An antenna extender and an antenna extended with a laser induced includes a laser source and an antenna feed. The laser source is capable of emitting a laser beam along an axis with sufficient power to produce a laser induced plasma in an atmosphere along the axis of the laser beam. The antenna feed extends along the axis for coupling between a radiofrequency signal and the laser induced plasma. The antenna feed extended with the laser induced plasma has an enhanced radiation efficiency for the radiofrequency signal that is greater than the antenna feed that is not extended and has a stub radiation efficiency for the radiofrequency signal when the laser source is deactivated and does not emit the laser beam.

An antenna extender and an antenna extended with a laser induced includes a laser source and an antenna feed. The laser source is capable of emitting a laser beam along an axis with sufficient power to produce a laser induced plasma in an atmosphere along the axis of the laser beam. The antenna feed extends along the axis for coupling between a radiofrequency signal and the laser induced plasma. The antenna feed extended with the laser induced plasma has an enhanced radiation efficiency for the radiofrequency signal that is greater than the antenna feed that is not extended and has a stub radiation efficiency for the radiofrequency signal when the laser source is deactivated and does not emit the laser beam.

An antenna extender and an antenna extended with a laser induced includes a laser source and an antenna feed. The laser source is capable of emitting a laser beam along an axis with sufficient power to produce a laser induced plasma in an atmosphere along the axis of the laser beam. The antenna feed extends along the axis for coupling between a radiofrequency signal and the laser induced plasma. The antenna feed extended with the laser induced plasma has an enhanced radiation efficiency for the radiofrequency signal that is greater than the antenna feed that is not extended and has a stub radiation efficiency for the radiofrequency signal when the laser source is deactivated and does not emit the laser beam.

An apparatus includes a plurality of transceiver circuits and a plurality of feedback networks. Each of the plurality of transceiver circuits may be coupled to a respective antenna element in a respective group of antenna elements of a phased array antenna. Each of the transceiver circuits generally comprises a power amplifier circuit configured, when operating in a transmit mode, to drive the respective antenna element in the respective group of antenna elements. Each of the plurality of feedback networks may be coupled between an output and an input of a respective power amplifier circuit of a respective transceiver circuit. Each of the feedback networks generally comprises a resistor and a capacitor connected in series. The respective power amplifier circuit with the feedback network generally maintains a power matching condition with load variation associated with the antenna elements of the phased array antenna.

An apparatus includes a plurality of transceiver circuits and a plurality of feedback networks. Each of the plurality of transceiver circuits may be coupled to a respective antenna element in a respective group of antenna elements of a phased array antenna. Each of the transceiver circuits generally comprises a power amplifier circuit configured, when operating in a transmit mode, to drive the respective antenna element in the respective group of antenna elements. Each of the plurality of feedback networks may be coupled between an output and an input of a respective power amplifier circuit of a respective transceiver circuit. Each of the feedback networks generally comprises a resistor and a capacitor connected in series. The respective power amplifier circuit with the feedback network generally maintains a power matching condition with load variation associated with the antenna elements of the phased array antenna.

An apparatus includes a phased array antenna panel and one or more beam former circuits mounted on the phased antenna array panel. The phased array antenna panel generally comprises a plurality of antenna elements arranged in one or more groups. Each of the one or more beam former circuits may be coupled to a respective group of the antenna elements. Each of the one or more beam former circuits may comprise a plurality of transceiver channels. Each transceiver channel generally comprises a power amplifier circuit configured, when operating in a transmit mode, to drive a respective one of the antenna elements. The power amplifier generally comprises a feedback network coupled between an output and an input of the power amplifier circuit.

An apparatus includes a phased array antenna panel and one or more beam former circuits mounted on the phased antenna array panel. The phased array antenna panel generally comprises a plurality of antenna elements arranged in one or more groups. Each of the one or more beam former circuits may be coupled to a respective group of the antenna elements. Each of the one or more beam former circuits may comprise a plurality of transceiver channels. Each transceiver channel generally comprises a power amplifier circuit configured, when operating in a transmit mode, to drive a respective one of the antenna elements. The power amplifier generally comprises a feedback network coupled between an output and an input of the power amplifier circuit.

A system and a method for communicating through a plasma sheath formed on a vehicle, include a matching layer disposed on at least a portion of a communication device of the vehicle. The matching layer is configured to generate a resonant frequency in relation to the plasma sheath. A modulator is configured to generate one or more electromagnetic waves that modulate the resonant frequency.

An aircraft communications system may include a RF-transparent enclosure, a plasma antenna element and a controller. The RF-transparent enclosure may be disposed substantially conformal with a portion of the aircraft. The plasma antenna element may be housed within the RF-transparent enclosure. The controller may be operably coupled to the plasma antenna element to provide control of operation of the plasma antenna element. The plasma antenna element may include one or more RF-conductive plasma devices that are selectively ionized to a plasma state under control of the controller.

An aircraft communications system may include a RF-transparent enclosure, a plasma antenna element and a controller. The RF-transparent enclosure may be disposed substantially conformal with a portion of the aircraft. The plasma antenna element may be housed within the RF-transparent enclosure. The controller may be operably coupled to the plasma antenna element to provide control of operation of the plasma antenna element. The plasma antenna element may include one or more RF-conductive plasma devices that are selectively ionized to a plasma state under control of the controller.