Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.

Michael W McRae

Steven C Olson

Jeffrey A Godard

Travis Horne

A radio frequency connector for coupling radio frequency energy into or out of an antenna apparatus includes a ground portion that is both capacitively and conductively coupled to a ground structure within the antenna apparatus. The connector is designed so that radio frequency (RF) signals within the operative frequency range of the antenna apparatus flow predominantly through the capacitive ground connection of the connector, rather than through the conductive ground connection of the connector. Direct current signals and other low frequency signals within the antenna apparatus, on the other hand, have a direct path to ground through the conductive ground connection. Because the RF signals flow predominantly through the capacitive ground connection, the likelihood that passive inter-modulation (PIM) products will be generated within the metal-to-metal junctions of the conductive ground connection is significantly reduced.

Radio frequency connector for reducing passive inter-modulation effects

A low profile or very low profile antenna having a finely tunable frequency response is provided. The antenna is easily tuned to have a precise frequency response while its protective radome is in place. The antenna generally includes a first antenna element, a second antenna element, a ground plane, and a tuning mechanism. The tuning mechanism may be accessed while the radome of the antenna is in place. The antenna is particularly well-suited for use in shipping applications, where a very low antenna profile is desirable.

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Citrus Heights, CA, United States of America

Michael W McRae