Abstract: A multi-beam antenna system is described herein that can be used in microwave frequency applications between 1 GHz and 100 GHz. The multi-beam antenna system covers four 90° sectors for full 360° coverage. Each 90° sector is covered with at least 1 narrow steerable transmit (TX) and 1 narrow steerable receive (RX) beam. The beams are steered in the azimuth dimension.

Abstract: An electronically steerable passive array antenna and method for using the array antenna to steer the radiation beams and nulls of a radio signal are described herein. The array antenna includes a radiating antenna element capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals and one or more parasitic antenna elements that are incapable of transmitting or receiving radio signals. Each parasitic antenna element is located on a circumference of a predetermined circle around the radiating antenna element. A voltage-tunable capacitor is connected to each parasitic antenna element. A controller is used to apply a predetermined DC voltage to each one of the voltage-tunable capacitors in order to change the capacitance of each voltage-tunable capacitor and thus enable one to control the directions of the maximum radiation beams and the minimum radiation beams (nulls) of a radio signal emitted from the array antenna.

Abstract: A mesh type wireless communication network includes a plurality of nodes, each node having at least one dynamically directionally controllable communications link, and a network controller for dynamically changing the direction of the controllable communications links of the nodes to enable transmission of signals between the nodes. A hub type wireless communication network includes a hub node having at least one dynamically directionally controllable communications link, a plurality of remote nodes, and a network controller for dynamically controlling the direction of the communications link to enable transmission of signals between the hub node and the remote nodes.

Abstract: A multi-beam antenna system is described herein that can be used in microwave frequency applications between 1 GHz and 100 GHz. The multi-beam antenna system covers four 90° sectors for full 360° coverage. Each 90° sector is covered with at least 1 narrow steerable transmit (TX) and 1 narrow steerable receive (RX) beam. The beams are steered in the azimuth dimension.

Abstract: A switch includes at least two distributed constant lines (21a, 21b) disposed close to each other, a movable element (11) arranged above the distributed constant lines so as to oppose these distributed constant lines and connecting the distributed constant lines to each other in a high-frequency manner upon contacting the distributed constant lines, and a driving means (4) for displacing the movable element by an electrostatic force to bring the movable element into contact with the distributed constant lines. The movable element has at least two projection (32a-32d) formed by notching an overlap portion of the movable element which is located on at least one distributed constant line. The projections oppose a corresponding distributed constant line.

Abstract: This invention provides a phased array antenna comprising an input, a feed network electronically coupled to the input, a plurality of radiating elements, a plurality of continuously voltage tunable phase shifters for receiving signals from the feed network and providing phase shifts for the signals prior to transmitting the signals to the radiating elements, and a controller for controlling the phase shift provided by the phase shifters. The phased array antennas can be configured to produce beams that can be scanned in one dimension (one-dimensional) or two dimensions (two-dimensional) by using continuously adjustable phase shifters that are based on low cost, low loss voltage-tunable dielectric materials.

Abstract: This invention provides a phased array antenna comprising an input, a feed network electronically coupled to the input, a plurality of radiating elements, a plurality of continuously voltage tunable phase shifters for receiving signals from the feed network and providing phase shifts for the signals prior to transmitting the signals to the radiating elements, and a controller for controlling the phase shift provided by the phase shifters. The phased array antennas can be configured to produce beams that can be scanned in one dimension (one-dimensional) or two dimensions (two-dimensional) by using continuously adjustable phase shifters that are based on low cost, low loss voltage-tunable dielectric materials.

Abstract: An antenna apparatus includes: (a) A radial waveguide parallel with a reference plane and having a first conductive element in parallel spaced relation with a second conductive element. The radial waveguide has a first signal coupling locus for coupling signals with a host unit and a plurality of second signal coupling loci. The radial waveguide distributes signals between the first signal coupling locus and the second signal coupling loci. (b) Signal coupling elements, each presenting a respective signal coupling path for effecting signal coupling association with a respective second signal coupling locus. Each signal coupling path is perpendicular with the reference plane. (c) Antenna elements, each associated with a signal coupling element, each a polygonal element parallel with the reference plane. The radial waveguide element, the signal coupling elements and the antenna elements cooperate to transfer electromagnetic signals between the host unit and a medium adjacent to the antenna elements.

Abstract: A tunable electromagnetic transmission structure for effecting coupling of electromagnetic signals having a frequency includes: (a) a dielectric substrate having an opposing first side and second side; (b) at least one first conductive land occupying a first area on the first side; (c) at least two second conductive lands on the second side separated by at least one substantially linear channel; the at least one channel having a width established by the frequency; the at least two second conductive lands and the at least one channel occupying a second area generally in register with the first area; and (d) a tunable dielectric material at least substantially filling the at least one channel; the tunable dielectric layer being electrically coupled with at least two second conductive lands of the at least two second conductive lands.

Abstract: An apparatus for coupling electromagnetic signals from a signal transfer locus for electromagnetic transfer with a proximal medium includes: (a) An antenna element presenting elements in a spaced parallel relation with an antenna plane on a first dielectric substrate. (b) A transmission structure including a second dielectric substrate parallel with a transmission plane perpendicular with the antenna plane and including a slot line structure and a ground plane. The slot line structure has a first end proximal with the signal transfer locus and a second end within electromagnetic coupling range of the antenna element. The ground plane cooperates with the slot line structure and the second dielectric substrate to effect transmission of electromagnetic signals between the first end and the second end. (c) A coupling aperture traverses a respective antenna element adjacent each respective second end in register with the respective second end.

