Abstract:
Applicant has cancelled original claims 1-30 and 62-85 without prejudice. Applicant has provided a claim listing for the instant application, where the original and cancelled claims are listed with the proper status identifier. No new matter has been added.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of: 
         [0002]    U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/086,525, entitled “Multiple Panel Parabolic Reflector Dish Antennas,” by inventor Jude Lee, filed Dec. 2, 2014; and 
         [0003]    U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/191,232, Attorney Docket Number UBNT15-1003PSP, entitled “MULTI-PANEL ANTENNA SYSTEM,” by inventor Jude Lee, filed 10 Jul. 2015, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    1. Field 
         [0005]    This disclosure is generally related to a multi-panel directional antenna. More specifically, this disclosure is related to a directional antenna that can be transported in a compact package, and is easily assembled by an end-user. 
         [0006]    2. Related Art 
         [0007]    Directional antennas typically include a wide parabolic reflector, and can include a feed assembly that is orthogonal to the concave face of the parabolic reflector. If such a directional antenna were to be packaged in a box in assembled form, the box would require the dimensions of the full antenna, but would have mostly empty space. On the other hand, if the antenna feed assembly were to be packaged detached from the parabolic reflector, the box would still need to have two dimensions that match the height and width of the parabolic reflector. 
         [0008]    Unfortunately, any unused space in the antenna packaging may result in consuming valuable storage space in a warehouse. To make matters worse, the large packaging dimensions can result in large shipping costs when the directional antenna is to be shipped to a reseller or to a customer. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    One embodiment provides a multi-panel antenna system that may be disassembled and packaged into a container with substantially smaller dimensions than the assembled antenna. The antenna system may include two or more reflector panels, such that a respective reflector panel can include a curved surface that may form a portion of a parabolic reflector, and can include an inter-panel fastener operable to align a side surface of the respective reflector panel with a side surface of another reflector panel. The antenna system may also include a mounting assembly that may be used to fasten a convex side of the two or more reflector panels to a surface external to the antenna system. Moreover, the antenna system can include a feed assembly that may be attached to the mounting assembly. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the multi-panel antenna system can also include a multi-panel fastener operable to couple the two or more reflector panels to each other. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, the inter-panel fastener of the respective reflector panel may align the respective reflector panel to the other reflector panel along a first axis. Moreover, the multi-panel fastener may align the respective reflector panel to the other reflector panel along at least a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, which can prevent the two or more reflector panels from becoming uncoupled from each other. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the feed assembly may be mounted on a concave side of the parabolic reflector. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, at least one of the two or more reflector panels may include a through-hole for attaching the feed assembly to the multi-panel fastener through the through-hole. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, attaching the feed assembly to the multi-panel fastener may have the effect of fastening the feed assembly and the multi-panel fastener to the two or more reflector panels. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, the feed assembly can include a release button for releasing the feed assembly from the multi-panel fastener. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the inter-panel fastener comprises at least one of a post and slot coupling, a hook and slot coupling, a snap-fit coupling, a sleeve and bore coupling, a track and sliding carriage coupling, and a screw hole. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, the two or more panels can include at least three panels, such that a center reflector panel of the three panels may be coupled to a side reflector panel at each of two opposing side surfaces of the center reflector panel. 
         [0018]    In some variations to these embodiments, the multi-panel fastener can include a coupler for coupling the mounting assembly to a convex side of the center panel. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, the feed assembly can include a radio inside the antenna feed, can include a data port for the radio on a proximal end of the feed assembly. 
         [0020]    In some variations, the data port can provide a digital data interface for the radio. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, the mounting assembly can include a ball joint, which facilitates adjusting an altitude and/or azimuth of the parabolic reflector&#39;s direction 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, a respective reflector panel can include a plurality of openings arranged in a plurality of rows and columns. 
         [0023]    In some variations to these embodiments, a respective opening may have an elongated shape. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, the two or more reflector panels, the multi-panel fastener, the feed assembly, and the mounting assembly can be packaged in a container as a kit. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, packaging the kit in the container involves placing the two or more reflector panels in the container on a bottom surface of the container, in a stacked configuration. 
         [0026]    In a further variation, packaging the kit can involve placing a packaging insert on top of the stacked reflector panels, such that the packaging insert can include a molded insert that has been molded to have slots for the multi-panel fastener, the mounting assembly, and the antenna feed assembly. 
