An altimeter apparatus for external fuselage mounting for an aircraft includes an altimeter circuit and a chassis. The altimeter circuit is coupled to an antenna system. The altimeter circuit is configured to generate a first signal and transmit the first signal via the antenna system, receive a second signal via the antenna system, wherein the second signal is a reflected version of the first signal, and determine an altitude based on the first and second signals. The chassis is configured to contain the altimeter circuit and the antenna system, wherein the chassis is connected to a fuselage of the aircraft and is located outside of the aircraft.

The present invention relates to a tile structure of a shape-adaptive phased array antenna, and more specifically to a tile structure of a shape-adaptive phased array antenna configured to improve drag and low-observable properties of an airplane, and minimize a structural interference between adjacent tiles of the phased array antenna.

The invention is directed to an antenna structure for producing a horizontally polarized beam. In one embodiment, the antenna structure includes a first quarter-wave patch antenna and a second quarter-wave patch antenna that are positioned such that the ground planes of the patch antennas or a ground plane shared by the patch antennas is disposed between the patches of the two antennas and the shorting structures associated with the antennas are substantially aligned. In operation, the antenna structure is capable of processing an omni-directional, horizontally polarized beam.

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.

Examples disclosed herein describe an antenna architecture (e.g., a planar electronically steered antenna architecture) that enables operation at low elevation angles, down to zero degrees from the satellite. The proposed 3SA architecture may improve power consumption and array footprints. The proposed 3SA architecture can support aero terminal implementation on aircraft, enabling the use of GEO, MEO and LEO satellites even in regions having low elevation angles. The architecture may include a horizontal antenna array and vertical antenna array as well as a controller for switching between the antenna arrays.

A mounting system for an aircraft fuselage includes one or more fixed anchors attached to the fuselage. A plurality of vertically adjustable anchors are likewise attached to the fuselage, wherein each vertically adjustable anchor includes a spinwheel on a threaded shaft. An adapter plate is attached to the fixed anchors and the adjustable anchors, wherein a contact surface of the spinwheel directly engages with the adapter plate.

Cells of a composite cell array are cured by placing tool blocks in the cells and inserting thermally conductive elements in each of the tool blocks. The thermally conductive elements are convectively heated by a flow of hot air. The heated conductive elements conduct heat to the tooling blocks, which then conduct heat to the cells to cure the composite and adhesive.

A method for repair of a multifunctional wideband array includes processes and operations of assessing electrical and structural impairment to the multifunctional wideband array; cutting an opening in a superstrate of the multifunctional wideband array to expose an impaired backskin section of a lower electronics assembly of the multifunctional wideband array; replacing the impaired backskin section with a replacement backskin section; and repairing the opening in the superstrate. A system of multifunctional wideband array repair includes a core having longitudinal core strips and transverse core strips; a backskin having electronics connected to the core and providing electrical functionality enabling the core cells of the core to function as a phased array antenna aperture; a number of splice clips connecting longitudinal core strips to longitudinal repair core strips; and a section of the backskin electrically connected and structurally bonded to the repair core strips.

Antennas configuration for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising at least one pair of patch antennas. Each patch antenna having a patch mounted on a ground plane. A UAV body having at least one portion constructed of material that minimally attenuates the electromagnetic signal transmitted or received by said plurality of antennas. Wherein the at least one pair of patch antennas are mounted within the UAV body and near the inner surface of the UAV body. Each antenna from the pair of patch antennas further installed opposite to one another and each of the patches facing outside from the UAV body.

A method, apparatus and system for extended wireless communication include an airborne platform including at least one antenna to pick up and radiate wireless signals, a platform controller to control the altitude and attitude of the airborne platform, and a communication payload. In an embodiment, the communication payload includes at least two transponders to establish wireless links and a controller having a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. In some embodiments, the memory has stored therein instructions executable by the processor to cause the airborne communication system to elevate the airborne platform to an altitude at which wireless connectivity is able to be established with a first wireless network, establish a first wireless link to the first wireless network, establish a second wireless link, and relay data between the first wireless link and the second wireless link.