromagnetic energy, which may be either left-hand circular polarized or right-hand circular polarized or of any linear polarization or, in fact, of any polarization state. Each lens is comprised of a pair of spaced apart multiarm/antenna elements of opposite geometric polarization. The elements are located on opposite sides of a ground plane and spaced therefrom by 1/4 wave length. The arms of each antenna element are constructed such that both right-hand circular polarized and left circular polarized signals received by one element experience the same phase delay while being transmitted and then reradiated from the other antenna element.

Abstract: A direct fed spiral antenna element array is disclosed for radiating electromagnetic energy. Each antenna element is a multi-arm spiral element having inner and outer ends. Phase shifting is obtained with internal phase control wherein switching means serve to interconnect selected ones of the inner arm ends. Each such antenna element is directly fed by a feed network which feeds currents directly to the outer ends of the spiral arms.

Abstract: A multiple beam antenna having either a main reflector or a lens is illuminated by a feed system comprising a number of primary radiators such as dipole elements. Primary radiation from each dipole element reflects from the principal reflector to produce a different respective one of the multiple secondary beams in the remote field. A disk-shaped electrically conductive director is located in the primary radiation path near each primary radiator. Each director operates both to shape the primary pattern of its respective primary radiator directly, and also to excite parasitic radiation in neighboring primary radiators so as to produce a primary radiation pattern whose shape approximates a sector of a circle, thereby producing high illumination efficiency at the main reflector. The desired sector shape of primary pattern is achieved despite relatively close lateral spacing between adjacent primary radiators of the feed system.