Patent classifications
H01Q1/281
Seeker sequential lobing radar antenna system
A radar antenna includes a plurality of horns in the annular space of a munition nose cone. The horns are disposed near the exterior surface of the nose cone. In a further aspect, the nose cone may be injection molded or additively manufactured so that the horns are embedded a known distance from the exterior surface. In a further aspect, the horns placed in either a transmit mode or a receive mode so as to maintain a minimum special separation between transmitting horns and receiving horns.
COMPACT ANTENNA SYSTEM FOR MUNITION
A compact munition antenna system that includes a curvilinear transmit antenna on a top and bottom of a ring-shaped substrate, and a curvilinear receive antenna on the top and bottom of the substrate. The transmit antenna and receive antenna are positioned opposite one another on the substrate, and are separated by a pair of isolation barriers to reduce coupling of the two antennas. The munition antenna system may be mounted on a metal cylindrical portion of a guidance system in a nose section of the munition, using a vertical convex surface of the cylindrical portion and a horizontal surface of the munition as a reflector for improving antenna performance.
Radome cover shell and opening kinematic
An aircraft with an aircraft structure that comprises a radome cover opening kinematic and a radome cover shell that is adapted to enclose equipment in a nose region of the aircraft in a closed position. The radome cover opening kinematic may enable movements of the radome cover shell between the closed position and an opened position and vice versa. The radome cover opening kinematic may include a guiding rail that is attached to the radome cover shell, and at least three rollers that are attached to the aircraft structure, wherein a first and a second roller are arranged on opposing sides of the guiding rail, and wherein the second and a third roller are arranged on the same side of the guiding rail.
Methods and systems for utilizing dual global positioning system (GPS) antennas in vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aerial vehicles
Systems, devices, and methods for a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aerial vehicle having a first GPS antenna and a second GPS antenna, where the second GPS antenna is disposed distal from the first GPS antenna; and an aerial vehicle flight controller, where the flight controller is configured to: utilize a GPS antenna signal via the GPS antenna switch from the first GPS antenna or the second GPS antenna; receive a pitch level of the aerial vehicle from the one or more aerial vehicle sensors in vertical flight or horizontal flight; determine if the received pitch level is at a set rotation from vertical or horizontal; and utilize the GPS signal not being utilized via the GPS antenna switch if the determined pitch level is at or above the set rotation.
METHOD FOR DYNAMIC HEAT SENSING IN HYPERSONIC APPLICATIONS
A heat sensing system and method for dynamic heat sensing may be implemented in a flight vehicle having a main antenna configured for sending and/or receipt of signals. The system includes an auxiliary antenna system that is arranged within a radome of the flight vehicle for detecting temperatures around the exterior surface of the radome. The auxiliary antenna is configured for receiving and measuring infrared or optical energy. Using the measured energy, the system is configured to determine whether the detected temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature and rotating the vehicle to equalize heat around the vehicle when the current temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature.
RADOME WITH CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE
In a first example, a radome includes a shell including a ceramic matrix composite, the shell forming a first hole at a forward end of the shell and a second hole at an aft end of the shell. The radome also includes a fluid impervious coating on the shell. In a second example, a vehicle includes a main body, the radome, and an attachment assembly that couples the radome to the main body. In a third example, a method includes forming a shell comprising a ceramic matrix composite using a wet layup process, applying a fluid impervious coating onto the shell, and curing the shell and the fluid impervious coating.
Compact Wideband Radio Frequency Antenna Systems and Associated Methods
A compact, wideband antenna system includes first and second monopole radiating elements positioned near an edge of a common ground plane. The first and second monopole radiating elements may be located on opposite sides of the ground plane. Additional monopole elements may also be provided. In some embodiments, the ground plane includes an opening in a central region thereof to accommodate an optical system. In some embodiments, an additional antenna (e.g., an array antenna) may be provided over the same ground plane in a region between the monopole elements.
MONOLITHIC QUAD SWITCH FOR RECONFIGURABLE ANTENNAS
A phased array antenna which can change the configuration of the phased array antenna by controllable quad switches on the phased array antenna is presented. The phased array antenna adapts monolithic microwave integrate circuit (MMIC) technology to have high isolation interconnection of the reconfigurable phased array antenna. The reconfigurable phased array antenna can be reusable and adaptable to different configurations so that the overall cost and lead time of the phased array antenna is reduced compared to the existing RF antennas in the market.
BEAM SHARPENING RADAR SYSTEM AND METHOD
A radar system, such as a weather radar system, includes a radar antenna and a processor. The processor is configured to cause a first radar beam to be provided using a first portion of the radar antenna. The processor is configured to cause a second radar beam to be provided using a phase adjusted portion of the antenna and a remaining portion of the radar antenna. A radar method and system can allow multiple low-loss overlapping radar beams to be rapidly generated to support a sequential lobing process which may be used to generate intra-beam target angle estimates. The production of these overlapping beams does not require mechanical antenna movement but beam selection is controlled by a simple electronic switch in some embodiments.
Asymmetrically Constructed Radome
An asymmetrically constructed radome for an aircraft and an aircraft having an antenna and a corresponding radome are described. The radome has a first layer with a first dielectric constant and a first layer thickness, and a second layer with a second dielectric constant and a second layer thickness. The first layer thickness and the second layer thickness are different from each other. The first layer includes a thermosetting material and the second layer includes a thermoplastic material. Such an asymmetrical radome structure improves the mechanical stability and electromagnetic transparency of the radome.