Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a rotatable reflector antenna system on an outer surface of an aircraft which minimizes a swept arc of a main reflector. This allows the effective frontal area of the main reflector to be reduced such that a radome with a smaller frontal area can be employed to cover the antenna system. The main reflector is rotated about an azimuth axis which is disposed forward of an axial center (i.e., vertex) of the main reflector. In one embodiment the azimuth axis is located in a plane extending between the outermost lateral edges of the main reflector, which define the aperture of the antenna. In another embodiment the azimuth axis is located forward of the outermost lateral edges of the main reflector. In further embodiments the azimuth axis of rotation is located in between a subreflector and a feed horn of the antenna, or in between the vertex of the main reflector and the subreflector.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to avoid disconnection of a radio link between the radio base station and the mobile station even when the mobile station moves while transmitting no up signals in a case where the radio base station transmits the directional beam. The radio base station according to the present invention comprises an array antenna 11 to transmit/receive the directional beam, an transceiver 12 to receive an up signal from a mobile station 2 and to generate a directional beam pattern for each mobile station according to an antenna weight, a up signal interval measurer 13 to measure elapsed time from reception of the up signal, and a antenna weight generator 15 to change the antenna weight based on a result of measuring by the up signal interval measurer 13.

Abstract: An antenna can comprise a conductive reflecting surface (204) and a plurality of cells (202) disposed over the conductive reflecting surface. The plurality of cells can be formed from a solid dielectric material such as a low temperature cofired ceramic. Each cell can define a cavity for containing at least a fluid dielectric (406). One or more fluid processors (404, 424) independently vary a volume of the first fluid dielectric in the plurality of cells for producing a redirected RF beam at a selected angle relative to an incident RF signal impinging on the conductive reflecting surface.

Abstract: A mobile radio antenna arrangement for a base station includes a pivoting device which runs in the longitudinal direction and/or in the vertical direction is provided within the radome. A reflector is at least indirectly held and mounted on the pivoting device. The interior of the radome has dimensions such that the reflector which is located within the radome, and the antenna elements which are provided can be pivoted in the azimuth direction relative to the radome via the pivoting device which is located within the radome.

Abstract: An antenna system to enable satellite communication with a moving vehicle, such as an aircraft, includes an array formed by a group of subarrays. The array is positioned within a cavity and arranged to be mechanically tilted about a horizontal axis-of-rotation to provide elevation scanning of an antenna beam pattern (e.g., 20 to 90 degree elevation scan). The array, with the cavity, is mechanically rotated to provide azimuth scanning of the beam pattern (e.g., 360 degree azimuth scan). Each subarray may be a square flat-plate array having slot-type radiating elements (e.g., simple or crossed-slot elements). Equal excitation of the subarrays for receive or transmit may be provided by a feed configuration at the back of the array.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a 3D array of circuit elements and control lines for coupling a remote control device to the circuit elements in the array. Each circuit element is configured to transform from one circuit state to another circuit state in response to a change in a control signal received from one of the control lines. The 3D array includes a region that behaves as a metamaterial in a selected frequency when the circuit elements of the region are in one set of circuit states and as a normal refractive medium in the selected frequency when the circuit elements of the region are another set of circuit states.

Abstract: To enable an antenna device to be easily mounted to a roof or the like, and to realize a highly reliable state or the antenna device after mounted. The invention relates to an antenna device comprising an antenna element, and a bottom cover and a top cover which cover the antenna element. The bottom cover includes a base projection to be inserted into an opening formed in a mounting part, a washer having an elastic force being fitted over this base projection, and the washer comes into contact with an inner face of the mounting part thereby enabling the antenna device to be mounted and fixed. The washer is inserted into the opening in the mounting part in a state fitted over the base projection, and recovered to its original shape by the elastic force after the insertion, thereby to be brought into contact with the inner face of the mounting part.

