Abstract: A method and apparatus for DC offset 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 voltage correction logic coupled to the drive circuitry adjust drive voltages to compensate for an offset between a first magnitude of a first voltage applied to the LC of each antenna element during a first interval of drive polarity and a second magnitude of a second voltage applied to the LC of said each antenna element during a second interval of drive polarity opposite the drive polarity of the first interval.

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 storage capacitor and method for using the same in an antenna aperture are described. In one embodiment, an antenna comprises a physical antenna aperture having first and second substrates forming an array of radio-frequency (RF) radiating antenna elements that are controlled and operable together to form a beam for the frequency band for use in holographic beam steering, wherein each of the antenna elements is coupled to a circuit to supply a voltage to the said each antenna element and a storage capacitor formed with a plurality of conductive layers (e.g., metal layers) on a first substrate, wherein top and bottom conductive layers of the plurality of conductive layers are at a first voltage that is equal to a second voltage on a conductive layer (e.g., a metal layer) of the second substrate to reduce parasitic capacitance produced between the storage capacitor and the conductive layer on the second substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing radio-frequency antenna elements are disclosed.

Abstract: A holographic antenna integrated with photovoltaic cells and method for use of the same are described. In one embodiment, the method for using an antenna comprises receiving position data indicative of an antenna aperture of an antenna after the antenna has been placed in a position to increase capture of solar energy by one or more photovoltaic (PV) structures integrated into a surface of the antenna aperture; and in response to the position data, electronically steering an array of antenna elements of the antenna to redirect a beam toward a satellite based on the position of the antenna while maintaining the position of the antenna for increased capture of the solar energy.

Abstract: A method of assembling an antenna aperture from a plurality of antenna aperture segments is described. The method may include placing a first aperture segment relative to a second aperture segment to partially form the antenna aperture. Furthermore, an overlap of the first aperture segment overlaps a complementary underlap of the second aperture segment at a seam. The method may also include joining the overlap of the first aperture segment to the underlap of the second aperture segment to partially form the antenna aperture.

Abstract: A method of assembling an antenna aperture from a plurality of antenna aperture segments is described. The method may include placing a first aperture segment relative to a second aperture segment to partially form the antenna aperture. Furthermore, an overlap of the first aperture segment overlaps a complementary underlap of the second aperture segment at a seam. The method may also include joining the overlap of the first aperture segment to the underlap of the second aperture segment to partially form the antenna aperture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing radio-frequency antenna elements are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing radio-frequency antenna elements are disclosed.

Abstract: A composite stack-up for an antenna is described. In one embodiment, the antenna is a flat panel metamaterial antenna. In one embodiment, an antenna assembly comprises an antenna element layer having an upper side and a lower side; a first set of one or more layers forming an upper stack bonded to the upper side of the antenna element layer and being are at least partially transparent to radio frequency (RF) radiation; and a second set of one or more layers forming a lower stack bonded to the lower side of the antenna element layer, where the antenna element layer, upper stack and lower stack are bonded together to form a composite stack.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for providing a low-profile terminal for satellite communication. In an embodiment, a communication terminal includes a radome, an array of radio frequency (RF) elements and a foam layer disposed therebetween. The foam layer includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the array of RF elements and the radome are coupled to the foam layer via the first side and the second side, respectively. The communication device provides contiguous structure between the radome and the array of RF elements. In another embodiment, the first side forms a machined surface which contributes to flatness of one or more antenna panels having the array of RF elements disposed therein or thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing radio-frequency antenna elements are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for DC offset 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 voltage correction logic coupled to the drive circuitry adjust drive voltages to compensate for an offset between a first magnitude of a first voltage applied to the LC of each antenna element during a first interval of drive polarity and a second magnitude of a second voltage applied to the LC of said each antenna element during a second interval of drive polarity opposite the drive polarity of the first interval.

Abstract: A water-pressure alarm device can include an inlet that receives water. It can also include a tube in fluid communication with the inlet that reacts based on the pressure of the water within the tube, a link mechanically coupled to the tube, and a movement mechanically coupled to the link. A conductive needle can be mechanically coupled to the movement, such that a reaction by the tube causes the link, movement, and needle to move accordingly. A first electrode is associated with the needle and a second electrode is mounted in a location that acts as a stop for the needle. The first and second electrodes are connected to an alarm that operates when the needle contacts the second electrode. The location of the second electrode can be chosen to correspond to a particular pressure level that would warrant an alarm, such as 100 psi.

Abstract: A storage capacitor and method for using the same in an antenna aperture are described. In one embodiment, an antenna comprises a physical antenna aperture having first and second substrates forming an array of radio-frequency (RF) radiating antenna elements that are controlled and operable together to form a beam for the frequency band for use in holographic beam steering, wherein each of the antenna elements is coupled to a circuit to supply a voltage to the said each antenna element and a storage capacitor formed with a plurality of conductive layers (e.g., metal layers) on a first substrate, wherein top and bottom conductive layers of the plurality of conductive layers are at a first voltage that is equal to a second voltage on a conductive layer (e.g., a metal layer) of the second substrate to reduce parasitic capacitance produced between the storage capacitor and the conductive layer on the second substrate.

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: Techniques and mechanisms for providing a low-profile terminal for satellite communication. In an embodiment, a communication terminal includes a radome, an array of radio frequency (RF) elements and a foam layer disposed therebetween. The foam layer includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the array of RF elements and the radome are coupled to the foam layer via the first side and the second side, respectively. The communication device provides contiguous structure between the radome and the array of RF elements. In another embodiment, the first side forms a machined surface which contributes to flatness of one or more antenna panels having the array of RF elements disposed therein or thereon.

Abstract: A method of assembling an antenna aperture from a plurality of antenna aperture segments is described. The method may include placing a first aperture segment relative to a second aperture segment to partially form the antenna aperture. Furthermore, an overlap of the first aperture segment overlaps a complementary underlap of the second aperture segment at a seam. The method may also include joining the overlap of the first aperture segment to the underlap of the second aperture segment to partially form the antenna aperture.