Abstract: Antennas with integrated varactor circuits are described. The antenna may comprise metasurface antennas. In some embodiments, an antenna comprises an array of antenna elements, wherein each antenna element comprises a iris and a varactor diode integrated on an integrated circuit (IC) chip coupled across a portion of the iris. The antenna can also comprise a plurality of transistors, each transistor coupled to a distinct one of the varactor diodes in the array of antenna elements to provide a tuning voltage to the one varactor diode.

Abstract: Backplane architectures for metasurface antennas and methods for driving amplifiers with the same are disclosed. In some embodiments, the metasurface antenna includes: a plurality of radio-frequency radiating antenna elements; a plurality of tuning elements coupled to the plurality of radio-frequency radiating antenna elements, wherein each tuning element of the plurality of tuning elements is associated with one antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements; a plurality of amplifiers coupled to the plurality of radio-frequency radiating antenna elements, wherein each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers is associated with one antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements; and drive circuitry coupled to the plurality of antenna elements, the plurality of amplifiers and the plurality of tuning elements, configured to drive individually each of the plurality of antenna elements and the plurality of amplifiers.

Abstract: Processes and apparatuses for antenna frequency matching are disclosed. In one embodiment, a calibration process for an antenna having radio-frequency (RF) radiating antenna elements comprises: determining resonance frequencies of RF radiating antenna elements in a group of RF radiating antenna elements; selecting voltages to apply to the RF radiating antenna elements to cause resonance frequencies to match between the RF radiating antenna elements in the group of RF radiating antenna elements when the voltages are applied; and storing, in memory of the antenna, voltage information indicative of the voltages for driving the RF radiating antenna elements in the group.

Abstract: Antennas and methods for using the same are disclosed. In some embodiments, an antenna includes a metasurface having radiating antenna elements and amplifiers configured to amplify signals for the radiating antenna elements, wherein, for each of the radiating antenna elements, the metasurface includes one or both of: a receive path having a low noise amplifier (LNA) configured to amplify a first set of received signals, at least one radiating antenna element configured to receive the first set of received signals, and a transmit path having a power amplifier (PA) configured to amplify a second set of transmit signals, the second set of transmit signals to be transmitted from the one radiating antenna element.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for performing optical inspection of varactor diodes in an antenna are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method of testing an antenna having varactor diodes comprises: selecting a plurality of varactor diodes to be placed in a light emitting state; forward biasing the selected varactor diodes to a magnitude at which the selected varactor diodes are to emit light; and detecting one or more faulty varactor diodes of the selected varactor diodes based on their emitted light intensity.

Abstract: Processes and apparatuses for antenna frequency matching are disclosed. In one embodiment, a calibration process for an antenna having radio-frequency (RF) radiating antenna elements comprises: determining resonance frequencies of RF radiating antenna elements in a group of RF radiating antenna elements; selecting voltages to apply to the RF radiating antenna elements to cause resonance frequencies to match between the RF radiating antenna elements in the group of RF radiating antenna elements when the voltages are applied; and storing, in memory of the antenna, voltage information indicative of the voltages for driving the RF radiating antenna elements in the group.

Abstract: A multibeam antenna and method of using the same are described. In one embodiment, the antenna comprises an aperture having a plurality of radio-frequency (RF) radiating antenna elements. The RF radiating antenna elements generate a plurality of beams simultaneously in different directions in response to a first modulation pattern for holographic beamforming applied to the plurality of RF radiating antenna elements to establish all beams of the plurality of beams such that antenna elements of the plurality of RF radiating antenna elements contribute to all beams in the plurality of beams concurrently. The antenna also includes a controller coupled to the aperture to generate the first modulation pattern.

Abstract: An antenna apparatus having a peripheral radio-frequency (RF) choke with directional heat transfer is described. In some embodiments, an antenna apparatus comprises: an upper enclosure portion; a lower enclosure portion coupled to the upper enclosure portion to form an inner area; an antenna aperture having a plurality of antenna elements, the plurality of antenna elements to radiate radio-frequency (RF) energy and the antenna aperture to generate heat when in operation; and an RF choke gasket between, and forming a thermal communication, with the upper and lower enclosures to operate as an RF absorber to absorb RF energy and to directionally transfer the heat toward the upper enclosure.

Abstract: A multibeam antenna and method of using the same are described. In one embodiment, the antenna comprises an aperture having a plurality of radio-frequency (RF) radiating antenna elements. The RF radiating antenna elements generate a plurality of beams simultaneously in different directions in response to a first modulation pattern for holographic beamforming applied to the plurality of RF radiating antenna elements to establish all beams of the plurality of beams such that antenna elements of the plurality of RF radiating antenna elements contribute to all beams in the plurality of beams concurrently. The antenna also includes a controller coupled to the aperture to generate the first modulation pattern.