Abstract: Antenna system that includes a plurality of antenna arrangements, each having one or more ports, and all ports connected through transmission lines in a combining/splitting circuit. The antenna arrangements form a spatial phased array able to track a satellite in an elevation plane by mechanically rotating the antenna arrangements about transverse axes giving rise to generation of respective elevation angles and changing the respective distances between the axes in a predefined relationship with the respective elevation angles. The combining/splitting circuit provides phasing and signal delay in order to maintain pre configured radiating parameters. The arrangements can be mounted on a rotating platform to provide azimuth tracking. The system provides dynamic tracking of satellite signals and can be used for satellite communications on moving vehicles.

Abstract: An antenna assembly including a first rotating pedestal including an antenna thereon, a second pedestal supporting the first pedestal, and a dual flow rotating union having a longitudinal axis. The dual flow rotating union includes a rotating housing portion coupled to the first rotating pedestal, a stationary housing portion coupled to the second stationary pedestal, and a conduit located in the housing portion. The conduit has opposing ports oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis, a rotating section and a stationary section. One said conduit port is located on the rotating section, and the other conduit port is located on the stationary section. The housing also has opposing ports oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis. One housing port is located on the stationary portion, and the other said housing port is located on the rotating portion.

Abstract: An antenna assembly for emitting a signal. The antenna assembly includes at least two antennas which are separated into a first group and a second group. Both groups of antennas are mounted on a panel. A first phase adjuster is coupled to the fist antenna group. The first phase adjuster is also coupled to a second phase adjuster, which is also coupled to said second antenna group. The first phase adjuster is coupled to the second phase adjuster, such that an adjustment of the first phase adjuster causes an adjustment of the second phase adjuster. The first phase adjuster is adapted to adjust a phase angle of the signal of the first antenna group, while the second phase adjuster is adapted to adjust a phase angle of the signal of said second antenna group.

Abstract: A wireless communication device and method for identifying a container, or communication information about a container using a slot in the container as an antenna. The device includes a wireless communication device for transmitting information regarding the container. The container includes an outer wall forming rim and a slot between the rim edge and the outer wall that is circular and continues without boundaries. The wireless communication device is coupled to the slot to provide the slot antenna for communications. An impedance matching network is additionally provided to make the operating frequency of the slot substantially the same as the operating frequency of the wireless communication device. Alternatively, shorting posts may be placed in the slot to define boundaries of the slot to match the operating frequency of the slot to the operating frequency of the antenna. Multiple feed points may be provided between the wireless communication device and the slot.

Abstract: A self-correcting mobile antenna control system and method. A method is provided for controlling the direction of an antenna mounted on a vehicle. The method includes determining a position decision based on a direction change signal output from a direction sensor, determining an energy decision based on a signal strength indicator, combining the position decision and the energy decision to produce an antenna control signal, and adjusting the antenna's direction based on the antenna control signal. The system also operates to periodically calibrate itself to offset any sensor errors so that intensive calibration procedures can be avoided.

Abstract: A low-profile antenna system to be mounted to a moving vehicle for receiving signals, such as from a Digital Broadcast Satellite, includes a base for mounting to the surface of the vehicle, a platen mounted to the base for rotation, an azimuth drive motor for rotating the platen, an array of half-cylinder antenna elements mounted to the platen, an elevation drive motor for pivoting the antenna elements individually about their axes to change the elevation at which the antenna elements are pointing, and a cover. The azimuth drive motor and the elevation drive motor together allow the array of antenna elements to be pointed at a satellite over a wide range of vehicle orientations.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for generating reconfigurable beams is disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises a stationary feed array having a plurality of selectably activatable feed array elements, the feed array having a feed array sensitive axis; a reflector, illuminated by the selectably activatable feed array elements; a first mechanism, coupled to the reflector, for varying a position of the reflector along the feed array axis; wherein a desired beam size of the antenna system is selected by varying the reflector position along the feed array sensitive axis and by selectably activating the feed array elements.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing the performance of a satellite communication system by using a multivariate analysis approach to optimize the pointing of the boresight of a satellite-mounted antenna. Optimizing the pointing of the boresight of the antenna minimizes sidelobe generation, and thus Co-Channel Interference (CCI) in geographic areas served by the system. By minimizing CCI, the overall system performance of the communication system is optimized. To optimize the pointing of the boresight of the antenna, the overall performance of the satellite communication system is determined, and the boresight of the antenna is iteratively repointed in the direction of increasing system performance until the optimized boresight pointing is determined. Alternatively, the frequency re-use plan of the satellite communication system may be analyzed to determine a high density cell region and the boresight may be pointed to the high density cell region.

