Abstract: A phased array antenna comprising a two dimensional array of lens enhanced radiator units, each radiator unit comprising: a radiator for generating a radio frequency (RF) signal; and a two dimensional phase variable lens group defining an aperture in a transmission path of the RF signal, the lens group comprising a two dimensional array of individually controllable lens elements enabling a varying transmission phase to be applied to the RF signal across the aperture of the lens group. Also, a unit cell of a lens element in a metamaterial sheet, the unit cell comprising a stack of cell layers, each cell layer comprising a volume of nematic liquid crystal with a controllable dielectric value enabling each cell layer to function as tunable resonator.

Abstract: A reflector antenna that includes a feed for generating a radio frequency (RF) signal, and a metasurface reflector for reflecting the RF signal originating from the feed. The metasurface reflector includes an array of cells each having a volume of liquid crystal with a controllable dielectric value enabling a reflection phase of the cells to be selectively tuned to effect beam steering of the reflected RF signal.

Abstract: A dual vertical beam cellular array is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a cellular array includes discrete radiators coupled in pairs and arranged in-line. The radiators are connected to hybrid couplers configured to sum the output from the pairs of discrete radiators. A first power distribution network is configured to receive a first output from the hybrid couplers and produce a first beam, and a second power distribution network configured to receive a second output from the hybrid couplers and produce a second beam. According to some embodiments, the first beam is a main beam with high gain and the second beam is a coverage beam with a large coverage area.

Abstract: An electronically tunable metasurface whose reflective phase can be electronically reconfigured to allow effective antenna beam steering. First and second double sided substrates define an intermediate region between them containing liquid crystal in a nematic phase. The first substrate has a first microstrip patch array formed on a side thereof that faces the second substrate, the first microstrip patch array comprising a two-dimensional array of microstrip patches each being electrically connected to a common potential. The second double sided substrate has a second microstrip patch array formed on a side thereof that faces the first substrate, the second microstrip patch array comprising a two-dimensional array of microstrip patches each having a respective conductive control terminal.

Abstract: A dual vertical beam cellular array is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a cellular array includes discrete radiators coupled in pairs and arranged in-line. The radiators are connected to hybrid couplers configured to sum the output from the pairs of discrete radiators. A first power distribution network is configured to receive a first output from the hybrid couplers and produce a first beam, and a second power distribution network configured to receive a second output from the hybrid couplers and produce a second beam. According to some embodiments, the first beam is a main beam with high gain and the second beam is a coverage beam with a large coverage area.

Abstract: Dual-band antenna elements can be used to construct a dual-beam three-column antenna array. The dual-band antenna elements include both a high-band and a low-band radiating element, which allows the dual-band antenna elements to radiate signals in two frequency bands. The dual-band antenna elements also include a resonating box to isolate the co-located radiating elements from one another, as well as to mitigate inter-band distortion. The dual-band antenna elements may be interleaved with single-band elements to achieve a dual-beam three-column antenna array. Individual elements in the dual-beam three-column antenna array may be separated by non-uniform offsets/spacings to achieve improved performance.

Abstract: Broadband slot-coupled stacked patch antenna elements are capable of continuous broadband operation between 1.71 GHz and 2.69 GHz. The broadband slot-coupled stacked patch antenna element includes a mid-band radiating patch, a high-band radiating patch, and a low-band resonator with coupling slots capable of resonating at low, mid, and high band frequencies. Additionally, a low-profile probe-fed patch element is provided for pattern enhancement of antenna arrays at high-band frequencies. This low-profile patch element features fan-shaped probes that have three degrees of tune-ability, namely a length, a width, and a spreading angle. Further aspects include 3-column and 4-column offset arrays of the broadband patch radiators and an interleaved array of the low-profile high-band patch radiators and the broadband radiating elements. A new type of azimuth beam forming network (ABFN) is also introduced for the beam forming of the 3-column and 4-column dual-beam arrays.

Abstract: A transmitarray, or radio frequency lens, can provide a large variation of time-delay. The transmitarray comprises a number of time-delay unit (TDU) cells that each have a capacitive patch and a rectangular wire loop separated by dielectric material. The rectangular wire loop allows current continuity to be maintained between adjacent TDU cells, even when different sized TDUs are included in the transmitarray.

Abstract: An antenna architecture with a dual-band patch antenna structure having a broadened low-frequency beamwidth is disclosed. The dual band antenna structure comprises a high frequency patch antenna cavity stacked inline above a low frequency patch antenna cavity. An N-shaped metallic wall surrounds the low frequency patch antenna cavity and broadens the emission radiation beamwidth of the low frequency emission. As such, these dual band antenna structures can emit radiation with a beamwidth of approximately 90 degrees in the low frequency band of 700 MHz to 900 MHz as well as the high frequency band of 1.7 GHz to 2.2 GHz.

Abstract: Broadband slot-coupled stacked patch antenna elements are capable of continuous broadband operation between 1.71 GHz and 2.69 GHz. The broadband slot-coupled stacked patch antenna element includes a mid-band radiating patch, a high-band radiating patch, and a low-band resonator with coupling slots capable of resonating at low, mid, and high band frequencies. Additionally, a low-profile probe-fed patch element is provided for pattern enhancement of antenna arrays at high-band frequencies. This low-profile patch element features fan-shaped probes that have three degrees of tune-ability, namely a length, a width, and a spreading angle. Further aspects include 3-column and 4-column offset arrays of the broadband patch radiators and an interleaved array of the low-profile high-band patch radiators and the broadband radiating elements. A new type of azimuth beam forming network (ABFN) is also introduced for the beam forming of the 3-column and 4-column dual-beam arrays.

