Systems and methods are disclosed herein for a reconfigurable faceted reflector for producing a plurality of antenna patterns. The reconfigurable reflector includes a backing structure, a plurality of adjusting mechanisms mounted to the backing structure, and a plurality of reflector facets. Each of the plurality of reflector facets is coupled to a respective one of the plurality of adjusting mechanisms for adjusting the position of the reflector facet with which it is coupled. The reflector facets are arranged to produce a first antenna pattern of the plurality of antenna patterns. By adjusting the plurality of adjusting mechanisms, the position of each of the reflector facets coupled to the respective one of the plurality of adjusting mechanisms is adjusted so that the reflector facets are arranged to produce a second antenna pattern of the plurality of antenna patterns.

Examples disclosed herein relate to reflectarray antenna for enhanced wireless applications. The reflectarray antenna has a ground conductive plane, a dielectric substrate coupled to the ground conductive plane, and a patterned conductive plane coupled to the dielectric substrate and comprising an array of cells to generate an antenna gain. In some aspects, each cell in the array of cells includes a reflector element with a predetermined custom configuration and configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal and to generate an RF return beam at a predetermined direction. Other examples disclosed herein relate to a portable reflectarray and a method of fabricating a reflectarray antenna.

Systems and methods are provided for a digital beamformed phased array feed. The system may include a radome configured to allow electromagnetic waves to propagate; a multi-band software defined antenna array tile; a power and clock management subsystem configured to manage power and time of operation; a thermal management subsystem configured to dissipate heat generated by the multi-band software defined antenna array tile; and an enclosure assembly. The multi-band software defined antenna array tile may include a plurality of coupled dipole array antenna elements; a plurality of frequency converters; and a plurality of digital beamformers.

Systems and methods are provided for a digital beamformed phased array feed. The system may include a radome configured to allow electromagnetic waves to propagate; a multi-band software defined antenna array tile; a power and clock management subsystem configured to manage power and time of operation; a thermal management subsystem configured to dissipate heat generated by the multi-band software defined antenna array tile; and an enclosure assembly. The multi-band software defined antenna array tile may include a plurality of coupled dipole array antenna elements; a plurality of frequency converters; and a plurality of digital beamformers.

An antenna communication architecture and a method for simultaneous optimal tracking of multiple broadband satellite terminals in support of in theatre operations and rapid deployment applications, and methods in relation therewith. This communication architecture is especially suitable for implementation as a hosted payload configuration on a host spacecraft.

Disclosed here are apparatuses and methods including a waveguide having a length and a port. The waveguide is a split-block construction waveguide, which includes a seam between a first waveguide section and a second waveguide section. The first waveguide section and the second waveguide section form a waveguide cavity, and the seam corresponds to a low surface current location of a propagation mode of the waveguide. The apparatus also includes an antenna coupled to the port of the waveguide. The antenna is configured to (i) receive an electromagnetic signal and propagate the electromagnetic signal into the waveguide, and (ii) transmit a reflected electromagnetic signal from the waveguide. Additionally, the apparatus includes a reflecting component. The reflecting component is configured to provide a short in the waveguide along the length of the waveguide, and to move with a velocity to simulate a radar target having the velocity.

Disclosed here are apparatuses and methods including a waveguide having a length and a port. The waveguide is a split-block construction waveguide, which includes a seam between a first waveguide section and a second waveguide section. The first waveguide section and the second waveguide section form a waveguide cavity, and the seam corresponds to a low surface current location of a propagation mode of the waveguide. The apparatus also includes an antenna coupled to the port of the waveguide. The antenna is configured to (i) receive an electromagnetic signal and propagate the electromagnetic signal into the waveguide, and (ii) transmit a reflected electromagnetic signal from the waveguide. Additionally, the apparatus includes a reflecting component. The reflecting component is configured to provide a short in the waveguide along the length of the waveguide, and to move with a velocity to simulate a radar target having the velocity.

A reflector device having first and second reflector plates to which a reflective surface is attached, respectively, at a prescribed angle of inclination in relation to an axis of rotation, wherein the first reflector plate (1) and the second reflector plate are positioned so as to face one another, and the first reflector plate and/or the second reflector plate are/is capable of rotating around the axis of rotation.

A multiple input, multiple output (“MIMO”) antenna system is provided for operation on a radio frequency (“RF”) module that may be used in a wireless access device. The MIMO antenna system includes a plurality of multi-band antenna elements connected to a radio in a MIMO configuration. The multi-band antenna elements and the radio are configured to operate on an RF module. A reflector is formed on the RF module to contain the plurality of multi-band antenna elements and a common director is positioned in front of the multi-band antenna elements to concentrate signal communication in a sector. The plurality of multi-band antenna elements are oriented to provide a sector coverage pattern formed by beam patterns generated by each of the multi-band antenna elements.

A system for rapidly steering a directive beam in an antenna is provided herein. The system includes: an antenna configured to produce a directive beam; means for steering the beam rapidly, along small angles; and means for steering the beam slowly, along large angles. According to one embodiment, the antenna is implemented as a phased array antenna, wherein the means for steering the beam rapidly, along small angles, is implemented as a phased array control, and wherein the means for steering the beam slowly, along large angles, is a mechanical mechanism implemented using gimbals. According to another embodiment, the antenna includes a main reflector and a sub reflector, and wherein the means for steering the beam rapidly, along small angles, mechanically controls the sub reflector, and wherein the means for steering the beam slowly, along large angles, mechanically controls the main reflector.