Abstract: A method of forming a conformal electronic scanning array (ESA) is disclosed. The ESA is formed using rolling techniques similar to those used in forming LCD displays. If the layers forming the ESA are made of substantially transparent materials, the ESA may be applied to an outer surface of a display, such as a flexible display. The ESA may also be applied to a window or other non-planar surface such as an outer surface of a vehicle, or may be integrated into a computer display.

Abstract: A method for positioning a dielectric dome covered satellite dish adapted to be connected to a satellite receiver, by inputting an elevation command into a control console corresponding to a geographic location of the satellite dish and then depressing a single key on the control console to activate an azimuth drive system on the satellite dish. The operator depresses any key on the console to stop azimuth rotation of the satellite dish upon viewing a satellite signal. The satellite signal is fine tuned by appropriately depressing the right arrow key, a left arrow key, an up arrow key, or a down arrow key to effect pointing of the satellite dish.

Abstract: A system having a steerable antenna coupled to a temperature-dependent driver. The driver has a shape-memory element fabricated using a shape-memory alloy (SMA) and having the ability to change its shape as a function of temperature. The element is adapted to steer the antenna to improve signal reception and is controlled by a control circuit, which resistively heats the element while using the strength of the electrical signal generated by the antenna in response to a received radio-frequency signal as a feedback signal. The temperature of the element is adjusted to optimize the signal strength. Systems of the invention may enable customer-performed antenna alignment and are relatively simple and inexpensive to implement.

Abstract: A method for interference analysis in a mobile radio network having an adaptive antenna in at least some of its cells and including traffic channels and control channels, includes calculating an interference ratio of interference of one traffic channel of an adaptive antenna of a first cell to a user signal in a traffic channel of an adaptive antenna of a second cell. The interference ratio of interference in a traffic channel of a first cell not having an adaptive antenna to a user signal is calculated in a traffic channel of a second cell having an adaptive antenna. The interference ratio of interference in a control channel of a first cell with or without an adaptive antenna to a user signal is calculated in a control channel of a second cell with or without an adaptive antenna relative to the entire surface of the cell without considering the adaptive antenna in each of these cells.

Abstract: An adaptive antenna unit is adapted to a mobile terminal for making mobile communication and adaptively forms an antenna directivity in a direction of a base station which exchanges signals with the mobile terminal. The adaptive antenna unit is provided with an azimuth sensor to detect at least one of rotation, inclination and present position of the mobile terminal, a transmitter-receiver section to control the antenna directivity in a direction in which a reception characteristic improves based on reception signals received from a plurality of antenna elements forming the antenna directivity, and a mechanism for correcting the antenna directivity in the direction of the base station, based on the at least one of rotation, inclination and present position of the mobile terminal detected by the azimuth sensor.

Abstract: An off-gimbal pointing system is improved using filtering of resolver and gyro responses respectively applied at the output of the resolvers and gyros for attenuating high frequencies resolver responses and gyro responses that effectively degrades the high frequency responses that are matched and above the control system bandwidth for improving the overall dynamic control of the off-gimbal pointing system for rejecting the affects of base motion disturbances and vibrations.

