Viasat, Inc.

Motorola Corporation

General Dynamics C4 Systems, Inc.

Kevin Duane House

David H Irvine

Kurt A Zimmerman

Clifford K Burdick

Michael T Kretsch

David D Greenidge

David C Wittwer

Mark D Vossler

Matthew Ronald Michieli

Jay Robert Mitchell

Javier Leija

Bradley K Lohrding

William Joe Haber

William D Webb

James Lee Isbell

Archer David Munger

David Wilson Edwards

Russell Thomas Thompson

Ronald James Nordhues

An AMC antenna apparatus includes a ground plane and a flexible antenna element layer above the ground plane. The ground plane includes a conductive base surface, a plurality of flexible conductors, and a frequency selective surface (FSS) layer above the base surface, where the FSS layer includes a plurality of conductive patches separated from one another. Each of the flexible conductors electrically connects one of the conductive patches to the base surface. A latch mechanism is arranged between the base layer and the FSS layer. An inflatable bladder system between the base layer and the FSS layer is configured to receive a gas input during deployment of the antenna apparatus and inflate to produce force sufficient to cause the latch mechanism to transition from an unlatched state to a latched state in which the conductive base surface is fixedly separated from the FSS layer at a predetermined distance.

Deployable antenna apparatus with inflate to latch mechanism

An artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) antenna apparatus includes a ground plane and a flexible antenna element layer above the ground plane. The ground plane includes a conductive base surface, a plurality of memory metal wires, and a frequency selective surface (FSS) layer above the base surface, where the FSS layer includes a plurality of conductive patches separated from one another. Each of the memory metal wires electrically connects one of the conductive patches to the base surface. Each of the memory metal wires is rigid in a memory-shaped state, causing the FSS layer to be fixedly spaced from the base surface during operation of the AMC antenna apparatus. The memory metal wires are each flexible in a non-memory-shaped state, enabling the FSS layer to be collapsed towards the base surface when the antenna apparatus is stowed.

Antenna apparatus and deployment method employing collapsible memory metal

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.

Antenna with sensors for accurate pointing

A dual-frequency conformal multi-filiar helical antenna system () provides a low-profile, low drag antenna useable in flying equipment. This antenna system () securely holds within its shell () signal distribution circuitry (), signal combining circuitry (), and any other circuit components necessary for antenna system () to communicate with other stations or devices. Antenna system () has radiating conductors () tuned to two different frequencies such that simultaneous transmission and reception of signals is possible in the same and opposite directions.

Dual frequency antenna system

A moveable antenna system with a position sensor circuit and a circuit which transmits the position sensing data and the radio frequency (RF) on the same wire. The position sensor comprises a sensing pin and a sense track concentric with the coaxial cable for the RF signal. When the antenna is in the preferred position for transmission, the sensing pin is in contact with the sense track, thus closing a switch, allowing the unit to transmit RF signals. Otherwise, the sensing pin is not in contact with the sense track, preventing any transmission of data. The signal that results from the opening and closing of the switch is carried on the same transmission line as the RF signal. This is accomplished by using capacitors to block direct current (DC) from the transmission line and using resistors and shunt capacitors to prevent any leakage of RF signals onto the sensing circuit.

Moveable antenna employing a hybrid RF and DC circuit

Radiotelephone antenna

An antenna latching mechanism includes a housing with an attached antenna and a mating utility part. A collar is formed on one of the housing and the utility part and a mating stem, rotatably fitting within the collar, is formed on the other. The collar and stem define an opening and a ridge is formed in the opening. Flexible fingers, each having a cam surface, are positioned on one of the housing and the utility part to extend through the opening, with the stem coaxially positioned in the collar, so the cam surfaces engage the ridge in a releasable assembled orientation. Detent notches are defined in one of the collar and stem and a mating flexible detent finger is formed in the other to engage a selected one of the notches and provide a plurality of stable axial positions of the housing relative to the mating utility part.

Antenna latching mechanism

Growing community of inventors

Gilbert, AZ, United States of America

Kevin Duane House