         [0027]    In a further variation, packaging the kit can involve inserting the feed assembly, the multi-panel fastener, and the mounting assembly into the slots of the packaging insert. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0028]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a three-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0029]      FIG. 1B  illustrates an exemplary an exemplary radio signal exchange between two multi-panel directional antennas in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a packaging configuration of a disassembled multi-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0031]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a side view of the packaging configuration for the multi-panel antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0032]      FIG. 2C  illustrates a side view of a packaging insert  216  on top of stacked panels  202 ,  204 , and  206  in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0033]      FIG. 2D  illustrates a top view of a packaging configuration for the multi-panel antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0034]      FIG. 2E  illustrates a top view of the packaging insert in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0035]      FIG. 2F  illustrates an angled view of the packaging insert in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0036]      FIG. 2G  illustrates an angled view of the packaging insert inside a container in a accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0037]      FIG. 3A  illustrates an exploded view of the three-panel antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0038]      FIG. 3B  illustrates an exploded top view of the three-panel antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0039]      FIG. 3C  illustrates an exploded bottom view of the three-panel antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0040]      FIG. 3D  illustrates an exploded side view of the three-panel antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0041]      FIG. 3E  illustrates a curved receptacle surface on a distal end of a multi-panel fastener in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0042]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a process for packaging a multi-panel directional antenna  400  in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0043]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a process for assembling a multi-panel directional antenna  400  in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0044]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a set of panels being aligned during a panel assembly process in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0045]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a set of panels being fastened during a panel assembly process in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0046]      FIG. 5C  illustrates a mounting assembly being fastened to a set of panels during a panel assembly process in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0047]      FIG. 5D  illustrates a rear angled view of an assembled multi-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0048]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a close-up view of a mounting assembly in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0049]      FIG. 6B  illustrates the mounting assembly being coupled to a rear surface of a multi-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0050]      FIG. 7A  illustrates a front view of an assembled multi-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0051]      FIG. 7B  illustrates a rear view of the assembled multi-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0052]      FIG. 7C  illustrates a side view of an assembled multi-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0053]      FIG. 7D  illustrates a top view of an assembled multi-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0054]      FIG. 7E  illustrates an exploded view of the antenna feed assembly in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0055]      FIG. 7F  illustrates an exemplary integrated radio transceiver and feed in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0056]      FIG. 7G  illustrates another example of an integrated radio transceiver and feed comprising a housing with an antenna tube in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0057]      FIG. 8A  illustrates an exemplary two-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0058]      FIG. 8B  illustrates an exploded view of a mounting assembly in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0059]      FIG. 8C  illustrates two panels of the directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0060]      FIG. 8D  illustrates an exemplary bore-and-sleeve coupling in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0061]      FIG. 8E  illustrates an exemplary bore-and-sleeve coupling with a stopper in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0062]      FIG. 8F  illustrates an assembled two-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0063]      FIG. 8G  illustrates a front view of the assembled two-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0064]      FIG. 8H  illustrates a back view of the assembled two-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0065]      FIG. 8I  illustrates a top view of the assembled two-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0066]      FIG. 8J  illustrates a bottom view of the assembled two-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0067]      FIG. 9A  illustrates an exemplary three-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0068]      FIG. 9B  illustrates an exploded view of the three-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0069]      FIG. 9C  illustrates a packaging configuration for the disassembled three-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0070]      FIG. 9D  illustrates a side view of the assembled three-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0071]      FIG. 9E  illustrates a front view of the assembled three-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0072]      FIG. 9F  illustrates a back view of the assembled three-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0073]      FIG. 9G  illustrates a top view of the assembled three-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0074]      FIG. 9H  illustrates a bottom view of the assembled three-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
       
    
    
       [0075]    In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same figure elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0076]    The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the embodiments, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
       Overview 
       [0077]    Embodiments of the present invention solve the problem of packaging a kit for a directional antenna in a compact container. The kit can include multiple near-equal size panels that can be assembled into a multi-panel parabolic reflector, and can include an antenna feed assembly and mounting assembly that may be easy to fasten against the parabolic reflector. For example, a directional antenna with a three-panel parabolic reflector may be packaged using a box with a width that may be approximately one-third the width of the parabolic reflector. 
         [0078]    The compact size of the container makes can reduce the cost of storing or shipping the directional antenna, when compared to the cost of storing larger single-panel antenna systems. Moreover, the kit includes the components necessary for deploying the antenna to an installation site. For example, typical antenna systems have the reflector and antenna feeds shipped in separate packages. Also, the reflector is typically shipped as a single component, which can have a width and depth that consumes too much space (e.g., shelf space) in a warehouse or during shipping. 