Abstract: A method of aligning an antenna within a predetermined azimuth direction, in which the antenna is hingeably connected to a support. In response to processed positioning data received by a first global positioning system receiver dish from a global positioning satellite system, the first receiver dish being connected to the antenna and locatable at predetermined first and second positions away from the antenna, the first receiver dish determines an antenna azimuth direction and is moved from the antenna azimuth direction towards the predetermined azimuth direction so as to align the antenna.

Abstract: An antenna assembly includes at least two active or main radiating omni-directional antenna elements arranged with at least one beam control or passive antenna element used as a reflector. The beam control antenna element(s) may have multiple reactance elements that can electrically terminate it to adjust the input or output beam pattern(s) produced by the combination of the active antenna elements and the beam control antenna element(s). More specifically, the beam control antenna element(s) may be coupled to different terminating reactances to change beam characteristics, such as the directivity and angular beamwidth. Processing may be employed to select which terminating reactance to use. Consequently, the radiator pattern of the antenna can be more easily directed towards a specific target receiver/transmitter, reduce signal-to-noise interference levels, and/or increase gain by using Radio Frequency (RF), Intermediate Frequency (IF), or baseband processing.

Abstract: A radar antenna system comprises a wheel, cone or frustum having an axis. The wheel, cone or frustum has a circumferential portion adapted to engage at least one path disposed on a platform for revolving the radar array about the platform. A radar array is mounted on the wheel, cone or frustum, with the axis normal to a face of the radar array. The wheel, cone or frustum rotates about the platform as the radar array revolves around the platform during operation.

Abstract: Radio antennas are aligned with each other for the creation of a fixed radio link, by temporarily mounting a powered actuator on an antenna forming one end of the link, the actuator being arranged to adjust the alignment of the antenna, controlling the movement of the actuator over a range of alignments, measuring the variations in the properties of a signal transmitted over the link as the actuator is moved, identifying an optimum actuator position, and locking the actuator in the optimum position. By using a powered antenna, it is possible to control the alignment of several antennas from a single convenient location. Once the antenna has been secured in the selected position the powered actuator may be recovered for use elsewhere.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a beam steering system. The system includes an array of a plurality of antenna elements, each antenna element being electrically and mechanically controlled for steering a beam in a specific direction, and a millimeter wave subsystem quasi-optically integrated with a 3-dimensional beam steering device and an MMIC-type active circuit. The antenna element is controlled in real time by an electrical driving method so as to be moved in 2-dimensional space. That is, in the 3-dimensional system of the present invention, the beam is electrically controlled by a phase shifter, and each antenna element is physically moved by a mechanical driving mechanism. The 3-dimensional beam steering antenna and the associated devices are monolithically integrated on a substrate using MEMS technology, and the active circuit elements such as a mixer, a power amplifier (PA), a low noise amplifier (LNA), a VCO, etc. are integrated in an MMIC active array.

Abstract: For the purpose of obtaining a mechanical drive reflecting mirror antenna device which is downsized and low in attitude, enables wide-angle scanning, and is high in performance, there are provided a main reflection mirror 1, a sub-reflection mirror 2, a primary radiator 3, a first circular waveguide 4 which is connected to the primary radiator and has a plurality of bend portions, a first circular waveguide rotary joint 5 which is connected to the first circular waveguide, a second circular waveguide 7 which is connected to the first circular waveguide rotary joint and has a plurality of bend portions, and a second circular waveguide rotary joint 8 which is connected to the second circular waveguide and is different in a direction of a rotary axis from the first circular waveguide rotary joint by substantially 90 degrees.

Abstract: A satellite locator system used with a motor home has a parabolic reflector antenna dish, feedhorn and signal converter mounted on a turntable supporting electronic controls and elevation and azimuth motors operable to rotate the turntable and change the elevation of the dish to locate and target a satellite. A plastic dome mounted on a base plate attached to the roof of the motor home encloses the dish, feedhorn, signal converter, turntable, electronic controls, and elevation and azimuth motors. The dome has an inner semi-hemispherical surface located close to the signal converter to improve the signal strength. A remote console wired to the electronic controls is operable to initiate the satellite search and monitor the status of the satellite search.

