A satellite-communications gateway includes a hub and an antenna configured for satellite communications. The antenna is mounted to the hub and supported by the hub. The antenna includes a plurality of panels forming a parabolic dish. The panels are carbon fiber-reinforce polymer. The parabolic dish has a diameter in a range of 9 to 13 meters.

A deployable membrane structure for an antenna comprises a membrane comprising a plurality of first regions of higher-stiffness material integrally connected via one or more second regions of lower-stiffness material, wherein the one or more second regions are formed from compliant material configured to permit the membrane to be folded into a collapsed configuration and subsequently unfolded into a deployed configuration, and are arranged so as to allow adjacent ones of the plurality of first regions to be folded so as to lie against one another. In some embodiments the membrane is formed of a composite material comprising a plurality of fibres in a compliant matrix, and the plurality of first regions comprise material with a higher fibre density than the one or more second regions. A deployable antenna comprising the deployable membrane structure is also disclosed.

Deployable tile aperture devices, systems, and methods are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments include a device that may include multiple aperture tiles that may be coupled with each other such the multiple aperture tiles have a stacked stowed configuration and a flat deployed configuration. Some embodiments include one or more tension chords configured to deploy the multiple aperture tiles when tension is applied to the one or more tension chords. The flat deployed configuration may include at least one side edge portion of each aperture tile from the multiple aperture tiles making contact with another side edge portion of another aperture tile from the multiple aperture tiles. The flat deployed configuration may form one or more continuous face surfaces formed from the multiple aperture tiles. The one or more tension chords may pass through at least a portion of one or more of the multiple aperture tiles.

Systems and methods are provided for provisioning of telecommunications signals in moving trains. A scattering panel configured for redirecting signals in a train system, with the scattering panel having a plurality of facets. The plurality of facets together may combine to provide a plurality of adjacent curved reflectors, with at least one facet of the plurality of facets facing in a different direction relative to at least one other facet of the plurality of facets, with at least one facet of the plurality of facets having one or more flat planar surfaces and at least one other facet of the plurality of facets having a curved surface portion, and with at least one facet of the plurality of facets having structures configured for modifying signals propagating over a surface of the at least one facet in at least one direction relative to the surface.

Systems and methods for making an antenna reflector. The methods comprise: obtaining a Carbon Nano-Tube (“CNT”) material; cutting the CNT material into a plurality of wedge shaped pieces; and bonding together the wedge shaped pieces using a resin film adhesive to form the antenna reflector with a three dimensional contoured surface.

A deployable membrane structure for an antenna comprises a membrane comprising a plurality of first regions of higher-stiffness material integrally connected via one or more second regions of lower-stiffness material, wherein the one or more second regions are formed from compliant material configured to permit the membrane to be folded into a collapsed configuration and subsequently unfolded into a deployed configuration, and are arranged so as to allow adjacent ones of the plurality of first regions to be folded so as to lie against one another. In some embodiments the membrane is formed of a composite material comprising a plurality of fibres in a compliant matrix, and the plurality of first regions comprise material with a higher fibre density than the one or more second regions. A deployable antenna comprising the deployable membrane structure is also disclosed.

A satellite-communications gateway includes a hub and an antenna configured for satellite communications. The antenna is mounted to the hub and supported by the hub. The antenna includes a plurality of panels forming a parabolic dish. The panels are carbon fiber-reinforce polymer. The parabolic dish has a diameter in a range of 9 to 13 meters.

An article, integrated device, apparatus and a method for mounting a satellite antenna feed structure to an antenna reflector unit. The device comprises, in combination, a housing associated with the feed structure and a cup mounted to the antenna reflector unit. The housing includes a plurality of members projecting radially therefrom, the members being arranged and configured for cooperative engagement with slots correspondingly arranged and configured in the cup, a resilient gasket lining at least a bottom interior surface of the cup. Alternatively, the cup includes a plurality of inwardly projecting members arranged and configured for cooperative engagement with slots correspondingly arranged and configured in the housing. Upon positioning the housing axially relative to, and in mating engagement with, the cup, engaging the members with and sliding them into receiving ports of the slots, rotating the housing such that the members engage with and slide along the slots, and thereby biasing a mating portion of the housing against the gasket lining, the housing is engaged firmly within the cup.

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.

Systems and methods are provided for provisioning of telecommunications signals in moving trains. Scattering panels may be utilized for redirecting wireless signals, such as by scattering them, to provide better communication performance on the moving trains. The scattering panels may be configured to scatter the signals, such as by reflecting them. The scattering panels may be configured for operation in conjunction with a number of antennas that communicate the signals being scattered via the scattering panels.