Methods, apparatuses, and systems for two-way satellite communication and an asymmetric-aperture antenna for two-way satellite communication are disclosed. In one embodiment, a beam pattern for an asymmetric-aperture antenna is offset in a narrow beamwidth direction, and the offset beam pattern is directed by a mechanical gimbal, with the beam pattern offset made to reduce interference with an adjacent satellite. In additional embodiments, operational areas near the equator are identified for a given offset beam pattern, or a beam pattern offset may be adjusted over time to compensate for movement of the asymmetric-aperture antenna when attached to an airplane, boat, or other mobile vehicle.

A phased array line feed for a reflector antenna, including a plurality of substantially parallel metallic rods and a phase/power switching matrix electrically connected to the metallic rods. The phase/power switching matrix may steer a beam of the reflector antenna by adjusting the phase and/or power difference between the metallic rods. The phased array line feed may also include a plurality of substantially parallel metallic disks. The metallic rods may extend through the metallic disks substantially perpendicular to the metallic discs. The metallic discs may be equally spaced and the diameter of the metallic disks may decrease along the length of the metallic rods. Alternatively, the diameters of the metallic discs may be equal and the distances between the metallic discs may decrease along the length of the metallic rods.

A lens according to the disclosure includes a dielectric having a first surface and a second surface that is spaced from the first surface and that faces the first surface in a direction of a reference axis intersecting the first surface. The dielectric has an equivalent relative dielectric constant that decreases in a direction from the reference axis toward outer circumferences of the first surface and the second surface.

A lens antenna system is disclosed. The lens antenna system comprises a hybrid focal source antenna circuit configured to generate a source antenna beam for integration with different lens structures. In some embodiments, the hybrid focal source antenna circuit comprises a set of antenna elements coupled to one another. In some embodiments, the set of antenna elements comprises a first antenna element configured to be excited in a first spherical mode; and a second antenna element configured to be excited in a second, different, spherical mode. In some embodiments, the first spherical mode and the second spherical mode are co-polarized. In some embodiments, the lens antenna system further comprises a lens configured to shape the source antenna beam associated with the hybrid focal source antenna circuit, in order to provide an output antenna beam.

Methods, apparatuses, and systems for two-way satellite communication and an asymmetric-aperture antenna for two-way satellite communication are disclosed. In one embodiment, a beam pattern for an asymmetric-aperture antenna is offset in a narrow beamwidth direction, and the offset beam pattern is directed by a mechanical gimbal, with the beam pattern offset made to reduce interference with an adjacent satellite. In additional embodiments, operational areas near the equator are identified for a given offset beam pattern, or a beam pattern offset may be adjusted over time to compensate for movement of the asymmetric-aperture antenna when attached to an airplane, boat, or other mobile vehicle.

The present invention provides an amplitude comparison monopulse radar system. The system comprises a beam forming network for coupling to the phased array antenna. The beam forming network is adapted to change the phase delays between the antenna elements in a phased array antenna such that the monopulse radiation pattern is scanned over an angular range through space.

A phased array line feed for a reflector antenna, including a plurality of substantially parallel metallic rods and a phase/power switching matrix electrically connected to the metallic rods. The phase/power switching matrix may steer a beam of the reflector antenna by adjusting the phase and/or power difference between the metallic rods. The phased array line feed may also include a plurality of substantially parallel metallic disks. The metallic rods may extend through the metallic disks substantially perpendicular to the metallic discs. The metallic discs may be equally spaced and the diameter of the metallic disks may decrease along the length of the metallic rods. Alternatively, the diameters of the metallic discs may be equal and the distances between the metallic discs may decrease along the length of the metallic rods.

Due to its geometry, spherical reflector antenna is inherently diffractive, leading to spherical aberration. Disclosed are example embodiments of methods and systems to minimize or eliminate spherical aberration in a spherical reflector antenna system. One of the systems includes: a main spherical reflecting dish; and a spherical feed having a plurality of antenna elements disposed on a spherical surface. The plurality of antenna elements can be disposed on a convex surface of the spherical surface of the spherical feed facing the main spherical reflecting dish.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, an antenna system includes a dielectric antenna having a feed point, wherein the dielectric antenna is a single antenna. At least one cable having a plurality of conductorless dielectric cores is coupled to the feed point of the dielectric antenna, wherein electromagnetic waves that are guided by differing ones of the plurality of conductorless dielectric cores to the dielectric antenna result in differing ones of a plurality of antenna beam patterns.

Array antennas include a plurality of lensed multi-beam sub-arrays, where each lensed multi-beam sub-array comprises a RF lens and a plurality of radiating elements that are associated with the RF lens and that are orbitally arranged about the RF lens.