         [0079]    To make matters worse, because the reflector and feed are typically packaged in separate containers, a technician that is deploying the antenna system typically needs to remember to carry equal numbers of feeds and reflectors. If the technician forgets to take the feed or the reflector to the installation site, the technician would not be able to deploy the antenna system. In contrast, the kit for the multi-panel directional antenna of the present invention can be packaged in a single container to facilitate ensuring that the technician has the components necessary for deploying the directional antenna when the technician is at the installation site. 
         [0080]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a three-panel directional antenna  100  in accordance with an embodiment. Antenna  100  can include a parabolic reflector  102  made up of a center panel  104  and two side panels  106  and  108 , and can have a parabolic shape at least along an X-axis (e.g., the width of parabolic reflector  102 ). In some embodiments, parabolic reflector  102  may also have a parabolic shape along a Y-axis. Alternatively, parabolic reflector  102  may be a parabolic trough that may have a linear (or near-linear) shape along the Y-axis. 
         [0081]    In some embodiments, parabolic reflector  102  may have a width  120  along an X-axis that is between 13.7″ and 14.3″, and a height  122  along a Y-axis that is between 10.2″ and 10.7″. For example, width  120  may be 14.25″ and height  122  may be 10.51″. Alternatively, width  120  may be 13.82″ and height  122  may be 10.67″. In an alternative embodiment, width  120  may be 13.82″ and height  122  may be 10.67″. Moreover, the depth (e.g., along a Z-axis) of assembled directional antenna  100 , including a feed assembly  110  and a mounting assembly  112 , can be between 7″ and 7.5″, such as approximately 7.24″. 
         [0082]    Antenna  100  can also include a feed assembly  110  that may be mounted on a concave side of parabolic reflector  102 , and can include a mounting assembly  112  that may be coupled to a surface on a convex side of parabolic reflector  102 . Parabolic reflector  102  may receive a radio signal that may travel toward the concave surface of parabolic reflector  102  approximately along the Z axis, and may reflect the radio signal toward feed pins near a front end  118  of feed assembly  110 . 
         [0083]    In some embodiments, side panels  106  and  108  may be coupled directly to center panel  104  via a set of fasteners (not shown). Alternatively or in addition to these embodiments, side panels  106  and  108  may be fastened next to center panel  104  via a multi-panel fastener (not shown) coupled to panels  102 ,  104 , and  106 , and coupled to mounting assembly  112 . Moreover, feed assembly  110  can be mounted on the concave side of parabolic reflector  102 , so that feed assembly  110  is substantially orthogonal to parabolic reflector  102 . For example, feed assembly  110  may be coupled to the multi-panel fastener via an opening of center panel  104 , or may be coupled directly to center panel  104 . 
         [0084]    Mounting assembly  112  can include a mounting assembly for mounting antenna  100  to a flat surface, or to a pole. The mounting assembly can include a square plate with prong and screw hole openings about its face, and two perpendicularly extending flanges from two opposing edges of the plate. Each flange may have an arcuate toothed cutout for mounting the bracket to a pole. 
         [0085]    A parabolic reflector (e.g., parabolic reflector  102 , or a sub-reflector near front-end  118 ) is generally a parabola-shaped reflective device, used to collect or distribute energy such as radio waves. The parabolic reflector typically functions due to the geometric properties of the paraboloid shape: if the angle of incidence to the inner surface of the collector equals the angle of reflection, then any incoming ray that is parallel to the axis of the dish (e.g., along the Z axis) will be reflected to a central point, or “locus” near front-end  118 . Because many types of energy can be reflected in this way, parabolic reflectors can be used to collect and concentrate energy entering the reflector at a particular angle. Similarly, energy radiating from the “focus” to the dish can be transmitted outward in a beam that is parallel to the axis of the dish (e.g., along the Z axis). 
         [0086]    Antenna feed  110  may include an assembly that comprises the elements of an antenna feed mechanism, an antenna feed conductor, and an associated connector. The antenna feed system may include an antenna feed and a radio transceiver. 
         [0087]      FIG. 1B  illustrates an exemplary radio signal exchange between two multi-panel directional antennas in accordance with an embodiment. A directional antenna  152  may be fastened onto a pole  154  by wrapping a brace  158  through a pair of openings on a mounting brace  156  and around pole  154 . Pole  154  can include, for example, a tree branch, a tree stem, or a segment of a radio tower, a telephone pole, a power-line pole, etc. Moreover, directional antenna  152  may be aimed at another directional antenna  162 , which may be fastened against another surface  164 , such as a building wall, or any other solid or rigid surface. 
