Methods and systems are described for providing end-to-end beamforming. For example, end-to-end beamforming systems include end-to-end relays and ground networks to provide communications to user terminals located in user beam coverage areas. The ground segment can include geographically distributed access nodes and a central processing system. Return uplink signals, transmitted from the user terminals, have multipath induced by a plurality of receive/transmit signal paths in the end to end relay and are relayed to the ground network. The ground network, using beamformers, recovers user data streams transmitted by the user terminals from return downlink signals. The ground network, using beamformers generates forward uplink signals from appropriately weighted combinations of user data streams that, after relay by the end-end-end relay, produce forward downlink signals that combine to form user beams.

Methods and systems are described for providing end-to-end beamforming. For example, end-to-end beamforming systems include end-to-end relays and ground networks to provide communications to user terminals located in user beam coverage areas. The ground segment can include geographically distributed access nodes and a central processing system. Return uplink signals, transmitted from the user terminals, have multipath induced by a plurality of receive/transmit signal paths in the end to end relay and are relayed to the ground network. The ground network, using beamformers, recovers user data streams transmitted by the user terminals from return downlink signals. The ground network, using beamformers generates forward uplink signals from appropriately weighted combinations of user data streams that, after relay by the end-end-end relay, produce forward downlink signals that combine to form user beams.

Disclosed is a shaped horn in conjunction with a dielectric tube for enhanced aperture directivity that can achieve a near optimum efficiency. The shaped horn provides additional mode control to provide an improved off-axis cross-polarization response. The horn shape can be individually optimized for isolated horns or for horns in a feed array. The feed array environment can produce results that lead to a different optimized shape than the isolated horn. Lower off axis cross-polarization can result in improved efficiency and susceptibility to interference.

A reflector antenna device includes: a primary radiator to radiate a first radio wave in a first frequency band and a second radio wave in a second frequency band lower in frequency than the first frequency band; and a reflector having a reflection face reflecting the first radio wave and the second radio wave radiated by the primary radiator, in which the reflection face of the reflector has a first region including a center point of the reflection face and a second region that is an outer peripheral region of the first region and is provided with a plurality of recesses, and each of the plurality of recesses is configured to allow entrance of the first radio wave, restrict entrance of the second radio wave, and reflect the first radio wave having entered the recess on a bottom face of the recess.

Disclosed are systems for transmitting and receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal and an optical signal. One system may include a communication terminal comprising a primary concave reflector providing a first focal length to a focal point, and a secondary concave reflector providing a second focal length to the focal point. The communication terminal may further comprise an optical transceiver facing the secondary concave reflector, and one or more RF transceivers facing the primary concave reflector. The optical transceiver may be configured to transmit and receive the optical signal via the primary and secondary concave reflectors through the focal point, and the one or more RF transceivers may be configured to transmit and receive the RF signal via the primary concave reflector. The one or more RF transceivers may be positioned adjacent to the focal point and offset from a path of the optical signal.

Determining movement for alignment of a satellite antenna using accelerometer data and gyroscope data of the satellite antenna. Described techniques include receiving accelerometer data for a first time period from an accelerometer mounted on the antenna and analyzing the accelerometer data to determine a movement time window for a movement event of the antenna. The techniques may include receiving gyroscope data for the first time period from a gyroscope mounted on the antenna and analyzing the gyroscope data during the movement time window to determine an amount of movement of the antenna due to the movement event.

A communication system where a central node (base-station or access point) communicates with multiple clients in its neighbourhood using transparent immediate beam-forming. Resource allocation and channel access is such that the central node does not necessarily know when each client starts its transmission. Receive beam-forming in such a system is not possible, as beam-forming coefficients for each client should be selected according to the particular channel realization from that client to the central node. Each client is detected early in its transmission cycle, based on either a signature that is part of the physical characteristics unique to that client, or based on a signature that is intentionally inserted in the clients' signal, and accordingly adjusts its beam-forming coefficients.

According to an aspect, a satellite antenna reflector includes a first surface area encompassing a first surface, where the first surface is formed to reflect a first radiated signal towards a first focal point. The reflector also includes a second surface area, encompassing a second surface, where the second surface area is formed to reflect a second radiated signal towards a second focal point. The first and second surfaces reflect the first and second radiated signals such that a first antenna gain and/or beamwidth of the reflected first radiated signal that would be received at the first focal point is the same as a second antenna gain and/or beamwidth of the reflected second radiated signal that would be received at the second focal point.

A microstrip-to-waveguide transition includes a substrate and a waveguide. The substrate has a metal layer, a ground layer and a dielectric layer disposed between the metal layer and a ground layer. The substrate includes a microstrip line impedance transformer and a substrate integrated waveguide that is electromagnetically coupled to the microstrip line impedance transformer. The substrate integrated waveguide has a 90 degree substrate integrated waveguide bend section at an end portion thereof. The waveguide is arranged perpendicularly relative to the substrate. The waveguide is electromagnetically coupled to the substrate integrated waveguide at the 90 degree substrate integrated waveguide bend section. The microstrip-to-waveguide transition is free of a back-short at a location corresponding to the 90 degree substrate integrated waveguide bend section.

An inflatable tracking antenna assembly may include an inflatable antenna. The inflatable antenna may be configurable in a packed configuration and a deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration the inflatable antenna may be generally spherical in shape. The assembly may include an antenna support structure. The support structure may include a plurality of support arms that couple with lateral sides of the inflatable antenna. The support structure may include a base that is coupled with each of the plurality of support arms. The base may include an azimuth actuator that adjusts an azimuth position of the inflatable antenna and an elevation actuator that adjusts an elevation angle of the inflatable antenna. The support structure may include a plurality of support legs that extend outward from the base.