Space Systems/loral, LLC

Alan R Cherrette

Terry M Smith

Rajan P Parrikar

Levent Ersoy

Joel Varney

Michael S Davis

An automatic network analyzer that measures continuous wave radio microwave driven transfer characteristics of nonlinear devices and simultaneously calculates and displays corresponding noise driven transfer characteristics and noise power ratio data. This automatic network analyzer employs software or firmware that uses closed-form equations to exactly calculate noise parameters. This is done in real-time as CW measurements are taken.

Automatic network analyzer having noise/NPR test capability

A dual polarized horn antenna that increases the efficiency of a square or rectangular aperture which may be used in situations where a high efficiency aperture is needed in a constrained space. The antenna has a body that is tapered from a first end to a second end, wherein the first end is smaller in cross section than the second end. A flange is formed around the periphery of the body adjacent to the first end. An opening is formed in the first end of the body. A tuning iris is preferably disposed in the opening that provides for impedance matching. An insert is disposed in the central tapered opening,adjacent to the second end that has a central cross-shaped tapered member. The central cross-shaped tapered member extends into the central tapered opening and forms a plurality waveguide passages that form a corresponding plurality of quadrants. A plurality of cross-shaped members are respectively disposed in the quadrants and extend a short distance into the central tapered opening. The antenna may be advantageously used where longer apertures are desired. The antenna has a radiating efficiency on the order of 97 percent.

High efficiency dual polarized horn antenna

The integration of traveling wave tube amplifiers and multiplexers onto passive transmit array antenna panels deployed out board of a spacecraft bus to simultaneously provide a spacecraft transponder that permits antenna pattern flexibility in orbit, high DC to RF power conversion efficiency, facilitates higher spacecraft power and provides a spacecraft with deployed payload panel architecture having multiple independent beams that can be electronically reconfigured on the ground or in orbit.

Growing community of inventors

Los Altos, CA, United States of America

Alan R Cherrette