Abstract: A waveguide apparatus for bidirectional distribution of signals includes: (a) a first conductive element parallel with a reference plane; (b) a second conductive element in spaced parallel relation with the first element; (c) a first coupling locus situated in the first element; and (d) second coupling loci arrayed in the second element. Each second coupling locus includes an aperture traversing the second element at a lineal distance from the first coupling locus in a lineal plane perpendicular with the reference plane and containing a line from the first coupling locus. Each aperture has a major and a minor axis. The major axis establishes an installation attitude with respect to the lineal plane. The lineal distance and the installation attitude for each aperture are selected to distribute electromagnetic signals having substantially equal power.

Abstract: An electronically steerable passive array antenna and method for using the array antenna to steer the radiation beams and nulls of a radio signal are described herein. The array antenna includes a radiating antenna element capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals and one or more parasitic antenna elements that are incapable of transmitting or receiving radio signals. Each parasitic antenna element is located on a circumference of a predetermined circle around the radiating antenna element. A voltage-tunable capacitor is connected to each parasitic antenna element. A controller is used to apply a predetermined DC voltage to each one of the voltage-tunable capacitors in order to change the capacitance of each voltage-tunable capacitor and thus enable one to control the directions of the maximum radiation beams and the minimum radiation beams (nulls) of a radio signal emitted from the array antenna.

Abstract: A control line (16a) and control terminal (3a) are disposed farther away from a signal line (2a) than a position of an electrode (11). This reduces the loss of energy flowing in the signal line opened/closed by a micromachine switch.

Abstract: A wireless local area network that utilizes a dynamically reconfigurable wireless network antenna that comprises at least one multi-layered RF module, said at least one RF module further comprising at least one RF connector for receipt of at least one RF signal and at least one layer of tunable dielectric material and one layer of metal fabricated into said RF module; an RF motherboard for acceptance of RF signals and distribution of the transmit energy to said RF module at the appropriate phases to generate a beam in the commanded direction and width; and a controller for determining the correct voltage signal to send to said at least one multi-layered RF module.

Abstract: This invention provides a phased array antenna comprising an input, a feed network electronically coupled to the input, a plurality of radiating elements, a plurality of continuously voltage tunable phase shifters for receiving signals from the feed network and providing phase shifts for the signals prior to transmitting the signals to the radiating elements, and a controller for controlling the phase shift provided by the phase shifters. The phased array antennas can be configured to produce beams that can be scanned in one dimension (one-dimensional) or two dimensions (two-dimensional) by using continuously adjustable phase shifters that are based on low cost, low loss voltage-tunable dielectric materials.

Abstract: This invention provides a phased array antenna comprising an input, a feed network electronically coupled to the input, a plurality of radiating elements, a plurality of continuously voltage tunable phase shifters for receiving signals from the feed network and providing phase shifts for the signals prior to transmitting the signals to the radiating elements, and a controller for controlling the phase shift provided by the phase shifters. The phased array antennas can be configured to produce beams that can be scanned in one dimension (one-dimensional) or two dimensions (two-dimensional) by using continuously adjustable phase shifters that are based on low cost, low loss voltage-tunable dielectric materials.

Abstract: A micromachine includes a switch having a supporting member provided on a substrate. The supporting member is adjacent to a gap between a signal line and the substrate and has a predetermined height with respect to the substrate. A flexible beam member projects from the supporting member generally parallel to the substrate and extends so that part of the flexible member faces the gap. A contact electrode on the beam member faces the gap. A lower electrode on the substrate faces part of the beam member. Part of the beam member is conductive to function as an upper electrode. The thermal expansion coefficients of the beam member are almost symmetric in the thickness direction perpendicular to the substrate surface, at least from the portion at which the beam member is connected to the supporting member to the portion facing the lower electrode.

Abstract: This invention provides a phased array antenna comprising an input, a feed network electronically coupled to the input, a plurality of radiating elements, a plurality of continuously voltage tunable phase shifters for receiving signals from the feed network and providing phase shifts for the signals prior to transmitting the signals to the radiating elements, and a controller for controlling the phase shift provided by the phase shifters. The phased array antennas can be configured to produce beams that can be scanned in one dimension (one-dimensional) or two dimensions (two-dimensional) by using continuously adjustable phase shifters that are based on low cost, low loss voltage-tunable dielectric materials.

Abstract: A switch includes at least two distributed constant lines (2a, 2b) disposed close to each other, a movable element (11) arranged above the distributed constant lines so as to oppose these distributed constant lines and connecting the distributed constant lines to each other in a high-frequency manner upon contacting the distributed constant lines, and a driving means (13) for displacing the movable element by an electrostatic force to bring the movable element into contact with the distributed constant lines. The movable element has a projection (52a, 52b) formed by notching at least one end of an edge of the movable element which is located on at least one distributed constant line side. In this projection, a width (a) serving as a length in a direction parallel to the widthwise direction of the distributed constant lines is smaller than a width (W) of each of the distributed constant lines.

Abstract: A phased array antenna apparatus includes a plurality of radiation elements, a power supply unit, a power distributor, a feed probe, a plurality of electromagnetic coupling units, and a plurality of phase shifters. The radiation elements are aligned and arranged to be electromagnetically driven. The power supply units supply power to the radiation elements. The power distributor has a pair of conductive plates arranged to be parallel to each other and acts as a radial waveguide distributing the power supplied from the power supply unit to the radiation elements. The feed probe is arranged on one of the conductive plates to radiate an electromagnetic wave into the radial waveguide in accordance with the power supplied from the power supply unit. The electromagnetic coupling units are arranged on the other conductive plate in correspondence with the radiation elements to extract the electromagnetic wave radiated from the feed probe and propagating through the radial waveguide by electromagnetic coupling.