Abstract: Perimeter truss reflector includes a perimeter truss assembly (PTA) comprised of a plurality of battens, each having an length which traverses a PTA thickness as defined along a direction aligned with a reflector central axis. A collapsible mesh reflector surface is secured to the PTA such that when the PTA is in a collapsed configuration, the reflector surface is collapsed for compact stowage and when the PTA is in the expanded configuration, the reflector surface is expanded to a shape that is configured to concentrate RF energy in a predetermined pattern. Each of the one or more longerons extend around at least a portion of a periphery of the PTA. These longerons each comprise a storable extendible member (SEM) which can be flattened and rolled around a spool, but exhibits beam-like structural characteristics when unspooled.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing a distributed source coding quantization scheme is provided. In one example, two independent but statistically correlated data sources can be asymmetrically compressed so that one source is compressed at a higher ratio than the other. The resulting signals are transmitted and decoded by a receiver. The highly compressed source can utilize the non-highly compressed source as side information so as to minimize the compression loss associated with the higher compression ratio. A conditional codebook can be created that not only depends on the highly compressed quantizer, but also depends on the quantized symbol received from the non-highly compressed data source.

Abstract: A satellite antenna includes first and second extensible booms and first and second sets of ribs carried by the respective first and second extensible booms. A Radio Frequency (RF) reflective film is carried by the first and second sets of ribs. First and second phased array antenna feeds are carried by the respective first and second extensible booms and directed toward the RF reflective film. First and second sets of fiducial devices are carried by the respective first and second sets of ribs. At least one camera is directed toward the first and second sets of fiducial devices to sense a physical distortion of the RF reflective film. A controller cooperates with the at least one camera to operate the first and second sets of phased array antenna feeds to account for sensed physical distortion of the RF reflective film.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing a distributed source coding quantization scheme is provided. In one example, two independent but statistically correlated data sources can be asymmetrically compressed so that one source is compressed at a higher ratio than the other. The resulting signals are transmitted and decoded by a receiver. The highly compressed source can utilize the non-highly compressed source as side information so as to minimize the compression loss associated with the higher compression ratio. A conditional codebook can be created that not only depends on the highly compressed quantizer, but also depends on the quantized symbol received from the non-highly compressed data source.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extending a boom. The methods comprise: placing a drive train assembly in a start configuration in which an engagement member of the drive train assembly is coupled to an inner telescoping segment of the boom; rotating a spool in a first direction so as to unwind a slit-tube that is coupled to the engagement member; causing the inner telescoping segment to move in a direction away from a proximal end of the boom as the slit-tube is being unwound from the spool; and coupling the inner telescoping segment to an adjacent telescoping segment when the inner telescoping segment reaches an extended position. The slit-tube extends a distance inside the boom that is equal to or less than a length of the adjacent telescoping segment when the inner telescoping segment is in the extended position.

Abstract: A reflector antenna system comprising: a hoop assembly configured to expand between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; a mesh reflector secured to the hoop assembly such that when the hoop assembly is in the collapsed configuration the mesh reflector is collapsed within the hoop assembly and when the hoop assembly is in the expanded configuration the mesh reflector is expanded to a shape that is intended to concentrate RF energy in a desired pattern; a mast assembly including an extendible boom to which the hoop assembly is secured by cords; and an antenna feed that is located on a vehicle so as to face a concave surface of the mesh reflector that is intended to concentrate RF energy in the desired pattern.

Abstract: Deployable reflector antenna includes a fabrication hub in which at least one additive fabrication unit disposed. The additive fabrication unit is configured to form at least one rigid structural element of a reflector antenna system. In a stowed condition, an RF reflector material comprised of a flexible webbing is disposed in a stowed configuration proximate to the fabrication hub. A fabrication control system controls the additive fabrication unit so as to form the at least one rigid structural element. The RF reflector material is arranged to transition during the additive fabrication process from the stowed configuration in which the flexible webbing material is furled compactly at the fabrication hub, to a deployed configuration in which the flexible webbing material is unfurled.

Abstract: A radar antenna for a flight vehicle that follows a flight path comprises a radio frequency (RF) reflector, and separated first arrays of first RF feed elements to form, with the reflector, respective first fixed radar beams that are directed at the Earth and positionally offset with respect to each other, such that when the radar antenna follows the flight path, the respective first fixed radar beams trace respective first subswaths on the Earth that are separated from each other by respective subswath gaps.

Abstract: Deployable reflector antenna includes a fabrication hub in which at least one additive fabrication unit disposed. The additive fabrication unit is configured to form at least one rigid structural element of a reflector antenna system. In a stowed condition, an RF reflector material comprised of a flexible webbing is disposed in a stowed configuration proximate to the fabrication hub. A fabrication control system controls the additive fabrication unit so as to form the at least one rigid structural element. The RF reflector material is arranged to transition during the additive fabrication process from the stowed configuration in which the flexible webbing material is furled compactly at the fabrication hub, to a deployed configuration in which the flexible webbing material is unfurled.

Abstract: Antenna reflector has a reflector surface which forms a predetermined dish-like shape. The reflector surface includes an inner section which radially extends a first predetermined distance from a main dish axis. This inner section is immovably supported on a fixed backing structure. The reflector surface also includes an outer section comprising a deployable perimeter. A deployable support structure is comprised of a plurality of rib tips hingedly secured to the fixed backing structure, each having an elongated shape, and extending in a direction away from the main dish axis. The rib tips are configured to rotate on hinge members relative to the fixed backing structure from a first position in which the reflector antenna is made more compact for stowage, to a second position in which a diameter of the reflector surface is increased at a time of deployment.

