Extensible mast is comprised of multiple mast sections which are aligned along a mast axis. Each mast section is formed of an elongated tubular member disposed in a nested configuration when the mast is in a stowed condition. Each mast section is configured to slide along a direction aligned with the mast axis to facilitate a transition of the mast from the stowed condition to a deployed condition. In the deployed condition, adjacent mast sections are disposed substantially end to end so as to form a mast having an elongated length extending from a mast base to a mast tip. Mast sections includes one or more latches formed from a portion of the sidewall and resiliently engage a portion of an adjacent mast section.

This invention proposes a reflective surface antenna based on a triple telescopic rod drive and quasi-geodesic grid structure, including a supportive back frame, a reflective surface frame, a vertical connecting rod, a primary reflective surface, an auxiliary reflective surface, a radial support rod, a feed source, and an attitude control device. The supportive back frame and reflective surface frame have a paraboloidal truss structure. The primary reflective surface is fixed on the quasi-geodesic grid of the reflective surface; the auxiliary reflective surface is fixed at the focal point of the primary reflective surface; the feed source is fixed at the apex of the reflective surface; and the attitude control device includes a base and a telescopic rod.

This invention proposes a reflective surface antenna based on a triple telescopic rod drive and quasi-geodesic grid structure, including a supportive back frame, a reflective surface frame, a vertical connecting rod, a primary reflective surface, an auxiliary reflective surface, a radial support rod, a feed source, and an attitude control device. The supportive back frame and reflective surface frame have a paraboloidal truss structure. The primary reflective surface is fixed on the quasi-geodesic grid of the reflective surface; the auxiliary reflective surface is fixed at the focal point of the primary reflective surface; the feed source is fixed at the apex of the reflective surface; and the attitude control device includes a base and a telescopic rod.

A method for deploying a trough structure. The methods comprise: causing a first telescoping segment to move in a first direction away from a proximal end of a telescoping boom; and transiting a flexible element from an untensioned state to a tensioned state as the first telescoping segment is moved in the first direction. The flexible element is coupled to a distal end of the first telescoping segment by a first bulkhead and is coupled to a distal end of a second telescoping segment by a second bulkhead. The first telescoping segment is coupled to the second telescoping segment of the boom when the first telescoping segment reaches an extended position. The flexible element has a parabolic trough shape when in the tensioned state.

A method for deploying a trough structure. The methods comprise: causing a first telescoping segment to move in a first direction away from a proximal end of a telescoping boom; and transiting a flexible element from an untensioned state to a tensioned state as the first telescoping segment is moved in the first direction. The flexible element is coupled to a distal end of the first telescoping segment by a first bulkhead and is coupled to a distal end of a second telescoping segment by a second bulkhead. The first telescoping segment is coupled to the second telescoping segment of the boom when the first telescoping segment reaches an extended position. The flexible element has a parabolic trough shape when in the tensioned state.

An AMC antenna apparatus includes a ground plane and a flexible antenna element layer above the ground plane. The ground plane includes a conductive base surface, a plurality of flexible conductors, and a frequency selective surface (FSS) layer above the base surface, where the FSS layer includes a plurality of conductive patches separated from one another. Each of the flexible conductors electrically connects one of the conductive patches to the base surface. A latch mechanism is arranged between the base layer and the FSS layer. An inflatable bladder system between the base layer and the FSS layer is configured to receive a gas input during deployment of the antenna apparatus and inflate to produce force sufficient to cause the latch mechanism to transition from an unlatched state to a latched state in which the conductive base surface is fixedly separated from the FSS layer at a predetermined distance.

A communication assembly includes a housing, a communication device, an extendable mast, and a control circuit. The housing is configured to be mounted on a vehicle. The communication device includes an antenna and is disposed at least partially within the housing. The extendable mast is mechanically coupled to the housing and supports the antenna. The control circuit is operably coupled to the mast and is configured to generate a signal to raise the mast from a first position of a distal end of the mast to a second position of the distal end in response to determining occurrence of a designated raise event. The antenna extends a greater distance from the housing in the second position of the mast than in the first position.

A communication assembly includes a housing, a communication device, an extendable mast, and a control circuit. The housing is configured to be mounted on a vehicle. The communication device includes an antenna and is disposed at least partially within the housing. The extendable mast is mechanically coupled to the housing and supports the antenna. The control circuit is operably coupled to the mast and is configured to generate a signal to raise the mast from a first position of a distal end of the mast to a second position of the distal end in response to determining occurrence of a designated raise event. The antenna extends a greater distance from the housing in the second position of the mast than in the first position.

An antenna for charging and measurement may comprise: a telescopic support installed at a lower portion of an aerial vehicle and configured to contract when the aerial vehicle lands on a wireless station and extend when the aerial vehicle takes off from the wireless station; and an antenna coil part deformed into a spiral shape when the telescopic support is contracted so that the wireless station receives wireless power and deformed into a conical shape when the telescopic support is extended to measure a radio signal.

An antenna for charging and measurement may comprise: a telescopic support installed at a lower portion of an aerial vehicle and configured to contract when the aerial vehicle lands on a wireless station and extend when the aerial vehicle takes off from the wireless station; and an antenna coil part deformed into a spiral shape when the telescopic support is contracted so that the wireless station receives wireless power and deformed into a conical shape when the telescopic support is extended to measure a radio signal.