An apparatus (e.g., a communication assembly) includes a waveform detector operable to detect a waveform. The apparatus also includes a membrane encircling the waveform detector. The membrane has a first portion that is at least partially transparent to the waveform and has a second portion that is at least partially reflective of the waveform. The apparatus also includes a support member coupled to the waveform detector. The support member is configured to moveably support the waveform detector within the membrane at a location that enables the waveform detector to detect a portion of the waveform that is reflected by the second portion of the membrane.

A reflector deployment and pointing mechanism, for deploying and pointing a reflector of an antenna movably mounted on a structure, has a first actuator mounted on the structure, a second actuator mounted on the first actuator, and a third actuator mounted on the second actuator and connected to the reflector. The first or second actuator is the deployment actuator, and, respectively, the second or first, and the third actuators are the pointing actuators and have their axis of rotation generally intersecting a feed oriented point of a signal reflecting surface of the reflector.

A deployable antenna array is provided having at least one boresight axis, and including a first plurality of first antenna array elements and a second plurality of second antenna array elements separate from the first plurality of first antenna array elements, the antenna array being configured for being selectively deployable at least from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration. A radar system including an antenna array, a telecommunication system including an antenna array, and a method for deploying an antenna array are also provided.

Portable skid assemblies are shown and disclosed. In some embodiments, the portable skid assemblies include a frame having two or more pockets sized to receive the fork of a forklift, telehandler, or pallet jack. The portable skid assemblies additionally include a support assembly having a base attached to the frame and at least one support member that moves vertically relative to the base between a retracted position suitable for at least one of storage or transport, and an extended position where the skid assembly is configured to communicate wireless signals.

An antenna mounting apparatus for a combine harvester where the apparatus includes a first grain tank extension panel mounted to a frame so as to be moveable between an open, extended, position and a closed, retracted, position. An antenna-supporting bracket is pivotally mounted to the grain tank extension panel around a first pivot axis. Actuation means are provided to pivot the antenna-supporting bracket with respect to the grain tank extension member when the grain tank extension panel moves between the open position and closed position.

A deployable mast with spontaneous autonomous deployment comprises at least one elementary structural block with a longitudinal axis of deployment X, the elementary structural block comprising two, respectively lower and upper platforms parallel to a plane YZ orthogonal to axis X, and N stages stacked on one another parallel to axis X, where N is more than 1, and where i is between 1 and N−1. Each stage comprises at least six flexible longitudinal connection arms which are articulated by tape springs, which arms are, in the deployed position, on planes parallel to axis X and are inclined relative to axis X, the N stages being secured to one another in pairs by means of connection platforms parallel to the plane YZ; two adjacent lower and upper stages are offset angularly relative to one another by rotation around the axis of deployment X.

The disclosure is directed to utility locators and associated antenna node support structure devices for allowing a utility locator to self-stand in an upright position without being held or otherwise supported by a user.

An antenna system for satellite applications is provide, the antenna system comprising an antenna array and a feed structure, and the antenna array is a passive antenna array configured to have a first state and a second state, the second state being a first deployed state. The feed structure is configured to provide a linearly polarized incident field for the antenna array in the first deployed state. The antenna array comprises a plurality of array elements, and the plurality of array elements forms a polarization conversion surface configured for converting the linearly polarized incident field to a reflected/transmitted circular polarized field. The antenna array is configured so that the radiation pattern of the reflected/transmitted circular polarized field corresponds to a predetermined radiation pattern and an array element geometry and an array element position of each of the plurality array elements are configured to provide the predetermined radiation pattern.

Mobile surveillance systems (MSSs) and related techniques are provided to improve the safety and operational flexibility of unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). An MMS may include an extendable mast, a motor configured to control movement of the extendable mast between a stowed position and a deployed position, and a logic device configured to communicate with and control the extendable mast and the motor. The logic device may be configured to adjust a speed of the motor based on a position of the extendable mast between the stowed position and the deployed position and based on deployment or stowing of the extendable mast. The logic device may be configured to adjust a torque of the motor based on the position of the extendable mast and based on deployment or stowing of the extendable mast.

A planar antenna clamp system comprising: a base; a connector mounted to the base; a clamp arm mounted to the base such that, when in an open configuration, an air gap exists between the top surface of the base and the bottom surface of the clamp arm's distal end, and wherein the clamp arm and the base are oriented with respect to one another such that conductors of a planar antenna may be positioned in the air gap when in the open configuration; a matching circuit disposed on the top surface of the base and electrically connected to the connector; and a clamp configured to compress the conductors of the planar antenna between the top surface of the base and the bottom surface of the clamp arm such that the conductors of the planar antenna are operatively coupled with the matching circuit, when in a closed configuration.