         [0088]    In some embodiments, directional antenna  162  may emit radio signals from a set of feed pins within an antenna feed  166 . These radio signals can travel toward, and may be captured by, directional antenna  152 . Some radio signals may travel directly from antenna feed  166  of antenna  162  toward an antenna feed  160  of antenna  152  (e.g., signal  168 ). Other radio signals may be reflected by the reflector of antenna  152  toward antenna feed  160  (e.g., signals  17  and  172 ), which may increase the signal strength of the signals received by directional antenna  152 . In yet some further embodiments, the parabolic reflector of directional antenna  162  may also serve to increase the gain of the radio signals transmitted toward directional antenna  152  by reflecting radio signals emitted by antenna feed  166  toward directional antenna  152  (e.g., signal  172 ). 
         [0089]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a packaging configuration  200  of a disassembled multi-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. The antenna components can be packaged into a kit that includes a container (not shown) so that the components are arranged in configuration  200  within the container. Specifically, in packaging configuration  200 , side panels  204  and  206  can be stacked on top of center panel  202 . This configuration can result in a package base (e.g., along an X-axis and Z-axis) that may be approximately one-third the surface area of an assembled parabolic reflector. For example, recall that assembled parabolic reflector  102  of  FIG. 1A  has width  120  and height  122 . The stack of panels  202 ,  204 , and  206  can have depth  220  that is approximately one-third of width  120  for the assembled reflector  102 , and can have length  222  that is approximately equal to height  122  of assembled reflector  102 . In some embodiments, depth  220  can be approximately 5″, and height can be between 10.2″ and 10.7″. 
         [0090]    Moreover, feed assembly  208  can be configured so that its long side may be approximately parallel to (e.g., not orthogonal to) the surface of panels  202 ,  204 , and/or  206 . This configuration can result in the kit having a height along the Y-axis that may be less than the length of feed assembly  208  (e.g., the length of feed assembly  208  along the Z-axis). A multi-panel fastener  210  and mounting assembly  212  can be arranged in the container to be substantially coplanar with feed assembly  208 . 
         [0091]    The kit may also include protective cushioning and movement-limiting material (e.g., a packaging insert), diagnostic testing equipment, spare parts, assembly and/or repair tools, an instruction booklet, and any other information or parts that may facilitate assembling or deploying the directional antenna. In some embodiments, the container may be reusable, reclosable, constructed from a lightweight yet protective material, and dimensioned to closely enclose the contents of the kit. In some embodiments, once the parts of the kit are inserted into the container, the amount of free space left within the container may be equal to or less than twenty-five percent of the volume of the enclosed container. 
         [0092]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a side view of packaging configuration  200  for the multi-panel antenna in accordance with an embodiment. Panels  202 ,  204 , and  206  can be stacked on top of each other so that their concave side is facing upward along a Y-axis. In some embodiments, feed assembly  208  can be oriented over panel  202  so that the longest dimension of feed assembly  208  is parallel to the longest dimension of panel  202 . In some embodiments, multi-panel fastener  210  may partially overlap a portion of feed assembly  208 , and can be oriented approximately next to a proximal end of feed assembly  208 . 
         [0093]    Mounting assembly  212  can be oriented approximately next to the longest dimension of feed assembly  208 , such as near the distal end of feed assembly  208 . Moreover, a locking band can be oriented approximately next to mounting assembly  212 . In some embodiments, locking band  214  can be used to mount mounting assembly  212  (and the directional antenna) on a pole by inserting locking band  214  into slots at two opposing side walls of mounting assembly  212 , and wrapping locking band  214  around the pole. Once locking band  214  is in place, a user can tighten locking band  214  (e.g., shrink the circumference of locking band  214 ) by rotating a screw  215  on locking band  214 . 
         [0094]      FIG. 2C  illustrates a side view of a packaging insert  216  on top of stacked panels  202 ,  204 , and  206  in accordance with an embodiment. 
         [0095]    Specifically, packaging insert  216  can have a length  224  that is approximately equal to length  222  of stacked panels  202 ,  204 , and  206 . For example, width  224  can be approximately  10 . 5 ″. In some embodiments, a bottom surface of packaging insert  216  can have a convex curvature that approximately contours the concave curvature of reflector panel  202 . This convex curvature increases the volume inside packaging insert  216  when compared to a packaging insert that has a flat (or near-flat) bottom surface. 