Abstract: A reflector system includes a hoop assembly formed of a plurality of link members extending between a plurality of hinge bodies. The link members have an expanded configuration wherein the link members define a circumferential hoop having a central hoop axis. A collapsible mesh reflector surface is secured to the hoop such that when the hoop assembly is in the expanded configuration, the reflector surface is expanded to a shape that is intended to concentrate RF energy. A mast assembly includes an extendible boom aligned along a central boom axis. The hoop assembly is secured by a plurality of cords relative to the boom such that when the hoop is expanded, a central hoop axis is laterally offset a predetermined distance from the central boom axis.

Abstract: A reflector system includes a hoop assembly formed of a plurality of link members extending between a plurality of hinge bodies. The link members have an expanded configuration wherein the link members define a circumferential hoop having a central hoop axis. A collapsible mesh reflector surface is secured to the hoop such that when the hoop assembly is in the expanded configuration, the reflector surface is expanded to a shape that is intended to concentrate RF energy. A mast assembly includes an extendible boom aligned along a central boom axis. The hoop assembly is secured by a plurality of cords relative to the boom such that when the hoop is expanded, a central hoop axis is laterally offset a predetermined distance from the central boom axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an antenna with a tension cord network coupled to a plurality of anchor points of a perimeter hoop structure. The methods comprise: using the tension cord network to support a flexible antenna reflector surface such that a given shape of the flexible antenna reflector surface is provided; and allowing locations of the anchor points to change relative to the tension cord network while the antenna is in use. The flexible antenna reflector surface is held taut when the locations of the anchor points change relative to the tension cord network.

Abstract: A synthetic aperture radar (SAR) generates concurrent first radar pulses in first frequency channels. The SAR transmits, and receives returns of, the concurrent first radar pulses by first antenna feeds that form first beams in the first frequency channels and that are directed to respective first subswaths of a swath on the Earth separated by subswath gaps. The SAR generates concurrent second radar pulses in second frequency channels. The SAR transmits, and receives returns of, the concurrent second radar pulses by second antenna feeds configured to form second beams in the second frequency channels and that are directed to respective second subswaths of the swath on the Earth and that coincide with the subswath gaps. The SAR processes the returns of the first radar pulses from the first subswaths and the returns of the second radar pulses from the second subswaths to form a SAR image contiguous across the swath.

Abstract: Perimeter truss reflector includes a perimeter truss assembly (PTA) comprised of a plurality of battens, each having an length which traverses a PTA thickness as defined along a direction aligned with a reflector central axis. A collapsible mesh reflector surface is secured to the PTA such that when the PTA is in a collapsed configuration, the reflector surface is collapsed for compact stowage and when the PTA is in the expanded configuration, the reflector surface is expanded to a shape that is configured to concentrate RF energy in a predetermined pattern. Each of the one or more longerons extend around at least a portion of a periphery of the PTA. These longerons each comprise a storable extendible member (SEM) which can be flattened and rolled around a spool, but exhibits beam-like structural characteristics when unspooled.

Abstract: Antenna reflector has a reflector surface which forms a predetermined dish-like shape. The reflector surface includes an inner section which radially extends a first predetermined distance from a main dish axis. This inner section is immovably supported on a fixed backing structure. The reflector surface also includes an outer section comprising a deployable perimeter. A deployable support structure is comprised of a plurality of rib tips hingedly secured to the fixed backing structure, each having an elongated shape, and extending in a direction away from the main dish axis. The rib tips are configured to rotate on hinge members relative to the fixed backing structure from a first position in which the reflector antenna is made more compact for stowage, to a second position in which a diameter of the reflector surface is increased at a time of deployment.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing a distributed source coding quantization scheme is provided. In one example, two independent but statistically correlated data sources can be asymmetrically compressed so that one source is compressed at a higher ratio than the other. The resulting signals are transmitted and decoded by a receiver. The highly compressed source can utilize the non-highly compressed source as side information so as to minimize the compression loss associated with the higher compression ratio. A conditional codebook can be created that not only depends on the highly compressed quantizer, but also depends on the quantized symbol received from the non-highly compressed data source.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing a distributed source coding quantization scheme is provided. In one example, two independent but statistically correlated data sources can be asymmetrically compressed so that one source is compressed at a higher ratio than the other. The resulting signals are transmitted and decoded by a receiver. The highly compressed source can utilize the non-highly compressed source as side information so as to minimize the compression loss associated with the higher compression ratio. A conditional codebook can be created that not only depends on the highly compressed quantizer, but also depends on the quantized symbol received from the non-highly compressed data source.

Abstract: Deployable reflector antenna includes a fabrication hub in which at least one additive fabrication unit disposed. The additive fabrication unit is configured to form at least one rigid structural element of a reflector antenna system. In a stowed condition, an RF reflector material comprised of a flexible webbing is disposed in a stowed configuration proximate to the fabrication hub. A fabrication control system controls the additive fabrication unit so as to form the at least one rigid structural element. The RF reflector material is arranged to transition during the additive fabrication process from the stowed configuration in which the flexible webbing material is furled compactly at the fabrication hub, to a deployed configuration in which the flexible webbing material is unfurled.

Abstract: Folded optics reflector system includes a hoop assembly configured to expand between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration to define a circumferential hoop. A mesh reflector surface is secured to the hoop assembly such that when the hoop assembly is in the expanded configuration, the reflector surface is expanded to a shape that is configured to concentrate RF energy in a desired pattern. The system also includes a mast assembly comprised of an extendible boom. The hoop assembly is secured by a plurality of cords relative to a top and bottom portion of the boom, whereby upon extension of the boom to a deployed condition, the hoop assembly is supported by the boom. A subreflector is disposed at the top portion of the boom.