Abstract: A transmitarray, or radio frequency lens, can provide a large variation of time-delay. The transmitarray comprises a number of time-delay unit (TDU) cells that each have a capacitive patch and a rectangular wire loop separated by dielectric material. The rectangular wire loop allows current continuity to be maintained between adjacent TDU cells, even when different sized TDUs are included in the transmitarray.

Abstract: Cellular array implementations with multiple steerable spotlight beams irradiated from a common aperture are disclosed herein. Such an approach can easily be adapted to suit various geographical population densities and distributions. The array is capable of producing multiple 65-degree cellular coverage beams, which may be used for regular coverage or in MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) mode. The array may also produce multiple steerable beams, or “spotlight” beams. These beams may be relatively narrow and may be steered electronically both in azimuth and elevation directions. By steering the beams in this way, the beams are able to provide cellular services at high-demand “hotspot” regions where high capacity service is required. The spotlight beams may also be used to fill voids or deficiencies caused by regular coverage beams.

Abstract: Methods and systems for Spatial Multiplexing Mu-MIMO radio communications are provided. An antenna array is controlled to establish plural radio beams which are mutually orthogonal in terms of excitation functions and which are differently spatially directed to cover a geographic area. The beams may be arranged in angular space in a pattern of rows, with adjacent rows being offset. To facilitate same, the antenna array may include elements which are offset from neighbouring elements horizontally, vertically, or both. For each terminal, a subset of the radio beams may be selected for communication. The selection may prefer higher-power beams, where power is determined by summing contributions from eigen-channels. Subsets of radio beams may be grouped into orthogonal channels for use in servicing different sets of terminals in different geographic areas, and terminals sharing a channel may further share resources using multi-access techniques.

Abstract: Cellular array implementations with multiple steerable spotlight beams irradiated from a common aperture are disclosed herein. Such an approach can easily be adapted to suit various geographical population densities and distributions. The array is capable of producing multiple 65-degree cellular coverage beams, which may be used for regular coverage or in MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) mode. The array may also produce multiple steerable beams, or “spotlight” beams. These beams may be relatively narrow and may be steered electronically both in azimuth and elevation directions. By steering the beams in this way, the beams are able to provide cellular services at high-demand “hotspot” regions where high capacity service is required. The spotlight beams may also be used to fill voids or deficiencies caused by regular coverage beams.

Abstract: Cellular array implementations with multiple steerable spotlight beams irradiated from a common aperture are disclosed herein. Such an approach can easily be adapted to suit various geographical population densities and distributions. The array is capable of producing multiple 65-degree cellular coverage beams, which may be used for regular coverage or in MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) mode. The array may also produce multiple steerable beams, or “spotlight” beams. These beams may be relatively narrow and may be steered electronically both in azimuth and elevation directions. By steering the beams in this way, the beams are able to provide cellular services at high-demand “hotspot” regions where high capacity service is required. The spotlight beams may also be used to fill voids or deficiencies caused by regular coverage beams.

Abstract: Cellular array implementations with multiple steerable spotlight beams irradiated from a common aperture are disclosed herein. Such an approach can easily be adapted to suit various geographical population densities and distributions. The array is capable of producing multiple 65-degree cellular coverage beams, which may be used for regular coverage or in MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) mode. The array may also produce multiple steerable beams, or “spotlight” beams. These beams may be relatively narrow and may be steered electronically both in azimuth and elevation directions. By steering the beams in this way, the beams are able to provide cellular services at high-demand “hotspot” regions where high capacity service is required. The spotlight beams may also be used to fill voids or deficiencies caused by regular coverage beams.

Abstract: A dual vertical beam cellular array is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a cellular array includes discrete radiators coupled in pairs and arranged in-line. The radiators are connected to hybrid couplers configured to sum the output from the pairs of discrete radiators. A first power distribution network is configured to receive a first output from the hybrid couplers and produce a first beam, and a second power distribution network configured to receive a second output from the hybrid couplers and produce a second beam. According to some embodiments, the first beam is a main beam with high gain and the second beam is a coverage beam with a large coverage area.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring vital signs of one or more living subjects comprises a monitoring station and at least one sensor in communication with the monitoring station. The sensor comprises an antenna system, an ultra wideband radar system coupled to the antenna system, a signal processor and a communication system. The signal processor is connected to receive a signal from the ultra wideband radar system and configured to extract from the signal information about one or more vital signs of a person or animal in a sensing volume corresponding to the antenna system. The communication system is configured to transmit the information to the monitoring station.

Abstract: Broadband slot-coupled stacked patch antenna elements are capable of continuous broadband operation between 1.71 GHz and 2.69 GHz. The broadband slot-coupled stacked patch antenna element includes a mid-band radiating patch, a high-band radiating patch, and a low-band resonator with coupling slots capable of resonating at low, mid, and high band frequencies. Additionally, a low-profile probe-fed patch element is provided for pattern enhancement of antenna arrays at high-band frequencies. This low-profile patch element features fan-shaped probes that have three degrees of tune-ability, namely a length, a width, and a spreading angle. Further aspects include 3-column and 4-column offset arrays of the broadband patch radiators and an interleaved array of the low-profile high-band patch radiators and the broadband radiating elements. A new type of azimuth beam forming network (ABFN) is also introduced for the beam forming of the 3-column and 4-column dual-beam arrays.

Abstract: Dual-band antenna elements can be used to construct a dual-beam three-column antenna array. The dual-band antenna elements include both a high-band and a low-band radiating element, which allows the dual-band antenna elements to radiate signals in two frequency bands. The dual-band antenna elements also include a resonating box to isolate the co-located radiating elements from one another, as well as to mitigate inter-band distortion. The dual-band antenna elements may be interleaved with single-band elements to achieve a dual-beam three-column antenna array. Individual elements in the dual-beam three-column antenna array may be separated by non-uniform offsets/spacings to achieve improved performance.