Abstract: An antenna assembly for operation on a moving platform includes a base to be mounted on the moving platform, an azimuthal positioner extending upwardly from the base, and a canted cross-level positioner extending from the azimuthal positioner at a cross-level cant angle canted from perpendicular. The canted cross-level positioner may be rotatable about a cross-level axis to define a roll angle resulting in coupling between the azimuthal and canted cross-level positioners. The antenna assembly may also include an elevational positioner connected to the canted cross-level positioner resulting in coupling between the elevational and the azimuthal positioners because of the roll angle. An antenna may be connected to the elevational positioner. A controller operates the azimuthal, canted cross-level, and elevational positioners to aim the antenna along a desired line-of-sight and while decoupling at least one of the azimuthal and canted cross-level positioners, and the azimuthal and elevational positioners.

Abstract: A device for aiming a directional device, such as a beam transmitter, mounted on a platform having a platform roll axis, the device having a device roll axis and a device nod axis, wherein the device roll axis is substantially different from the platform roll axis. Also a method for aiming a directional device, such as a beam transmitter, mounted on a platform having a platform roll axis by providing a device of the present invention, aiming the directional device by changing the aim of the directional device about the device roll axis and about the device nod axis; and, if as a result the device roll axis approaches coincidence with the aimed direction, rotating the platform about the platform roll axis.

Abstract: The present invention describes a communication system comprising a primary radio station (PS) and at least one secondary radio station (SS), intended to be in motion (MOT). The secondary radio station has at least one controllable structure (CS) for communicating with the primary radio station, and control means (CONT) for controlling the controllable structure depending on the movements of the secondary radio station. The control means of the controllable structure comprise magnetic field sensors (MFS) and gravitational field sensors (GFS) for providing measurements of the earth magnetic (H) and gravitational (G) fields, and computing means (COMP) for computing control information from these measurements. The computing means read the outputs of each sensor and make the calculations required to control the controllable structure at appropriate time intervals depending on the motion state of the secondary radio station.

Abstract: An azimuth drive for a radar array comprises at least one circular track mounted to a wheel on which the radar array is mounted. A motor is coupled to the at least one circular track and capable of moving along the track in the tangential direction, to relocate the center of mass of the wheel on which the radar array is mounted.

Abstract: A high-performance and compact antenna apparatus is provided which is capable of obtaining a high antenna gain, less susceptible to wind and the like, and advantageously useful as mounted on vehicles or the like. The antenna apparatus includes: a transmitting antenna section 2 having at least one planar antenna element for transmitting a radio wave to a satellite; a receiving antenna section 3 having at least one planar antenna element for receiving a radio wave from the satellite, the transmitting antenna section 2 and the receiving antenna section 3 being positioned to orient to a predetermined satellite and arranged stepwise with a predetermined spacing therebetween.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for beam steering. A feed horn is arranged so that the feed horn illuminates a tunable impedance surface comprising a plurality of individually tunable resonator cells, each resonator element having a reactance tunable by a tuning element associated therewith. The tuning elements associated with the tunable impedance surface are adjusted so that the resonances of the individually tunable resonator cells are varied in a sequence and the resonances of the individually tunable resonator cells are set to values which improve transmission of information via the tunable impedance surface and the feed horn.

Abstract: An antenna assembly for operation on a moving platform includes a base to be mounted on the moving platform, an azimuthal positioner extending upwardly from the base, and a canted cross-level positioner extending from the azimuthal positioner at a cross-level cant angle canted from perpendicular. The canted cross-level positioner may be rotatable about a cross-level axis to define a roll angle resulting in coupling between the azimuthal and canted cross-level positioners. The antenna assembly may also include an elevational positioner connected to the canted cross-level positioner resulting in coupling between the elevational and the azimuthal positioners because of the roll angle. An antenna may be connected to the elevational positioner. A controller operates the azimuthal, canted cross-level, and elevational positioners to aim the antenna along a desired line-of-sight and while decoupling at least one of the azimuthal and canted cross-level positioners, and the azimuthal and elevational positioners.