         [0096]      FIG. 2D  illustrates a top view of packaging configuration  200  for the multi-panel antenna in accordance with an embodiment. Feed assembly  208  can be placed on top of panel  206  so that the longest side of feed assembly  208  is aligned along the longest side of panel  206  (e.g., approximately along the X-axis). Feed assembly  208 , multi-panel fastener  210 , mounting assembly  212 , and locking band  214  can be arranged to occupy a surface area smaller than the surface of center panel  202 . 
         [0097]      FIG. 2E  illustrates a top view of packaging insert  216  in accordance with an embodiment. Packaging insert  216  can include a slot  252  for packing feed assembly  208 , a slot  260  for packing mounting assembly  212 , a slot  262  for packing a power adapter (e.g., a power-over-Ethernet (PoE) adapter), a slot  268  for packing locking band  214 , and a slot  264  for packing a power cord for the power adaptor. Packaging insert  216  can also include a side-wall  254  that holds a distal end of multi-panel fastener  210 , and a side-wall  256  that holds a proximal end of multi-panel fastener  210 . For example, multi-panel fastener  210  can slide into packaging insert  216  so that its distal end rests against side-wall  254 , and so that its proximal end rests at least against side-wall  256 . In some embodiments, the proximal end of multi-panel fastener  210  can rest between side walls  256  and  258 . 
         [0098]      FIG. 2F  illustrates an angled view of packaging insert  216  in accordance with an embodiment. In some embodiments, packaging insert  216  can be made by using a mold to create a contour on a pliable material. For example, packaging insert  216  include molded cardboard, molded plastic, or molded polystyrene. 
         [0099]      FIG. 2G  illustrates an angled view of packaging insert  216  inside a container  270  in a accordance with an embodiment. Container  270  can be used to contain and protect a multi-panel antenna kit. Specifically, the stack of panels  202 ,  204 , and  206  can be placed into container  270  so that they rest on a floor inside container  270 , and packaging insert  216  can be placed on top of the stacked panels. The remaining components of the kit can be inserted into their corresponding slots formed on insert  216 . The slots created on insert  216  can prevent the kit components from shifting or bumping into each other while the kit is being shipped or otherwise transported to another location (e.g., transported to an antenna tower during deployment). 
         [0100]    In some embodiments, container  270  can have a depth  272  between ten percent and twenty percent wider than one third of the width of the assembled multi-panel antenna. Moreover, container  270  can have a length  274  between five percent and fifteen percent longer than the height of the multi-panel antenna. Depth  272  can be between 5″ and 6″, length  274  can between 11″ and 12″, and container  270  can have a height  276  that is between 4″ and 5″. For example, depth  272  can be approximately 5.25″, length  274  can be approximately 11.5″, and height  726  can be approximately 4.5″. Hence, the depth of container  270  can be approximately one third the width of an assembled antenna, and height  276  can be less than the depth of the assembled antenna (e.g., when packaging antenna  100  with a width 14.25″ and depth 7.24″). 
         [0101]      FIG. 3A  illustrates an exploded view of the three-panel antenna system  300  in accordance with an embodiment. A center panel  302  can include a set of openings  316  and  318  for coupling a multi-panel fastener  310  to a convex side (e.g., the rear side) of center panel  302 . In some embodiments, openings  316  and  318  may be a part of a snap-fit coupler that can secure multi-panel fastener  310  onto the convex side of antenna system  300 . 
         [0102]    Center panel  302  can also include an opening  314  for passing a proximal end of a feed assembly  308  toward multi-panel fastener  310 . Coupling the proximal end of feed assembly  308  with multi-panel fastener  310  may secure feed assembly  308  to antenna system  300 , and may also further secure multi-panel fastener  310  to panels  302 ,  304 , and  306 . Multi-panel fastener  310  can include a threaded coupler  350  that can be used to couple multi-panel fastener  310  to a mounting assembly  312 , or to any other type of mountain equipment, such as a threaded pipe. 
