Surface scattering antennas provide adjustable radiation fields by adjustably coupling scattering elements along a wave-propagating structure. In some approaches, the scattering elements are patch elements. In some approaches, the scattering elements are made adjustable by disposing an electrically adjustable material, such as a liquid crystal, in proximity to the scattering elements. Methods and systems provide control and adjustment of surface scattering antennas for various applications.

Surface scattering antenna improvements

Described embodiments include an antenna system and method. The antenna system includes a surface scattering antenna that has an electromagnetic waveguide structure and a plurality of electromagnetic wave scattering elements. The plurality of electromagnetic wave scattering elements are distributed along the waveguide structure, have a respective activatable electromagnetic response to a guided propagating electromagnetic wave, and produce a controllable radiation pattern. A gain definition circuit defines a radiation pattern configured to acquire a possible interfering signal. The defined antenna radiation pattern has a field of view covering at least a portion of an undesired field of view of an associated antenna. An antenna controller establishes the defined radiation pattern in the surface scattering antenna by activating the respective electromagnetic response of selected electromagnetic wave scattering elements. A correction circuit reduces an influence of the received possible interfering signal in a contemporaneously received signal by the associated antenna.

Antenna system facilitating reduction of interfering signals

Surface scattering antennas provide adjustable radiation fields by adjustably coupling scattering elements along a wave-propagating structure. In some approaches, the scattering elements are complementary metamaterial elements. In some approaches, the scattering elements are made adjustable by disposing an electrically adjustable material, such as a liquid crystal, in proximity to the scattering elements. Methods and systems provide control and adjustment of surface scattering antennas for various applications.

Surface scattering antennas

Described embodiments include an antenna system and method. The antenna system includes at least two surface scattering antenna segments. Each segment includes a respective electromagnetic waveguide structure, and a respective plurality of electromagnetic wave scattering elements. The wave scattering elements are distributed along the waveguide structure, have an inter-element spacing substantially less than a free-space wavelength of a highest operating frequency of the antenna segment, have a respective activatable electromagnetic response to a propagating guided wave, and are operable in combination to produce a controllable radiation pattern. A gain definition circuit defines a series of at least two radiation patterns selected to facilitate a convergence on an antenna radiation pattern that maximizes a radiation performance metric. An antenna controller sequentially establishes each radiation pattern. A receiver receives the desired field of view signal and the undesired field of view signal.

Antenna system having at least two apertures facilitating reduction of interfering signals

A rotational antenna includes a stationary feed which is disposed in a substantially vertical orientation. A parabolic dish is rotationally mounted about the stationary feed in a state of being tipped with respect to the stationary, substantially vertically oriented feed. The rotational parabolic antenna may alternatively be provided with a rotating radio frequency (RF) and acoustic feed. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Rotational parabolic antenna with various feed configurations

A fixed feed dual reflector scanning antenna system 10 having a low moment of inertia is disclosed herein. The inventive dual reflector antenna system 10 includes an antenna feed structure 16 for emitting electromagnetic radiation. The antenna system 10 further includes a subreflector 12 for redirecting the emitted radiation. The subreflector 12 is intersected by a subreflector longitudinal axis Ls at a rotation point proximate a vertex 20 of the subreflector 12. A main antenna reflector 14 circumscribing a main longitudinal axis Lm projects radiation redirected by the subreflector 12 as an antenna beam. A mechanical arrangement 22 rotates the subreflector 12 about the rotation point so as to vary the angular orientation between the subreflector longitudinal axis Ls and the main longitudinal axis Lm. In this manner the antenna beam is scanned relative to the main longitudinal axis Lm.

Dual reflector scanning antenna system

A fixed feed dual reflector scanning antenna system (10) having a low moment of inertia is disclosed. The inventive dual reflector antenna system (10) includes an antenna feed structure (16) for emitting electromagnetic radiation (R). The antenna system (10) further includes a subreflector (12) for redirecting the emitted radiation (R). The subreflector (12) is intersected by a subreflector longitudinal axis (Ls) at a rotation point proximate a vertex (20) of the subreflector (12). A main antenna reflector (14) circumscribing a main longitudinal axis (Lm) projects radiation redirected by the subreflector (12) as an antenna beam. A mechanical arrangement (22) rotates the subreflector (12) about the rotation point so as to vary the angular orientation between the subreflector longitudinal axis (Ls) and the main longitudinal axis (Lm). In this manner the antenna beam is scanned relative to the main longitudinal axis (Lm).

Arthur F. Seaton

Papers

Dual reflector scanning antenna system

Dual reflection scanning antenna system