Abstract: A satellite antenna system (30) that employs a small phased antenna array (46) acting as a redundant antenna. Because the phased array (46) is steerable, it can be selectively directed to any of the cells (16) on the Earth (12) in the event that the LNA in an antenna channel (32) fails. The phased array (46) is switched into each antenna channel (32) after the channel front end (40) where a switch (56) used to switch in the phased array (46) is after the amplification in the channel (32). Therefore, the switch (56) does not significantly affect the noise figure of the channel front end (32).

Abstract: A holding device for an adjustable housing, such as the housing of a radar sensor, which allows the position of the housing at a mounting location to be changed in at least one degree of freedom using least one adjusting screw. In this context, the at least one adjusting screw is held at the mounting location in a fixing dome so that it can be rotated and tilted, the respective fixing dome of plastic being capable of being snapped into a corresponding opening at the mounting location so that it is secured against rotation and pulling.

Abstract: A satellite antenna system (30) that employs a small phased antenna array (46) acting as redundant antenna. Because the phased array (46) is steerable, it can be selectively directed to any of the cells (16) on the Earth (12) in the event that the LNA in an antenna channel (32) fails. The phased array (46) is switched into each antenna channel (32) after the channel front end (40) where a switch (56) used to switch in the phased array (46) is after the amplification in the channel (32). Therefore, the switch (56) does not significantly affect the noise figure of the channel front end (32).

Abstract: An attenuation device for use under a radome disposed on a mobile platform such as an aircraft for reflecting a portion of the electromagnetic energy radiated by an antenna disposed under the radome such that the reflected portion of energy impinges the radome at an angle normal thereto, thereby reducing or eliminating further reflections of the reflected portion of energy within the radome toward the mobile platform. In one embodiment the radome includes a base covered with a radar absorbing material (RAM). In another embodiment the radome includes a curved base adapted to match the mobile platform surface curvature on which the attenuation apparatus is mounted. In a further embodiment, RAM is disposed on an exterior surface of the mobile platform under the radome. In still another embodiment, the base is formed of an attenuating transverse magnetic TM wave corrugated plate.

Abstract: An antenna system for a transmitter comprising an array of antennas and control means. The antennas are arranged to transmit over all or part of the transmitters coverage area. The control means control the number of antennas that are used to transmit a signal in dependence on the width of the signal to be transmitted.

Abstract: A method within and wireless communications unit (WCU) arranged to operate in a fixed wireless network including a transceiver for receiving and transmitting signals within the network; an antenna system having adjustable visibility to the fixed wireless network; and a controller, coupled to the transceiver and the antenna system, to control the transceiver and to adjust the visibility of the antenna system such that the visibility of the WCU to the fixed wireless network is adjustable.

Abstract: A directional antenna apparatus comprises a pedestal, a directional plate, a printed circuit board and a digital transmission line. The directional plate is mounted on the pedestal with a universal joint, thereby the direction and the tilted angle of the directional plate can be adjusted arbitrarily toward to a wireless access point for receiving and sending radio frequency (RF) signals. The printed circuit board is fabricated in the pedestal and has decoding circuits defined thereon so as to decode the RF signals received by the directional plate to digital signals. And one end of the digital transmission line penetrating through the housing of the pedestal to connect with the printed circuit board. Another end of the digital transmission line is connected to a system host for conveying the decoded digital signals.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a rotatable reflector antenna system on an outer surface of an aircraft which minimizes a swept arc of a main reflector. This allows the effective frontal area of the main reflector to be reduced such that a radome with a smaller frontal area can be employed to cover the antenna system. The main reflector is rotated about an azimuth axis which is disposed forward of an axial center (i.e., vertex) of the main reflector. In one embodiment the azimuth axis is located in a plane extending between the outermost lateral edges of the main reflector, which define the aperture of the antenna. In another embodiment the azimuth axis is located forward of the outermost lateral edges of the main reflector. In further embodiments the azimuth axis of rotation is located in between a subreflector and a feed horn of the antenna, or in between the vertex of the main reflector and the subreflector.

