A magnet-less multi-port ring combiner comprises a set of ports extending from the circumference of the magnet-less multi-port ring combiner. The set of ports are positioned at ¼ increments around the circumference of the magnet-less multi-port ring combiner. The set of ports comprise a first input port configured to receive a first input signal and a second input port configured to receive a second input signal, wherein the first input signal is 180° out-of-phase with the second input signal. The N-way magnet-less multi-port combiner comprises more than four ports.

A low-sidelobe plate array antenna includes a radiation layer and a feed layer. The radiation layer is superimposed on the feed layer and includes a first plate and a radiation array disposed on the first plate. The radiation array is formed by n.sup.2 radiation units which are distributed in 2.sup.(k-1) rows and 2.sup.(k-1) columns. Each radiation unit in the radiation layer is constituted by two first radiation assemblies and two second radiation assemblies. Each first radiation assembly comprises a first rectangular bar, a first rectangular cavity, a second rectangular cavity and a third rectangular cavity. The first rectangular cavity, the second rectangular cavity and the third rectangular cavity in the first radiation assembly are stacked in presence of an azimuth deviation to form a three-layer coupled structure, and the first rectangular bar located in the first rectangular cavity can better restrain cross polarization and reduce the sidelobe.

A low-sidelobe plate array antenna includes a radiation layer and a feed layer. The radiation layer is superimposed on the feed layer and includes a first plate and a radiation array disposed on the first plate. The radiation array is formed by n.sup.2 radiation units which are distributed in 2.sup.(k-1) rows and 2.sup.(k-1) columns. Each radiation unit in the radiation layer is constituted by two first radiation assemblies and two second radiation assemblies. Each first radiation assembly comprises a first rectangular bar, a first rectangular cavity, a second rectangular cavity and a third rectangular cavity. The first rectangular cavity, the second rectangular cavity and the third rectangular cavity in the first radiation assembly are stacked in presence of an azimuth deviation to form a three-layer coupled structure, and the first rectangular bar located in the first rectangular cavity can better restrain cross polarization and reduce the sidelobe.

A dual-beam antenna includes an element array and a feed network. The element array includes a first element set and a second element set. The first element set includes at least three first elements arranged in a row. The second element set includes at least three second elements arranged in a row. The at least three first elements of the first element set and the at least three second elements of the second element set are independent of each other. The feed network includes a first feed network and a second feed network. The first feed network includes a first cable set and a first power divider. The second feed network includes a second cable set and a second power divider.

A dual-beam antenna includes an element array and a feed network. The element array includes a first element set and a second element set. The first element set includes at least three first elements arranged in a row. The second element set includes at least three second elements arranged in a row. The at least three first elements of the first element set and the at least three second elements of the second element set are independent of each other. The feed network includes a first feed network and a second feed network. The first feed network includes a first cable set and a first power divider. The second feed network includes a second cable set and a second power divider.

Phased arrays to be used for Tx and Rx communications in different frequency bands are disclosed. The phased arrays presented herein are non-uniformly thinned half-duplex phased arrays with dual-band antenna elements. Such phased arrays are “half-duplex” in that they are configured for communication in one direction at a time, i.e., either for Tx or for Rx, while utilizing a common array. Such phased arrays are “with dual-band antenna elements” in that, in addition to using antenna elements configured for Tx or for Rx only, they implement some antenna elements that are configured for both Tx and Rx. Such phased arrays are “thinned” in that they are formed according to a method of optimizing array geometry known as “thinning.” Such phased arrays are thinned “non-uniformly” in that different antenna elements used for Tx may have different numbers of nearest and/or second-nearest neighbor antenna elements used for Rx, or vice versa.

Phased arrays to be used for Tx and Rx communications in different frequency bands are disclosed. The phased arrays presented herein are non-uniformly thinned half-duplex phased arrays with dual-band antenna elements. Such phased arrays are “half-duplex” in that they are configured for communication in one direction at a time, i.e., either for Tx or for Rx, while utilizing a common array. Such phased arrays are “with dual-band antenna elements” in that, in addition to using antenna elements configured for Tx or for Rx only, they implement some antenna elements that are configured for both Tx and Rx. Such phased arrays are “thinned” in that they are formed according to a method of optimizing array geometry known as “thinning.” Such phased arrays are thinned “non-uniformly” in that different antenna elements used for Tx may have different numbers of nearest and/or second-nearest neighbor antenna elements used for Rx, or vice versa.

An apparatus includes multiple patch antenna elements configured to transmit multiple electromagnetic beams in multiple beam directions. The apparatus also includes multiple inputs each configured to receive one of multiple input signals, where each input signal is associated with one of the electromagnetic beams. The apparatus further includes multiple phase-tapered splitters each configured to receive one of the input signals, divide the received input signal into a set of sub-signals, and provide a phase taper that adjusts phases of at least some of the sub-signals in the set of sub-signals. Different phase tapers are associated with different ones of the beam directions. In addition, the apparatus includes multiple 90° hybrid transformers each configured to receive sub-signals associated with different ones of the input signals, isolate the received sub-signals from each other, and provide the isolated sub-signals to one of the patch antenna elements.

A method and system facilitate communication between a constellation of satellites and a mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator. The method and system may include the use of a first antenna suited for operation using a first frequency band in a first geographic region and a second antenna suited for operation using either the first or a second frequency band in a second geographic region. The method and system may use a controller to determine which antenna to activate based on one or more of a geographic indicator or a signal indicator. The system used by the method to facilitate the communication may have one or more enclosures over the antennas and controller for mounting to a mobile platform.

A method and system facilitate communication between a constellation of satellites and a mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator. The method and system may include the use of a first antenna suited for operation using a first frequency band in a first geographic region and a second antenna suited for operation using either the first or a second frequency band in a second geographic region. The method and system may use a controller to determine which antenna to activate based on one or more of a geographic indicator or a signal indicator. The system used by the method to facilitate the communication may have one or more enclosures over the antennas and controller for mounting to a mobile platform.