         [0103]    In some embodiments, mounting assembly  312  can include a mounting bracket  352 , a ball joint  354  that can be coupled to mounting bracket  352  (e.g., with a screw). Mounting assembly  312  can also include a lock nut  356  that may be positioned between mounting bracket  352  and ball joint  354 , and can mate with threaded coupler  350  of multi-panel fastener  310 . Ball joint  354  can include a curved convex surface (e.g., a spherical, or near-spherical surface) that can mate with a central orifice (e.g., a curved concave surface) at threaded coupler  350 , which can allow a user to adjust an azimuth, elevation, or rotational angle of the parabolic reflector. To lock the parabolic reflector into place, the user can tighten threaded coupler  356  to threaded coupler  350 , which increases the friction between ball joint  354  and threaded coupler  350 . Coupling threaded coupler  356  to threaded coupler  350  effectively couples multi-panel fastener  310  (and the parabolic reflector) to mounting assembly  312 , and the increased friction locks the parabolic reflector into place. 
         [0104]    In some embodiments, the panels may be constructed from a material suitable for reflecting radio signals toward feed assembly  308 , such as aluminum. Aluminum may provide advantages over other materials, such as a relatively high strength-to-weight ratio, and a relatively simpler manufacturing process. Aluminum may also be polished to increase the reflectivity of the surface. 
         [0105]    Other materials may also be used to fabricate panels  302 ,  304 , and/or  306 , possibly at the expense of a higher material cost or manufacturing complexity. For example, panels  302 ,  304 , and/or  306  may be manufactured from steel that may be finished with a nickel or chromium plating. As another example, panels  302 ,  304 , and/or  306  may be manufactured from metal, ceramic, and/or plastic composites that may have an aluminum-plated surface or other reflective overlays. While the examples above describe manufacturing reflector panels using aluminum, nickel, and/or chromium, any other materials that have the aforementioned structural and reflective properties may be used in addition to, or in place of, aluminum, nickel, and/or chromium. 
         [0106]    In some embodiments, reflector panels  302 ,  304 , and/or  306  may have the same or different surface features and patterns. For example, center reflector panel  302  may have a solid surface that is free of any features that may create a grid, screen, or mesh-like appearance (e.g., a grid of indents, openings, or through-holes). Manufacturing a solid surface may be achieved with a simpler process than manufacturing a mesh-like surface, at the cost of retaining unnecessary weight. On the other hand, side reflector panels  304  and  306  may be manufactured with a plurality of openings that may produce a grid, screen, or mesh-like appearance. These openings can minimize the weight of side reflector panels  304  and  306 , and may minimize environmental loads on panels  304  and  306 , such as from wind, snow, rain, and ice. In some embodiments, the size of the openings may have a diameter less than  1 / 10  of a wavelength for the radio signals that are to be reflected toward, and captured by, a set of feed pins in feed assembly  308 . Such size constraints for the openings may allow side panels  304  and  306  to maintain similar, if not equivalent, reflective properties as the solid surface of central panel  302 . 
         [0107]    Panels  302 ,  304 , and  306  may be connected to each other in a simple assembly process that does not compromise the rigidity or integrity of the parabolic reflector when exposed to wind, rain, and/or other elemental forces. 
         [0108]    The simple assembly process should be simple enough for an untrained technician to assemble directional antenna system  300  in the field. For example, the assembly process may be realized by a connecting system or locking mechanisms that may minimize the use of additional parts, tools, time, and skill required to lock and/or unlock side panels  304  and  306  to/from center panel  302 . One or more types of known locking mechanisms and methods may be used to connect side panels  304  and  306  to center panel  302 , regardless of whether panels  302 ,  304 , and  306  are aligned vertically or horizontally. 
         [0109]    The locking mechanisms may enable panels  302 ,  304 , and  306  to be fastened to each other, for example, by snapping them together, hooking or sliding them to interlock, etc. In some embodiments, once assembled, panels  302 ,  304 , and  306  may be permanently interlocked. In some other embodiments, the panels may be separated simply by reversing the steps of the assembly process, which may involve also triggering a release before separating two adjoined components of directional antenna system  300 . 
         [0110]      FIG. 3B  illustrates an exploded top view of three-panel directional antenna system  300  in accordance with an embodiment. Specifically, center panel  302  can include angled edges  324  and  326  that may extend from a rear (convex) surface of antenna system  300  from opposing sides of center panel  302 . Side panels  304  and  306  can also include angled edges  328  and  330 , respectively, along at least one side that may be fastened to center panel  302 . Angled edge  328  of side panel  304  can be mated with angled edge  324  of center panel  302 , and angled edge  330  of side panel  306  can be mated with angled edge  326  of center panel  302 . In some embodiments, angled edges  324  and  328  can include couplers for fastening side panel  304  to center panel  302 . Similarly, angled edges  326  and  330  can include couplers for coupling side panel  306  to center panel  302 . For example, angled edges  324  and  328  can include one or more post and slot couplers. 