Abstract: An alignment device for aligning an antenna with a satellite. In one embodiment, the device includes a digital compass to provide an azimuth reading of the antenna when the device is removably affixed to the rear surface of the antenna reflector. In another embodiment, the device includes a first digital level that provides an elevation reading of the antenna when the device is affixed to the rear surface of the antenna reflector. Another embodiment includes first and second digital levels that cooperate to emit a skew signal that is indicative of the skew orientation of the antenna when the device is affixed to the antenna. In yet another embodiment by a transmitter that is placed adjacent to a television that is attached to a set top a box that is attached to the antenna.

Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a housing, an antenna, and a transceiver for transmitting and receiving wireless signals through the antenna. The wireless communication device also includes a first hinge connecting the antenna to the housing for allowing the antenna to rotate about a first axis with respect to the housing, a first motor for rotating the antenna about the first axis with respect to the housing, and a control circuit for controlling the first motor to rotate the antenna for scanning reception of wireless signals as the antenna is rotated at different angles.

Abstract: An adjustable reflector system for fixed dipole antenna comprising of reflector and several supporting devices is described. The beam direction of the antenna can be changed by rotating the reflector about the Y-axis and/or adjusting the reflector about X axis and Z-axis. Such adjustments allow the user to fine tune the antenna to meet new or unforeseen coverage issues. The plurality of the of the reflector's shapes is disclosed (flat, curved, etc.).

Abstract: A radar antenna system comprises a wheel, cone or frustum having an axis. The wheel, cone or frustum has a circumferential portion adapted to engage at least one path disposed on a platform for revolving the radar array about the platform. A radar array is mounted on the wheel, cone or frustum, with the axis normal to a face of the radar array. The wheel, cone or frustum rotates about the platform as the radar array revolves around the platform during operation.

Abstract: An antenna comprising a phased array of quadrifilar helix or other multifilar antenna elements and a time-delaying feed network adapted to feed the elements. The feed network can employ a plurality of coaxial cables that physically bridge a microstrip feed circuitry to feed power signals to the elements. The cables provide an incremental time delay which is related to their physical lengths, such that replacing cables having a first set of lengths with cables having a second set of lengths functions to change the time delay and shift or steer the antenna's main beam. Alternatively, the coaxial cables may be replaced with a programmable signal processor unit adapted to introduce the time delay using signal processing techniques applied to the power signals.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for generating reconfigurable beams is disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises a stationary feed array having a plurality of selectably activatable feed array elements, the feed array having a feed array sensitive axis; a reflector, illuminated by the selectably activatable feed array elements; a first mechanism, coupled to the reflector, for varying a position of the reflector along the feed array axis; wherein a desired beam size of the antenna system is selected by varying the reflector position along the feed array sensitive axis and by selectably activating the feed array elements.

Abstract: An alignment device for aligning an antenna with a satellite. In one embodiment, the device includes a digital compass to provide an azimuth reading of the antenna when the device is removably affixed to the rear surface of the antenna reflector. In another embodiment, the device includes a first digital level that provides an elevation reading of the antenna when the device is affixed to the rear surface of the antenna reflector. Another embodiment includes first and second digital levels that cooperate to emit a skew signal that is indicative of the skew orientation of the antenna when the device is affixed to the antenna. In yet another embodiment, a speaker is provided adjacent to the antenna to receive a series of tones transmitted by a transmitter that is placed adjacent to a television that is attached to a set top a box that is attached to the antenna.