The University of Arizona

Freefall Aerospace, Inc.

Southwest Research Institute

Freefall 5G, Inc.

Christopher Kidd Walker

Juan Carlos Lopez-Tonazzi

Brandon James Swift

Marwan M Krunz

Ira Steve Smith, Jr

Stefan Neal O'Dougherty

Douglas Scott Stetson

Superconducting Meissner effect transistors, methods of modulating, and systems are disclosed. In one aspect a disclosed transistor includes a superconducting bridge between a first and a second current probe, the first and second current probe being electrically connected to a source and a drain electrical connection, respectively and a control line configured to emit a magnetic field signal having signal strength Hat the superconducting bridge. In one aspect the emitted magnetic field is configured to break Cooper pairs in the superconducting bridge.

Terahertz transistor

An example antenna system includes a plurality of dielectric rod stacks and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a plurality of independently controlled output circuit boards. Each independently controlled output circuit board includes a respective dielectric rod stack. The respective dielectric rod stack includes a plurality of respective dielectric rods. The control circuit selects: (i) the dielectric rod stacks, and (ii) the respective dielectric rods of the respective dielectric rod stack to adjust a beam of emitted or received radio frequency (RF) waves.

Dielectric antenna array and system

An example antenna system includes a zig-zag antenna array. The zig-zag antenna array includes a stack of conductive disks and at least one crossed zig-zag antenna extending through the stack of conductive disks. The at least one crossed zig-zag antenna includes an element pair that includes a plurality of crossed zig-zag antenna segment pairs between the stack of conductive disks. A respective crossed zig-zag antenna segment pair extends between a respective lower conductive disk and a respective upper conductive disk. The example antenna system further includes a control circuit coupled to the element pair to switch the crossed zig-zag antenna segment pairs to drive the crossed zig-zag antenna segment pairs to transmit or receive radio frequency (RF) waves with polarization states that include vertical, horizontal, elliptical, or circular polarization.

Zig-zag antenna array and system for polarization control

Various examples are provided related to amplified deformable mirrors (ADMs). In one embodiment, an ADM includes a deformable mirror and a flexible dielectric matrix deposited on a front side of the deformable mirror. A pathlength of a wavelength, &#x3bb;, of electromagnetic radiation passing through the dielectric matrix can be amplified by a distribution of dielectric particles embedded in the dielectric matrix.

Amplified deformable mirror

A spherical reflector antenna, including a sphere with a reflective surface opposite a transparent surface, a feed system that receives electromagnetic waves that (pass through the transparent surface at a beam angle) and are reflected off the reflective surface at a beam angle and outputs electromagnetic waves that are reflected off the reflective surface (and pass through the transparent surface at a beam angle), and beam steering electronics that identify a position of the spherical reflector antenna, identify an orientation of the sphere, and adjust the beam angle of the feed system based on angle from the position of spherical reflector antenna to the target relative to the orientation of the sphere.

Spherical reflector antenna for terrestrial and stratospheric applications

A phased array line feed for a reflector antenna, including a plurality of substantially parallel metallic rods and a phase/power switching matrix electrically connected to the metallic rods. The phase/power switching matrix may steer a beam of the reflector antenna by adjusting the phase and/or power difference between the metallic rods. The phased array line feed may also include a plurality of substantially parallel metallic disks. The metallic rods may extend through the metallic disks substantially perpendicular to the metallic discs. The metallic discs may be equally spaced and the diameter of the metallic disks may decrease along the length of the metallic rods. Alternatively, the diameters of the metallic discs may be equal and the distances between the metallic discs may decrease along the length of the metallic rods.

Phased array line feed for reflector antenna

A cross-link satellite with spherical reflectors that can communicate in up to five substantially orthogonal directions, and thus can be included in a satellite constellation, that can be built and deployed at a lower cost than conventional satellite antennas in conventional satellite constellations. The cross-link satellite includes a communications hub in the center of a spherical balloon. The spherical balloon includes a transparent surface and three or more reflective surfaces. The reflective surfaces include a continuous reflective surface (e.g., for communicating with the ground), a first polarized reflective surface, and a second polarized reflective surface opposite the first polarized reflective surface. The first polarized reflective surface and the second polarized reflective surface are orthogonally polarized, enabling the cross-link satellite to communicate with satellites on either side of the cross-link satellite as part of a satellite constellation.

Cross-link satellite with spherical reflectors

A balloon reflector antenna for a satellite, including a spherical balloon with a surface transparent to electromagnetic waves and a reflective surface opposite the transparent surface. The balloon reflector antenna may further include a feed system extending from the center of the balloon that receives electromagnetic waves reflected off the reflective surface and/or outputs electromagnetic waves that are reflected off the reflective surface.

Balloon reflector antenna

An example antenna system includes a plurality of driven elements and at least one dielectric antenna array. The at least one dielectric antenna array include a central hub. Each driven element extends transversely through the central hub. The at least one dielectric antenna array further includes a plurality of dielectric rods extending outwards from the central hub. Each dielectric rod is driven by a respective one of the driven elements. The antenna system further includes a control circuit coupled to the at least one dielectric antenna array to switch the driven elements to drive one or more of the dielectric rods to transmit or receive radio frequency (RF) waves.

Collapsible feed structures to further improve the ability of a reflector antenna (e.g., a spherical balloon reflector antenna) to collapse are disclosed. In a first embodiment, feed systems that include a metallic layer deposited on a dielectric support curtain (e.g., the dielectric support curtain of a spherical balloon antenna), one or more Vee antenna structures, patterned on the metallic layer, that receive a signal reflected off a reflective surface and/or emit a signal that is reflected off a reflective surface, and one or more slot line transmission lines, patterned on the metallic layer, that transmit a signal to and/or from one of the Vee antenna structures. In a second embodiment, a collapsible line feed that includes a plurality of metallic disks and a flexible monopole passing through the plurality of metallic disks.

Growing community of inventors

Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Christopher Kidd Walker