The disclosed method may include (1) determining a current physical state regarding an antenna assembly that includes (a) a sub-reflector that receives a wireless signal and reflects the wireless signal to a feed structure for processing, (b) a continuous antenna reflector that receives the wireless signal at a reflecting surface that reflects the wireless signal to the sub-reflector, where the current physical state is indicative of a current surface error over the reflecting surface relative to the sub-reflector, and (c) a backing structure coupled to a back surface of the continuous antenna reflector opposite the reflecting surface and having a plurality of actuators distributed over, and coupled to, the back surface, (2) operating each of the plurality actuators in a manner that reduces the current surface error based on the current physical state. Various other methods and systems are also disclosed.

A method and system are presented for managing operation of a conformal phased-array antenna. The method comprises: providing structural data about the antenna to be operated, said structural data comprising data indicative of a geometry of a curved radiating surface defined by an arrangement of N antenna elements of the phased array and data indicative of said arrangement of N antenna elements; utilizing input data indicative of a selected direction of antenna operation and processing said structural data about the antenna, said processing comprising determining operational data for each of the antenna elements defining a desired radiation pattern of the antenna for said selected direction, said operational data comprising amplitude, phase and polarization of radiation for each antenna element.

An imaging array fed reflector for a spacecraft is included in a spacecraft payload subsystem. The payload subsystem includes a multi-beam antenna including a reflector, a plurality of amplifiers, and a plurality of radiating feed elements, the feed elements configured as a phased array, illuminating the reflector, operable at a frequency having a characteristic wavelength (λ), and configured to produce, in a far field at the reflector, a set of contiguous abutting beams. The amplifiers are disposed proximate to the plurality of radiating feed elements. Each radiating feed element has a respective coupling with at least one respective amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers. Each radiating feed element, together with the at least one respective amplifier, is disposed in a closely packed triangular lattice such that separation between adjacent radiating feed elements is not greater than 1.5λ.

An imaging array fed reflector for a spacecraft is included in a spacecraft payload subsystem. The payload subsystem includes a multi-beam antenna including a reflector, a plurality of amplifiers, and a plurality of radiating feed elements, the feed elements configured as a phased array, illuminating the reflector, operable at a frequency having a characteristic wavelength (λ), and configured to produce, in a far field at the reflector, a set of contiguous abutting beams. The amplifiers are disposed proximate to the plurality of radiating feed elements. Each radiating feed element has a respective coupling with at least one respective amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers. Each radiating feed element, together with the at least one respective amplifier, is disposed in a closely packed triangular lattice such that separation between adjacent radiating feed elements is not greater than 1.5λ.

A mobile platform includes an antenna adapted to simultaneously transmit on a first channel and receive on a second channel, and to dynamically switch communication channels as needed. For example, as the mobile platform changes position, orientation, etc., the configuration of the antenna may be updated to transmit on the second channel and receive on the first channel. Accordingly, despite changes in position or orientation, the mobile platform may maintain communication with other mobile platforms, ground controllers, user equipment, etc.

A method of communicating between an aerial vehicle and a cellular radio access network is described. In some cases, the method includes determining a current location of the aerial vehicle; determining, in response to the current location, a location of a nearest cell of the cellular radio access network; and processing communications between the aerial vehicle and the cellular radio access network, using the nearest cell as a serving cell. When the method is performed on-board an aerial vehicle, the method further includes orienting a directional antenna of the aerial vehicle toward the location of the nearest cell.

A method of communicating between an aerial vehicle and a cellular radio access network is described. In some cases, the method includes determining a current location of the aerial vehicle; determining, in response to the current location, a location of a nearest cell of the cellular radio access network; and processing communications between the aerial vehicle and the cellular radio access network, using the nearest cell as a serving cell. When the method is performed on-board an aerial vehicle, the method further includes orienting a directional antenna of the aerial vehicle toward the location of the nearest cell.

A vehicle, vessel or airplane having an antenna and a motor rotating the antenna, a rotation encoder outputting information relating to the rotation and outputting the information to two controllers of which one controls the motor. The other controller receives the rotation information and information relating to a position/direction/axis in relation to the vehicle/vessel/airplane and outputting a second signal based thereon. The output of the second controller may be used for controlling the motor to have the antenna directed toward e.g. a satellite irrespective of the motion of the vehicle/airplane/vessel.

A vehicle, vessel or airplane having an antenna and a motor rotating the antenna, a rotation encoder outputting information relating to the rotation and outputting the information to two controllers of which one controls the motor. The other controller receives the rotation information and information relating to a position/direction/axis in relation to the vehicle/vessel/airplane and outputting a second signal based thereon. The output of the second controller may be used for controlling the motor to have the antenna directed toward e.g. a satellite irrespective of the motion of the vehicle/airplane/vessel.

Methods and systems for a steerable antenna array are disclosed. The antenna array includes an array of antenna elements aligned in rows and columns on a substrate. Additionally, the antenna array includes a microstrip feed within the substrate, where the feed is configured to electromagnetically couple to each antenna element of the array of antenna elements. The antenna array further includes a ground plane within the substrate. Additionally, for each antenna element, the antenna array includes a first cavity disposed between the ground plane and feed, and a second cavity disposed on the other side of the ground plane from the first cavity. The antenna array further includes a plurality of fluid lines configured to selectively add or remove fluid from the cavities coupled to the fluid line and cause a deflection of the ground plane in a region of the cavities coupled to the fluid line.