An apparatus comprises both a first side and a second side that is opposite the first side. The apparatus includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells disposed on the first side of the substrate and a plurality of microwave antennas disposed on both the first side of the substrate and the second side of the substrate. In addition, the apparatus comprises at least one photonic integrated circuit operably coupled to the substrate and to at least one of the plurality of photovoltaic cells to thereby receive electrical power therefrom. By one approach, the apparatus can further comprise at least one atomic clock supported by the substrate. By one approach, at least some of the aforementioned plurality of microwave antennas that are disposed on the first side of the substrate can comprise an optically transparent portion that serves as both a protective cover and a focusing lens.

An apparatus comprises both a first side and a second side that is opposite the first side. The apparatus includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells disposed on the first side of the substrate and a plurality of microwave antennas disposed on both the first side of the substrate and the second side of the substrate. In addition, the apparatus comprises at least one photonic integrated circuit operably coupled to the substrate and to at least one of the plurality of photovoltaic cells to thereby receive electrical power therefrom. By one approach, the apparatus can further comprise at least one atomic clock supported by the substrate. By one approach, at least some of the aforementioned plurality of microwave antennas that are disposed on the first side of the substrate can comprise an optically transparent portion that serves as both a protective cover and a focusing lens.

A phase shifter element includes: a first signal path and a second signal path extending in parallel between an input node of the phase shifter element and an output node of the phase shifter element; at least one first signal path e-fuse in the first signal path; and at least one second signal path e-fuse in the second signal path. The phase shifter element is programmable to select one of the first signal path and the second signal path. The phase shifter element has a first phase shift when the first signal path is selected and a second phase shift, different than the first phase shift, when the second signal path is selected.

A phase shifter element includes: a first signal path and a second signal path extending in parallel between an input node of the phase shifter element and an output node of the phase shifter element; at least one first signal path e-fuse in the first signal path; and at least one second signal path e-fuse in the second signal path. The phase shifter element is programmable to select one of the first signal path and the second signal path. The phase shifter element has a first phase shift when the first signal path is selected and a second phase shift, different than the first phase shift, when the second signal path is selected.

A twin beam base station antenna includes a first array that has a plurality of columns of first frequency band radiating elements, the first array configured to form a first antenna beam that provides coverage throughout a first sub-sector of a three-sector base station. The radiating elements in a first of the columns in the first array have a first azimuth boresight pointing direction and the radiating elements in a second of the columns in the first array have a second azimuth boresight pointing direction that is offset from the first azimuth boresight pointing direction by at least 10°. The radiating elements in the second of the columns in the first array are electrically steered.

A twin beam base station antenna includes a first array that has a plurality of columns of first frequency band radiating elements, the first array configured to form a first antenna beam that provides coverage throughout a first sub-sector of a three-sector base station. The radiating elements in a first of the columns in the first array have a first azimuth boresight pointing direction and the radiating elements in a second of the columns in the first array have a second azimuth boresight pointing direction that is offset from the first azimuth boresight pointing direction by at least 10°. The radiating elements in the second of the columns in the first array are electrically steered.

The technologies described herein are generally directed to facilitate allocating resources to zones for IOT equipment in a fifth generation (5G) network or other next generation networks. An example method discussed herein includes identifying, by carrier allocation equipment, carrier transmission information corresponding to transmission of a first carrier signal configured to support Internet of things equipment. The method can further comprise analyzing, by the carrier allocation equipment, the carrier transmission information to determine coverage information corresponding to a potential for coverage, by the first carrier signal, of an Internet of things equipment support zone corresponding to a geographic area. The method can further include, based on the coverage information, facilitating configuring transmission parameter information, representative of a transmission parameter applicable to the coverage of the Internet of things equipment support zone by the first carrier signal.

The technologies described herein are generally directed to facilitate allocating resources to zones for IOT equipment in a fifth generation (5G) network or other next generation networks. An example method discussed herein includes identifying, by carrier allocation equipment, carrier transmission information corresponding to transmission of a first carrier signal configured to support Internet of things equipment. The method can further comprise analyzing, by the carrier allocation equipment, the carrier transmission information to determine coverage information corresponding to a potential for coverage, by the first carrier signal, of an Internet of things equipment support zone corresponding to a geographic area. The method can further include, based on the coverage information, facilitating configuring transmission parameter information, representative of a transmission parameter applicable to the coverage of the Internet of things equipment support zone by the first carrier signal.

The present disclosure relates to spherical dual-polarization phased array weather radar. The spherical dual-polarization phased array weather radar comprises a spherical crown phased array antenna module, a digital transceiver module and a signal processing module, wherein the spherical crown phased array antenna module comprises a spherical support frame and a plurality of dual-polarization micro-strip radiation units; the dual-polarized micro-strip radiation units are tightly arranged on the spherical support frame; the spherical crown phased array antenna module is used for detecting weather; wireless transmission is carried out between the digital transceiver module and the spherical crown phased array antenna module; the digital transceiver module is used for generating a frequency modulation signal or a phase coding signal required for detecting meteorological targets and receiving an echo signal reflected by the target; and the signal processing module is connected with the digital transceiver module.

Disclosed herein is a phased array antenna system that includes: a first array of antenna elements having a first and second antenna element; a second array of antenna elements having a third and fourth antenna element; a beamforming integrated circuit (IC) coupled to the first and second arrays; and a set of transmission lines coupling the beamforming IC to the first and second arrays. The first and second arrays are parallel to and facing in opposite directions of each other. The set of transmission lines is configured to delay radio frequency (RF) signals from the beamforming IC to first and third antenna elements.