Abstract: A communication system and method include a group of multiple, discrete communication devices, each including an isotropic antenna element and a controller. A role of a first communication device is master device, and the role of the other communication devices is follower device. The controller of the master device determines relative locations of the follower devices to the master device, and assigns different phase delay values to the communication devices based on the relative locations. The controller of the master device communicates message information including the phase delay values, a message payload, and a transmit time to the follower devices for the isotropic antenna elements of the communication devices to collectively form an antenna array that transmits the message payload at the transmit time. The antenna array transmits the message payload with a phase taper defined by the phase delay values to form a beam towards a target.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to an antenna assembly having a first conductive element having a bowtie shape, the first conductive element on a dielectric material at a first layer; a feed point within the bowtie; a second conductive element as a feed line, at a second layer, wherein the second conductive element is electrically coupled to the first conductive element at least at the feed point, independently of direct electrical contact between the first conductive element and the second conductive element; and a ground plane. In some implementations, the second conductive element has no direct electrical contact with the first conductive element, and electrical coupling of the conductive elements comprises electric fields within the dielectric. This reduces the risk of electrical performance degradation caused by mechanical damage at the feed point, such as when the antenna assembly is installed to conform to a non-planar surface.

Abstract: In examples, systems and methods for a radiating system of an aircraft are described. The aircraft system includes a conformal antenna array having a flexible substrate configured to conform to a curvature of a portion of an aircraft. Additionally, the conformal array has a plurality of antenna elements coupled to a first surface of the flexible substrate, where the plurality of antennas are formed in an array. The aircraft system further includes radio front-end hardware configured to communicate signals to and from the plurality of antenna elements. Moreover, the aircraft system includes a radar processing system coupled to the radio front-end hardware. Yet further, the aircraft system includes a renewable energy source configured to power the radar processing system and the radio front-end hardware.

Abstract: In examples, systems and methods for a conformal array are described. In one example, an array is described. The array includes a plurality of antenna elements formed in a conformal array. The conformal array is arranged on a non-planar surface. Additionally, the array includes a respective feed for each of at least a subset of the antennas of the plurality of antenna elements. Each feed of the array is coupled to a respective antenna of the plurality of antennas based on a taper profile determined based on the non-planar surface. In another example, a method of determining an antenna array is disclosed. The method includes determining a planar array configuration for a plurality of antennas. The method further includes mapping the planar array configuration to a conformal surface to form a conformal array. Additionally, the method includes determining a taper profile based on the conformal array.

Abstract: In examples, systems and methods for a radiating system of an aircraft are described. The aircraft system includes a conformal antenna array having a flexible substrate configured to conform to a curvature of a portion of an aircraft. Additionally, the conformal array has a plurality of antenna elements coupled to a first surface of the flexible substrate, where the plurality of antennas are formed in an array. The aircraft system further includes radio front-end hardware configured to communicate signals to and from the plurality of antenna elements. Moreover, the aircraft system includes a radar processing system coupled to the radio front-end hardware. Yet further, the aircraft system includes a renewable energy source configured to power the radar processing system and the radio front-end hardware.

Abstract: In examples, systems and methods for an antenna are described. The antenna array includes a flexible substrate and a plurality of antenna elements forming a two-dimensional array. Each antenna element includes a stripline feed located halfway through a height dimension of the flexible substrate. Each antenna element further includes a rectangular patch antenna having a first dimension equal to one-half of a wavelength at a given frequency of operation, and a second dimension equal to three-quarters of the wavelength at the given frequency of operation. Moreover, each antenna element includes a slot in the rectangular patch having a slot-length approximately equal to 0.925 of a wavelength at the given frequency of operation, where the stripline feed crosses under the rectangular patch and is orthogonal to a polarization of the slot.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for a polarization uniqueness manipulation apparatus (PUMA) are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, an antenna apparatus (e.g., a PUMA) comprises a receive antenna to receive a signal with a first polarization. In one or more embodiments, the antenna apparatus is configured to passively modify the first polarization of the signal to a second polarization. The antenna apparatus further comprises a transmit antenna to transmit the signal with the second polarization. In at least one embodiment, the receive antenna is communicatively coupled to the transmit antenna. In one or more embodiments, the receive antenna and the transmit antenna are each separate patch antennas that are mounted on a substrate of the antenna apparatus at different orientations from one another. In at least one embodiment, the second polarization is dependent upon the different orientations of the receive antenna and the transmit antenna.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to an antenna assembly having a first conductive element having a bowtie shape, the first conductive element on a dielectric material at a first layer; a feed point within the bowtie; a second conductive element as a feed line, at a second layer, wherein the second conductive element is electrically coupled to the first conductive element at least at the feed point, independently of direct electrical contact between the first conductive element and the second conductive element; and a ground plane. In some implementations, the second conductive element has no direct electrical contact with the first conductive element, and electrical coupling of the conductive elements comprises electric fields within the dielectric. This reduces the risk of electrical performance degradation caused by mechanical damage at the feed point, such as when the antenna assembly is installed to conform to a non-planar surface.