         [0111]    In some embodiments, multi-panel fastener  310  can include a pair of sleeves  332  and  334  that can further fasten side panels  304  and  306  to center panel  302 . For example, after side panels  304  and  306  are coupled to center panel  302 , sleeve  332  can slide over a portion of angled edges  324  and  328 , and sleeve  334  can slide over a portion of angled edges  326  and  330 . 
         [0112]    Multi-panel fastener  310  can also include an opening  320 , which can be used to fasten feed assembly  308  to multi-panel fastener  310 . In some embodiments, feed assembly  308  can include a wedge anchor  322 , or any other type of fastener that can interlock with opening  320 . Wedge anchor  322  allows a user to secure inter-panel fastener  110  to center panel  302  without requiring additional tools, such as a screw and screw driver. A proximal end of feed assembly  308  can be passed through an opening of center panel  302  and inserted into an opening of multi-panel fastener  310 , at which point wedge anchor  322  can mate with opening  320  to fasten feed assembly  308  to multi-panel fastener  310 . Wedge anchor  322  can include a release button that protrudes past opening  320  on a top surface of multi-panel fastener  310 . A user may press on the release button to disengage wedge anchor  322  from opening  320 , and release feed assembly  308  from multi-panel fastener  310 , without requiring additional tools for disassembling antenna system  300 . 
         [0113]      FIG. 3C  illustrates an exploded bottom view of three-panel directed antenna system  300  in accordance with an embodiment. Specifically, feed assembly  308  can house a radio transceiver and one or more feed pins. The radio transceiver can generate RF signals that radiate from the antenna feed pins at a distal end of feed assembly  308 . 
         [0114]    A proximal end of feed assembly  308  can include an interface port  338  that can provide power and/or a network connection to the radio transceiver housed inside feed assembly  308 . In some embodiments, interface port  338  can include an Ethernet port (e.g., a Power-over-Ethernet port), a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, an IEEE 1394 (e.g., Firewire) port, a Thunderbolt port, or any other interface port now known or later developed. Multi-panel fastener  310  can include an opening  340  for exposing network port  338 . When feed assembly  308  is mated with multi-panel fastener  310 , interface port  338  may be exposed via opening  340 . 
         [0115]      FIG. 3D  illustrates an exploded side view of three-panel directed antenna system  300  in accordance with an embodiment. Specifically, angled edge  328  of side panel  304  can include an edge segment  342 . When multi-panel fastener  310  is fastened to center panel  302 , sleeve  332  may slide over edge segment  342  to prevent panel  304  from sliding along a Y-axis. 
         [0116]      FIG. 3E  illustrates a curved receptacle surface  358  on a distal end of multi-panel fastener  310  in accordance with an embodiment. The proximal end of multi-panel fastener  310  can be coupled to center panel  302 , and the distal end can include a central orifice  358  that may be coupled to ball joint  354 , and can include a threaded circular outer surface for screwing a lock nut  356  to threaded coupler  350  on the distal end of multi-panel fastener  310 . In some embodiments, central orifice  358  can include a curved concave surface, with a curvature substantially similar to the curved convex surface of ball joint  354 . 
         [0117]    Screwing lock nut  356  to threaded coupler  350  may effectively secure ball joint  354  to multi-panel fastener  310 . Ball joint  356  can be coupled to mounting bracket  352  via a screw  360 , and can include a set of prongs (e.g., four prongs positioned in a square configuration) that insert into a corresponding set of holes on mounting bracket  352  to prevent ball joint  356  from rotating. Moreover, the curved surface of ball joint  354  may be pressed against the curved surface of central orifice  358  by tightening (e.g., via a rotating motion) lock nut  356  to threaded coupler  358  so that ball joint  354  is in between lock nut  354  and threaded coupler  350 . 
         [0118]    In some embodiments, mounting assembly  310  may include a door  360  to cover a network cable (not shown) that may be connected to antenna feed assembly  308  (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, door  360  may be crescent-shaped, and may be attached to a base of multi-panel fastener  310  and/or to the convex outer side of center reflector panel  302 . 
         [0119]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a process  400  for packaging a multi-panel directional antenna  400  in accordance with an embodiment. A factory worker may place the reflector panels into a container, in a stacked configuration (operation  402 ), and may place a packaging insert into the container, on top of the stacked reflector panels (operation  404 ). The factory worker may also place the mounting assembly and the antenna feed assembly into the packaging insert, either before or after placing the insert into the container (operation  406 ). The factory worker may then close the container (operation  408 ) and can seal the container (operation  410 ). 
