A planar antenna includes a plurality of antenna elements and transmits and receives a radio wave to and from a target. An attitude controller is attached to the planar antenna and controls an attitude of the planar antenna mechanically. An antenna controller controls the attitude controller such that the planar antenna points in a predetermined direction with respect to the target. A scan controller controls beam scanning performed by the planar antenna and adjusts an excitation phase of each of the antenna elements in accordance with a signal level of a reception signal generated from a radio wave received from the target during performance of the beam scanning, thereby directing a beam from the planar antenna toward the target. The scan controller limits a range of the beam scanning to a range within which no grating lobe occurs.

Disclosed is a cross loop antenna system for an aerial vehicle. In one embodiment, the cross loop antenna system includes a cross bar antenna and a ground plane. The cross bar antenna includes two thin coplanar perpendicular bars that intersect in the middle and are parallel to the ground plane. Each bar couples to the ground plane at each end, comprising an antenna loop. Thus, the cross loop antenna system comprises two intersecting single-fed loops. The antenna can operate at a wavelength that is approximately twice the length of the bars. In such an embodiment, the antenna system may be resonant. The distance between the bars and the ground plane may be relatively small, thus minimalizing the vertical profile of the antenna. The antenna may be operated as a dual-band antenna and may produce an omnidirectional radiation pattern. An aerial vehicle may include two such antennas.

The present invention provides an unmanned aerial vehicle built-in dual-band antenna and an unmanned aerial vehicle. The unmanned aerial vehicle built-in dual-band antenna includes a first frequency band microstrip antenna and a second frequency band microstrip antenna. The first frequency band microstrip antenna includes a first substrate, a first microstrip feeder and a grounding terminal that are disposed on a first surface of the first substrate, a grounding terminal disposed on a second surface of the first substrate and a feeding coaxial line. A feed terminal of the feeding coaxial line is connected to a first terminal of the first microstrip feeder, and a grounding terminal of the feeding coaxial line is connected to the grounding terminal of the first surface. The grounding terminal of the first surface is connected to the grounding terminal of the second surface. The second frequency band microstrip antenna includes a second substrate and a second microstrip feeder disposed on the second substrate. The first frequency band microstrip antenna is connected to the second frequency band microstrip antenna.

The present invention provides an unmanned aerial vehicle built-in antenna. The unmanned aerial vehicle built-in antenna includes a substrate and a microstrip antenna disposed on the substrate. The substrate is provided with a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite to each other. The microstrip antenna includes a microstrip feeder, an antenna element arm, a grounding wire and a first grounding terminal that are disposed on the first surface of the substrate, a second grounding terminal disposed on the second surface of the substrate and a feeding coaxial line. A feed terminal of the feeding coaxial line is connected to a first terminal of the microstrip feeder, and a grounding terminal of the feeding coaxial line is connected to the first grounding terminal. A first end of the grounding wire is connected to a first terminal of the antenna element arm, and a second end of the grounding wire is connected to the first grounding terminal. The first grounding terminal is connected to the second grounding terminal.

An antenna array has a plurality of square or rectangular antenna assemblies. Each assembly includes a first antenna assembly surface with a solar cell and a second antenna assembly with one or more antenna elements. The antenna assemblies are interconnected without gaps therebetween to form a first contiguous array surface comprised of the first antenna assembly surfaces and a second contiguous array surface comprised of the second antenna assembly surfaces. The antenna assemblies are connected together by mechanically stored-energy connectors, such as spring tape, that self-deploy the array in space without the use of electric energy.

An antenna assembly has a solar layer having one or more solar cells generating solar power, an antenna layer connected to the solar layer and having electronic components utilizing the solar power generated by the solar layer, and a thermal dissipation device dissipating heat locally at the antenna assembly. A large number of antenna assemblies are connected to form an antenna array in which heat is generated locally at each antenna assembly and dissipated locally at each antenna assembly.

An array of antenna assemblies each generate solar power and utilize the generated solar power at that antenna assembly, which enables large amounts of power to be generated. An antenna assembly having a flat antenna layer forming a first outer surface of said antenna assembly, a flat solar layer forming a second outer surface of said antenna assembly, and a flat structural layer having a flat support structure sandwiched between the antenna layer and the solar layer. The antenna layer has a flat antenna plate with one or more antennas at the first outer surface of the antenna assembly to communicate with Earth. The solar layer has a flat solar plate with one or more solar cells at the second outer surface of the antenna assembly to receive solar energy and generate power.

Systems, methods, and apparatus for an electromagnetic (EM) panel are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a disclosed electromagnetic (EM) panel comprises an outer skin, an inner skin, a core disposed between the outer skin and the inner skin, and at least one receiver to receive at least one first signal. In at least one embodiment, at least one receiver is disposed within an opening on the outer skin of the EM panel. At least one receiver is an optical sensor(s) and/or a radio frequency (RF) antenna(s). In one or more embodiments, the EM panel further comprises at least one transmitter to transmit at least one second signal. In at least one embodiment, at least one transmitter is disposed within an opening on the outer skin of the EM panel. At least one transmitter is a laser(s) and/or a RF antenna(s).

A wireless communication device includes a metallic chassis, a slot extending through a sidewall of the metallic chassis, and a slot antenna secured to an inner surface of the metallic chassis and adjacent the slot. The slot antenna is integrated into the metallic chassis, giving the appearance and function of an internal antenna used with wireless communication devices having non-metallic chassis.

An aircraft enhanced vision system includes an electromagnetic sensor comprising at least one group of transmitters and at least one group of receivers. The electromagnetic sensor includes a waveform generation assembly powering each transmitter in order to generate the transmitted signal and a signal capture assembly to capture the signal received by each receiver after reflection off of the ground. The transmitters are distinct and spaced apart from the receivers, being arranged so as to form at least one virtual transmitter/receiver network extending in an elongation direction perpendicular to the observation direction from each transmitter/receiver combination between the group of transmitters and the group of receivers.