Abstract: In examples, systems and methods for an antenna are described. The antenna array includes a flexible substrate and a plurality of antenna elements forming a two-dimensional array. Each antenna element includes a stripline feed located halfway through a height dimension of the flexible substrate. Each antenna element further includes a rectangular patch antenna having a first dimension equal to one-half of a wavelength at a given frequency of operation, and a second dimension equal to three-quarters of the wavelength at the given frequency of operation. Moreover, each antenna element includes a slot in the rectangular patch having a slot-length approximately equal to 0.925 of a wavelength at the given frequency of operation, where the stripline feed crosses under the rectangular patch and is orthogonal to a polarization of the slot.

Abstract: In examples, systems and methods for a conformal array are described. In one example, an array is described. The array includes a plurality of antenna elements formed in a conformal array. The conformal array is arranged on a non-planar surface. Additionally, the array includes a respective feed for each of at least a subset of the antennas of the plurality of antenna elements. Each feed of the array is coupled to a respective antenna of the plurality of antennas based on a taper profile determined based on the non-planar surface. In another example, a method of determining an antenna array is disclosed. The method includes determining a planar array configuration for a plurality of antennas. The method further includes mapping the planar array configuration to a conformal surface to form a conformal array. Additionally, the method includes determining a taper profile based on the conformal array.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for a polarization uniqueness manipulation apparatus (PUMA) are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, an antenna apparatus (e.g., a PUMA) comprises a receive antenna to receive a signal with a first polarization. In one or more embodiments, the antenna apparatus is configured to passively modify the first polarization of the signal to a second polarization. The antenna apparatus further comprises a transmit antenna to transmit the signal with the second polarization. In at least one embodiment, the receive antenna is communicatively coupled to the transmit antenna. In one or more embodiments, the receive antenna and the transmit antenna are each separate patch antennas that are mounted on a substrate of the antenna apparatus at different orientations from one another. In at least one embodiment, the second polarization is dependent upon the different orientations of the receive antenna and the transmit antenna.

Abstract: A reconfigurable antenna comprises a plurality of antenna feed elements, a plurality of plasma switches respectively associated with the antenna feed elements, and control circuitry for independently operating the plasma switches to selectively activate and deactivate the antenna feed elements. Each plasma switch may comprise a volume of inert gas, and a pair of electrodes spanning the respective volume of inert gas. The reconfigurable antenna may comprise a power supply for supplying a voltage to the pair of electrodes of each of plasma switch sufficient to ignite the respective inert gas volume into a plasma field to deactivate the respective antenna feed element. Each plasma switch may optionally be operated to attenuate each antenna feed element.

Abstract: A reconfigurable antenna comprises a plurality of antenna feed elements, a plurality of plasma switches respectively associated with the antenna feed elements, and control circuitry for independently operating the plasma switches to selectively activate and deactivate the antenna feed elements. Each plasma switch may comprise a volume of inert gas, and a pair of electrodes spanning the respective volume of inert gas. The reconfigurable antenna may comprise a power supply for supplying a voltage to the pair of electrodes of each of plasma switch sufficient to ignite the respective inert gas volume into a plasma field to deactivate the respective antenna feed element. Each plasma switch may optionally be operated to attenuate each antenna feed element.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a waveguide. The waveguide includes a waveguide wall having a shape associated with a dominant propagation mode. The waveguide includes a first dielectric material having a cross-sectional area that varies along a length of a portion of the waveguide.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a waveguide. The waveguide includes a waveguide wall having a shape associated with a dominant propagation mode. The waveguide includes a first dielectric material having a cross-sectional area that varies along a length of a portion of the waveguide.