A spacecraft includes a payload subsystem, the payload subsystem including a phased array of feed elements configured to illuminate an antenna reflector, a beam forming network (BFN) disposed proximate to the array of feed elements, and a plurality of power amplifiers disposed between the BFN and the array of feed elements. The BFN includes a plurality of variable amplitude and phase adjusting arrangements disposed between (i) m:1 power combiners that are communicatively coupled with the power amplifiers and (ii) at least one 1:n power splitter, where m is greater than 1, and n is greater than 2.

An apparatus includes a phased array antenna panel and a plurality of beam former circuits. The phased array antenna panel generally comprises a plurality of antenna elements. The plurality of beam former circuits are each mounted on the phased array antenna panel adjacent to a number of the antenna elements. Each beam former circuit has one or more ports directly coupled to each of the adjacent antenna elements. Each beam former circuit may be configured to generate a plurality of radio-frequency output signals at the ports while in a transmit mode and receive a plurality of radio-frequency input signals at the ports while in a receive mode. Each beam former circuit generally implements a hard-wired address.

An apparatus includes a phased array antenna panel and a plurality of beam former circuits. The phased array antenna panel generally comprises a plurality of antenna elements. The plurality of beam former circuits are each mounted on the phased array antenna panel adjacent to a number of the antenna elements. Each beam former circuit has one or more ports directly coupled to each of the adjacent antenna elements. Each beam former circuit may be configured to generate a plurality of radio-frequency output signals at the ports while in a transmit mode and receive a plurality of radio-frequency input signals at the ports while in a receive mode. Each beam former circuit generally implements a hard-wired address.

An apparatus includes a phased array antenna panel and one or more beam former circuits mounted on the phased array antenna panel. The phased array antenna panel generally comprises a plurality of antenna elements. The plurality of antenna elements are generally arranged in one or more groups. Each beam former circuit may be coupled to a respective group of the antenna elements. Each beam former circuit generally comprises 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 circuit generally comprises separate bias and voltage supply inputs providing additional power control.

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. The phased array antenna panel generally comprises a plurality of antenna elements. The plurality of antenna elements are generally arranged in one or more groups. The one or more beam former circuits may be mounted on the phased array antenna panel. Each beam former circuit is generally coupled to a respective group of the antenna elements. Each beam former circuit generally comprises a plurality of transceiver channels comprising a transmit channel and a receive channel. The phased array antenna panel is generally configured to distribute a control signal to each of the beam former circuits. Each of the transceiver channels is generally configured to switch between a transmit mode and a receive mode in response to the control signal.

An antenna stand for holding a flexible or non-flexible planar antenna includes a base and support frame. The support frame includes two spaced apart legs and a horizontal cross member interposed therebetween. At least two lower antenna supports are provided on the support frame on which the bottom edge of the planar antenna may rest. An optional extendable antenna holding arm includes an upper antenna clip that engages the top edge of the planar antenna. The extendable antenna holding arm support is adjustably mounted to the support frame so that the distance between the lower antenna supports and the upper antenna clip can be varied to accommodate planar antennas of varying dimensions. The support frame may be arcuately shaped transversely to impart a slight lateral bend to a flexible planar antenna mounted on the stand. This helps to maintain the flexible planar antenna in an upright position on the stand.

An antenna stand for holding a flexible or non-flexible planar antenna includes a base and support frame. The support frame includes two spaced apart legs and a horizontal cross member interposed therebetween. At least two lower antenna supports are provided on the support frame on which the bottom edge of the planar antenna may rest. An optional extendable antenna holding arm includes an upper antenna clip that engages the top edge of the planar antenna. The extendable antenna holding arm support is adjustably mounted to the support frame so that the distance between the lower antenna supports and the upper antenna clip can be varied to accommodate planar antennas of varying dimensions. The support frame may be arcuately shaped transversely to impart a slight lateral bend to a flexible planar antenna mounted on the stand. This helps to maintain the flexible planar antenna in an upright position on the stand.

An antenna device includes a ground conductor (1), a dielectric tube (2) containing an ionizing gas and passing through the ground conductor, whose folded-back portion (201) and both ends are disposed in different sides of the ground conductor, first electrodes (3, 4) disposed at both ends of the dielectric tube (2), a plasma excitation power supply connected to the first electrodes, bringing the ionizing gas into a plasma state; a second electrode (6) ring-shaped and disposed at the both ends side of dielectric tube (2) from the ground conductor (1), fitted to and in contact with the dielectric tube outer surface, a high frequency transmitter (7) supplying a high frequency signal to the second electrode (6), and a feed line (8) connecting the second electrode and the high frequency transmitter. Each end of the dielectric tube (2) is larger than the second electrode in the inner diameter.

An antenna device includes a ground conductor (1), a dielectric tube (2) containing an ionizing gas and passing through the ground conductor, whose folded-back portion (201) and both ends are disposed in different sides of the ground conductor, first electrodes (3, 4) disposed at both ends of the dielectric tube (2), a plasma excitation power supply connected to the first electrodes, bringing the ionizing gas into a plasma state; a second electrode (6) ring-shaped and disposed at the both ends side of dielectric tube (2) from the ground conductor (1), fitted to and in contact with the dielectric tube outer surface, a high frequency transmitter (7) supplying a high frequency signal to the second electrode (6), and a feed line (8) connecting the second electrode and the high frequency transmitter. Each end of the dielectric tube (2) is larger than the second electrode in the inner diameter.