A multi-polarization radio frequency (RF) antenna includes an array of impulse sensors that are capable of detecting RF signals within a surrounding environment. In some embodiments, antennas are provided for use within the high frequency (HF) band. The array of impulse sensors may include, for example, one or more B-dot sensors and/or one or more D-dot sensors. Various different antenna configurations are provided that are capable of operation with multiple different polarizations.

A structural antenna array may include a core including intersecting wall sections, wherein the core further includes antenna elements formed on a first surface of the wall sections, and feed elements formed on a second surface of the wall sections, a distribution substrate layer coupled to the core and in electrical communication with the antenna elements and the feed elements, a first skin coupled to the core opposite the distribution substrate layer, and a second skin coupled to the distribution substrate layer opposite the first skin.

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.

A flat antenna for satellite communication includes a radiating board. The radiating board includes at least one radiating line, and an adapter configured to modify the delay of the fields transmitted or received by the radiating line. The adapter includes a horn mobile in rotation between the two metal plates containing a sensor array. The horn is also mobile in rotation between at least one coaxial cable connected between at least one sensor of the network and the radiating line. The length of the coaxial cable is suitable for introducing a delay required to focus the wave radiated by the radiating line.

A flat antenna for satellite communication includes a radiating board. The radiating board includes at least one radiating line, and an adapter configured to modify the delay of the fields transmitted or received by the radiating line. The adapter includes a horn mobile in rotation between the two metal plates, and a multilayer power supply circuit. The first layer of the multilayer power supply circuit is formed at least one metal plate containing an array of slot sensors and the last layer of the multilayer power supply circuit is provided with at least one coupling slot connected to the radiating line. The first layer and the last layer is linked by at least one transmission line. The length of the transmission line is suitable for introducing a delay required to focus the wave radiated by the radiating line.

An annular slot antenna includes an inner conductor divided by a dielectric gap into a rear section and a front section. An inner conductor of a coaxial feed line is contacted with the front section of the inner conductor and the outer conductor of the coaxial feed line is contacted with the rear section.

A monocone antenna includes a conical radiation element having a feed point at a vertex of the conical radiation element being connected to a feed transmission line and a capacitive ring radially outside of the conical radiation element and in proximity to the conical radiation element. The capacitive ring is connected to a ground plane of the monocone antenna. Optionally, a capacitive gap may be defined between the conical radiation element and the capacitive ring that is substantially filled with dielectric material.

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.

A contiguous radiating ring antenna structure suitable for a vehicle is disclosed. The antenna structure comprises a curved shape structure having a plurality of radiating rings, a plurality of sectors, a connecting unit, and a plurality of frequency barriers. The antenna structure has a phase variation of less than 2 degrees over 360 of azimuth coverage and about +/85 of elevation coverage. The antenna structure has a thickness of less than 0.5 inches. The contiguous radiating ring antenna structure is design for demanding vehicular applications, including missiles, rockets, and aircraft. The contiguous radiating annular ring antenna comprises a beam forming network, which is configured to be incorporated into a printed antenna board for enhancing the vehicular communications.

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.