Abstract: Antennas with tunable elements and methods for using the same are disclosed. In some embodiments, an antenna comprises: a plurality of radio-frequency (RF) radiating antenna elements, wherein each antenna element of the plurality of RF radiating antenna elements comprises a tunable element, circuitry connected to the tuning element to set a voltage on the tunable element. In some embodiments, the circuitry comprises a voltage storage structure, a first transistor having a first gate connected to the voltage storage structure, a first source connected to the tunable element, and a first drain for coupling to a constant voltage source, and a data voltage input terminal operable to apply a voltage to the voltage storage structure and to the first gate to determine current through the first transistor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for performing optical inspection of varactor diodes in an antenna are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method of testing an antenna having varactor diodes comprises: selecting a plurality of varactor diodes to be placed in a light emitting state; forward biasing the selected varactor diodes to a magnitude at which the selected varactor diodes are to emit light; and detecting one or more faulty varactor diodes of the selected varactor diodes based on their emitted light intensity.

Abstract: Antennas such as flat panel, leaky wave antennas with directional coupler feeds and waveguides are disclosed. In one example, an antenna includes a surface having antenna elements, a guided wave transmission line, and a coupling surface. The guided wave transmission line provides a guided feed wave. The coupling surface is between and separates the guided wave transmission line and the surface having antenna elements. The coupling surface controls coupling of the guided feed wave to the antenna elements. The coupling surface can also spatially filter the guided feed wave to provide a more uniform power density for the antenna elements. The guided feed wave can be a high power density electromagnetic wave or a density radially decaying electromagnetic wave.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for impedance matching for an antenna aperture are described. In one embodiment, the antenna comprises an antenna aperture having at least one array of antenna elements operable to radiate radio frequency (RF) energy and an integrated composite stack structure coupled to the antenna aperture. The integrated composite stack structure includes a wide angle impedance matching network to provide impedance matching between the antenna aperture and free space and also puts dipole loading on antenna elements.

Abstract: Antennas with integrated varactor circuits are described. The antenna may comprise metasurface antennas. In some embodiments, an antenna comprises an array of antenna elements, wherein each antenna element comprises a iris and a varactor diode integrated on an integrated circuit (IC) chip coupled across a portion of the iris. The antenna can also comprise a plurality of transistors, each transistor coupled to a distinct one of the varactor diodes in the array of antenna elements to provide a tuning voltage to the one varactor diode.

Abstract: A variable angle locking implant includes a bone plate having a lower surface, an upper surface, and at least one opening extending from the lower surface to the upper surface along an axis. The opening has a plurality of fins oriented along a plane. The axis is non-perpendicular to a tangent of a projection of the lower surface across the opening, the tangent defined at the intersection between the axis and the projected lower surface, and/or the plane is non-parallel to the tangent. The implant includes at least one fastener, and the plurality of fins are deflectable relative to a head portion of the fastener such that the fastener can be inserted and retained at any one of a plurality of angles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for impedance matching for an antenna aperture are described. In one embodiment, the antenna comprises an antenna aperture having at least one array of antenna elements operable to radiate radio frequency (RF) energy and an integrated composite stack structure coupled to the antenna aperture. The integrated composite stack structure includes a wide angle impedance matching network to provide impedance matching between the antenna aperture and free space and also puts dipole loading on antenna elements.

Abstract: A multibeam antenna and method of using the same are described. In one embodiment, the antenna comprises an aperture having a plurality of radio-frequency (RF) radiating antenna elements. The RF radiating antenna elements generate a plurality of beams simultaneously in different directions in response to a first modulation pattern for holographic beamforming applied to the plurality of RF radiating antenna elements to establish all beams of the plurality of beams such that antenna elements of the plurality of RF radiating antenna elements contribute to all beams in the plurality of beams concurrently. The antenna also includes a controller coupled to the aperture to generate the first modulation pattern.

Abstract: A heater for a radio frequency (RF) antenna and method for using the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, an antenna comprises a physical antenna aperture having an array of RF antenna elements; and a plurality of heating elements, each heating element being between pairs of RF elements of the array of RF elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for RF ripple correction in an antenna aperture are described. In one embodiment, the antenna comprises: an array of antenna elements having liquid crystal (LC); drive circuitry coupled to the array and having a plurality of drivers, each driver of the plurality of drivers coupled to an antenna element of the array and operable to apply a drive voltage to the antenna element; and radio-frequency (RF) ripple correction logic coupled to the drive circuitry to adjust drive voltages to compensate for ripple.