This application describes multi-band antenna systems and base stations. An example multi-band antenna system includes: a plurality of radiating element arrays, feeding networks separately corresponding to the plurality of radiating element arrays, at least one layer of a frequency selective surface (FSS), and a reflection panel. The plurality of radiating element arrays are located above the reflection panel. All or some of the plurality of radiating element arrays are stacked. The at least one layer of the FSS is located between the stacked radiating element arrays. A feeding network corresponding to at least one radiating element array in the stacked radiating element arrays is electrically connected to the at least one layer of the FSS, or the feeding network corresponding to the at least one radiating element array is integrated on the at least one layer of the FSS.

The embodiments herein provide a miniaturized multifunction ultra-wideband antenna comprising an omnidirectional radiator and unidirectional radiator. The planar Square Monopole Antenna (SMA) with a maximum dimension of λg/5 provides a 10:1 ultra-wide bandwidth with an omnidirectional radiation pattern. The coplanar waveguide technology is the technology incorporated along with Heptagonal Microstrip Patch Antenna (HMPA) placed above a Full Ground Plane (FGP) to achieve unidirectional radiation pattern. The Heptagonal Microstrip Patch Antenna (HMPA) backed with the Pi shaped Parasitic Patch (PSPP) is electromagnetically coupled to the Full Ground Plane (FGP) through the Shorting Pins (SP). Good isolation is achieved through the orthogonal arrangement segregated with the Square Slot (SS) and Inverted L shaped slot (ILSS). The stacked quasi TEM structure backed with a Partial Ground Plane (PGP) are configured on a single platform providing unidirectional and omnidirectional radiation pattern for short-range sensing and indoor communications.

The embodiments herein provide a miniaturized multifunction ultra-wideband antenna comprising an omnidirectional radiator and unidirectional radiator. The planar Square Monopole Antenna (SMA) with a maximum dimension of λg/5 provides a 10:1 ultra-wide bandwidth with an omnidirectional radiation pattern. The coplanar waveguide technology is the technology incorporated along with Heptagonal Microstrip Patch Antenna (HMPA) placed above a Full Ground Plane (FGP) to achieve unidirectional radiation pattern. The Heptagonal Microstrip Patch Antenna (HMPA) backed with the Pi shaped Parasitic Patch (PSPP) is electromagnetically coupled to the Full Ground Plane (FGP) through the Shorting Pins (SP). Good isolation is achieved through the orthogonal arrangement segregated with the Square Slot (SS) and Inverted L shaped slot (ILSS). The stacked quasi TEM structure backed with a Partial Ground Plane (PGP) are configured on a single platform providing unidirectional and omnidirectional radiation pattern for short-range sensing and indoor communications.

Reflectarray antenna elements, reflectarrays, and a method of operating an antenna element are described. A reflectarray antenna element includes a patch (14) of electrically conductive material for reflecting an electromagnetic field; a dielectric substrate (12) providing an RF ground; first and second phase control lines (16, 18) of electrically conductive material arranged to interact with electromagnetic radiation with a first polarisation; a first binary switching device (24) having an ON or OFF state disposed between the patch and ground, and configured to selectively electrically couple the patch to ground via the first phase control line; a second binary switching device (26) having an ON or OFF state disposed between the patch and ground, and configured to selectively electrically couple the patch to ground via the second phase control line; a single DC bias input electrically coupled to the patch and configurable to different discrete voltage levels for selectively controlling the states of the switching devices. Selective operation of the first and second binary switching devices occurs by means of the DC bias input provides phase control of electromagnetic radiation dependent on the state of the switching devices. Described is a phase control mechanism of unit cells to enable a reconfigurable/smart reflectarray platform.

A phased array antenna system has at least one trough reflector, each trough reflector having at least one phased array located at a feed point of the reflector, and an array of elements located near to a point equal to one half of a center transmission wavelength. A method of decoding a receive signal includes propagating a transmit signal through a transmit and a receive path of a phased array to generate a coupled signal, digitizing the coupled signal, storing the digitized coupled signal, receiving a signal from a target, and using the digitized coupled signal to decode the signal from the target. A method of modeling the ionosphere includes transmitting measuring pulses from an incoherent scattering radar transmitter, receiving incoherent scatter from the transmitting, and analyzing the incoherent scatter to determine pulse and amplitude of the incoherent scatter to profile electron number density of the ionosphere.

A phased array antenna system has at least one trough reflector, each trough reflector having at least one phased array located at a feed point of the reflector, and an array of elements located near to a point equal to one half of a center transmission wavelength. A method of decoding a receive signal includes propagating a transmit signal through a transmit and a receive path of a phased array to generate a coupled signal, digitizing the coupled signal, storing the digitized coupled signal, receiving a signal from a target, and using the digitized coupled signal to decode the signal from the target. A method of modeling the ionosphere includes transmitting measuring pulses from an incoherent scattering radar transmitter, receiving incoherent scatter from the transmitting, and analyzing the incoherent scatter to determine pulse and amplitude of the incoherent scatter to profile electron number density of the ionosphere.

A method for providing frequency selective surface zoning includes selecting a location for positioning a frequency selective surface (FSS) panel along a support arm of a reflector antenna system, and positioning a second feed horn on the support arm on an opposite side of the FSS panel. A number of unit cells are used to populate the FSS panel, and metallic patterns are formed on each unit cell. Multiple zones are subsequently defined on the surface of the FSS panel. Each zone is optimized for a predetermined range of incident angles.

The disclosed system may include an enclosure that is configured to house internal electrical components disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB). The system may also include a first antenna feed that is electrically connected to the PCB, to the enclosure, and to a radiating coupling arm configured for wireless communication in a first wireless communication band. The system may further include a second antenna feed that is electrically connected to the PCB and to an antenna configured for wireless communication in a second, different wireless communication band. The system may also include a first grounding leg that forms an electrical ground between the PCB and the enclosure, and a second, switchable grounding leg positioned away from the first grounding leg. This switchable grounding leg may provide a controllable electrical ground between the PCB and the enclosure. Various other methods and apparatuses are also disclosed.

The disclosed system may include an enclosure that is configured to house internal electrical components disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB). The system may also include a first antenna feed that is electrically connected to the PCB, to the enclosure, and to a radiating coupling arm configured for wireless communication in a first wireless communication band. The system may further include a second antenna feed that is electrically connected to the PCB and to an antenna configured for wireless communication in a second, different wireless communication band. The system may also include a first grounding leg that forms an electrical ground between the PCB and the enclosure, and a second, switchable grounding leg positioned away from the first grounding leg. This switchable grounding leg may provide a controllable electrical ground between the PCB and the enclosure. Various other methods and apparatuses are also disclosed.

The disclosed structures and methods are directed to antenna systems configured to transmit and receive a wireless signal in and from different directions. A switchable lens antenna has excitation ports radiating radio-frequency (RF) wave into a parallel-plate waveguide structure, and a frequency selective structure (FSS). The antenna presented herein is configured to operate in two modes depending on an initial steering angle of the RF wave propagating in the parallel-plate waveguide structure. When the initial steering angle is about or less than a threshold steering angle, FSS is OFF due to its stubs being electrically disconnected from the parallel-plate waveguide structure. When the initial steering angle is higher than the threshold, FSS is ON with stubs being electrically connected to the parallel-plate waveguide structure. When ON, FSS provides phase variance to the RF wave propagating in the parallel-plate waveguide structure and increases steering angle of the RF wave.