Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for electromagnetically designing a shaped-reflector multibeam antenna (100) are disclosed. An initial configuration of the multibeam antenna (100) for given beam directions is provided of reflectors (110,120) shaped with an initial reflector shaping process (612) and feeds of an initial specification (614). The initial reflector shaping process (612) is an iterative optimization process for increasing the focusing of optical rays incident on the multibeam antenna from the given beam directions (100). A second iterative optimizing process consisting of optimizing (620) radiation patterns of feeds (140A-140D) and optimizing (622) surface shapes and sizes of reflectors (110,120) is used to reduce beam spillover, improve beam shapes and obtain beams with gain radiation patterns within required upper and lower bounds.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for electromagnetically designing a shaped-reflector multibeam antenna (100) are disclosed. An initial configuration of the multibeam antenna (100) for given beam directions is provided of reflectors (110,120) shaped with an initial reflector shaping process (612) and feeds of an initial specification (614). The initial reflector shaping process (612) is an iterative optimization process for increasing the focusing of optical rays incident on the multibeam antenna from the given beam directions (100). A second iterative optimizing process consisting of optimizing (620) radiation patterns of feeds (140A-140D) and optimizing (622) surface shapes and sizes of reflectors (110,120) is used to reduce beam spillover, improve beam shapes and obtain beams with gain radiation patterns within required upper and lower bounds.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for setting the upstand height of the studs of an array of studs used to form antenna panels is disclosed. The apparatus includes a transducer beam having a row of spaced-apart distance transducers. The apparatus also includes an actuator beam having a row of spaced rotary actuators. The actuators rotate the threaded studs to raise or lower the studs until the corresponding transducer indicates that the stud has achieved an intended height. Also disclosed is a method using an array of laser diodes, rather than the transducer beam, arranged at one end of the base plate and an array of photo diodes at the opposite end. The output of the diodes indicates the height of the studs.

Abstract: A directional planar antenna is disclosed. The antenna has an array of coaxial ring-slot radiating elements formed through a conductive layer on a dielectric substrate. A number of probes, coupled to the ring-slot elements, selectively excite a separate resonant mode on each ring-slot element. The resonant mode supported by a ring-slot element depends upon the geometry of that ring-slot element. The resonant modes combine in the far field to form a radiation pattern directional in azimuth and elevation. By adjustment of the relative phase difference or relative amplitude between the excited modes, the radiation pattern can be steered.