An Array-Fed Reflector (AFR) antenna assembly is provided comprising an AFR antenna comprising a feed array a reflector, and a mechanism for moving a position of the reflector relative to a position of the feed array such that a focal region of the reflector is movable with respect to the position of the feed array.

An Array-Fed Reflector (AFR) antenna assembly is provided comprising an AFR antenna comprising a feed array a reflector, and a mechanism for moving a position of the reflector relative to a position of the feed array such that a focal region of the reflector is movable with respect to the position of the feed array.

The antenna device A1 includes an antenna 1 configured to transmit and/or receive radio waves, and a dielectric elastomer drive element 2 including a dielectric elastomer layer 21 and a pair of electrode layers 22 sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer 21. The dielectric elastomer drive element is capable of changing an antenna characteristic of the antenna 1. With such a configuration, the antenna device can be made smaller and lighter while improving its antenna characteristics.

The antenna device A1 includes an antenna 1 configured to transmit and/or receive radio waves, and a dielectric elastomer drive element 2 including a dielectric elastomer layer 21 and a pair of electrode layers 22 sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer 21. The dielectric elastomer drive element is capable of changing an antenna characteristic of the antenna 1. With such a configuration, the antenna device can be made smaller and lighter while improving its antenna characteristics.

Aspects and embodiments described may provide a reconfigurable antenna apparatus and method of alignment of such a reconfigurable antenna apparatus. The apparatus may comprise antenna apparatus components reconfigurable between: a mode of operation which supports a radio communication beam having a first beamwidth; and a mode of operation which supports a radio communication beam having a second beamwidth. The first beamwidth may be several times the width of the second beamwidth. Aspects and embodiments recognise that such a reconfigurable antenna apparatus may support efficient alignment methods in which a first, coarse, alignment scan may be performed across a broad field of view, and the results of that alignment scan can be used to allow a finer second scan within a reduced field of view determined by the first scan.

An antenna diameter adjustment method for adjusting an antenna diameter by changing a distance between a part of each of a plurality of reflectors at which the radio signal is reflected, the plurality of reflectors each being configured to reflect radio signals emitted from a plurality of radiators from a center of a circle along a radial direction thereof and to radiate the radio signal toward an opposite antenna apparatus, and the center of the circle along the radial direction of the circle.

A base station antenna includes first and second reflectors that are movable relative to each other, and each of the first and second reflectors includes a plurality of radiating elements on a main reflector surface thereof. A third reflector is movably coupled to the first and second reflectors, and movement of the third reflector causes the first and second reflectors to move relative to each other. A drive mechanism is utilized to move the third reflector and includes a drive shaft, an actuator configured to rotate the drive shaft, and a threaded shaft coupled to the drive shaft and configured to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft. Rotational movement of the threaded shaft causes linear movement of the third reflector. A control unit, such as a remote electrical tilt (RET) controller controls the actuator to rotate the driveshaft.

A base station antenna includes first and second reflectors that are movable relative to each other, and each of the first and second reflectors includes a plurality of radiating elements on a main reflector surface thereof. A third reflector is movably coupled to the first and second reflectors, and movement of the third reflector causes the first and second reflectors to move relative to each other. A drive mechanism is utilized to move the third reflector and includes a drive shaft, an actuator configured to rotate the drive shaft, and a threaded shaft coupled to the drive shaft and configured to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft. Rotational movement of the threaded shaft causes linear movement of the third reflector. A control unit, such as a remote electrical tilt (RET) controller controls the actuator to rotate the driveshaft.

An Array-Fed Reflector (AFR) antenna assembly is provided comprising an AFR antenna comprising a feed array a reflector, and a mechanism for moving a position of the reflector relative to a position of the feed array such that a focal region of the reflector is movable with respect to the position of the feed array.

The present invention relates to an imaging device (1) comprising: a first microwave sensor or set of microwave sensors (2), preferably radiometric sensors, each microwave sensor (2) being configured to pick up electromagnetic radiation emitted or reflected by bodies or objects situated in a detection zone of said microwave sensor (2); and reflector means (6) configured to reflect the electromagnetic radiation that can be picked up by the first microwave sensor or the set of microwave sensors (2). In particular, the reflector means (6) are mounted to move in the detection zone of each microwave sensor (2) in such a manner as to move said detection zone by moving the reflector means (6). The invention also provides a corresponding microwave imaging method.