         [0120]    In some embodiments, the individual panels may be wrapped in plastic, polystyrene foam (e.g., Styrofoam), bubble wrap, paper, or any shielding or dampening material that may prevent the panels from getting scratched or bumping into each other during shipping. Moreover, Also, in some embodiments, placing the panels into the container may involve sliding the individual panels into slots within a packaging insert at a bottom of the container, such that the slots may cause the panels to stand on one edge, with the concave side of the individual panels facing one side of the box. Moreover, securing the panels within the container may involve sliding another packaging insert on a top edge of the individual panels, to prevent the panels from bumping into each other during shipping. The packaging inserts at the bottom surface and top surface of the container may include slots holding the mounting assembly and antenna feed assembly to prevent them from bumping onto each other or the reflector panels during shipping. 
         [0121]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a process  450  for assembling a multi-panel directional antenna  400  in accordance with an embodiment. An end-user may install the directional antenna by first aligning inter-panel fasteners of the side reflector panels with corresponding inter-panel fasteners of the center reflector panels (operation  452 ). In some embodiments, the inter-panel fasteners may include post and slot couplings along an angled edge of the reflector panels. 
         [0122]    The end-user may then fasten the individual reflector panels to each other to form a parabolic reflector (operation  454 ). If the parabolic reflector is formed from three individual panels, fastening the panels may involve fastening the side reflector panels to the center reflector panel. The end-user may also fasten the mounting assembly to a convex side of the center reflector panel (operation  456 ), and may fasten the antenna feed assembly to a concave side of the center reflector panel (operation  458 ). 
         [0123]    The end-user may then mount the directional antenna onto a mounting surface, such as a wall or a pole, by fastening the mounting assembly to the mounting surface (operation  460 ). At this point, the end-user can put the antenna to use by aiming the directional antenna toward a remote directional antenna (operation  462 ), and connecting a network cable to a network port of the antenna feed assembly (operation  464 ) 
         [0124]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a set of panels being aligned during a panel assembly process in accordance with an embodiment. Specifically, side panels  504  and  506  can be moved toward a center panel  502 , at a slightly higher (or lower) elevation than center panel  502  so that a set of posts along angled edges  508  and  510  can pass through corresponding slots along angled edges  512  and  514 . 
         [0125]    In some embodiments, a slot and post coupler implements an inter-panel fastener that allows a side panel to be coupled to center panel  502 . For example, a slot  516  can include an elongated shape, with a wider opening along a segment of slot  516  (e.g., along a center segment of slot  516 ). Moreover, a corresponding post  518  can include a wider head at the tip than along the rest of post  518 . The wider opening along slot  516  may be sufficiently wide to allow the head of post  518  to pass through slot  516  so that angled edge  508  and the head of post  518  are at opposing sides of angled edge  512 . Moreover, the remainder of slot  516  may be sufficiently narrow to prevent the head of post  518  from passing through slot  516  when the head of post  518  is not aligned with the wider opening of slot  516 . 
         [0126]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a set of panels being fastened during a panel assembly process in accordance with an embodiment. Once angled edges  512  and  514  of side panels  504  and  506  are in contact with angled edges  508  and  510  of center panel  502 , side panels  506  and  508  may be slid along a Y-axis (e.g., downward) to fasten a set of couplings along the angled edges. For example, sliding panel  504  along the Y-axis (e.g., downward) can cause the wider head of post  518  to slide onto a narrow segment (e.g., a top segment) of slot  516  on panel  504 . 
         [0127]    Fastening the couplings along angled edges  508  and  512  can prevent panel  504  from moving along an X-axis and/or a Z-axis with respect to panel  502 , but may not prevent panel  504  from moving along at least one direction along the Y-axis (e.g., downward). In some embodiments, an additional fastener may be used to secure side panels  504  and  506  to center panel  502  along at least the Y-axis. 
         [0128]      FIG. 5C  illustrates a mounting assembly being fastened to a set of panels during a panel assembly process in accordance with an embodiment. Specifically, a multi-panel fastener  550  may be fastened to center panel  502 , which can also prevent side panels  504  and  506  from moving along a Y-axis. Multi-panel fastener  550  can include a sleeve  514  that can slide over an edge segment  512  of panel  504 , and can include another sleeve  516  that may slide over an edge segment of panel  506  (not shown). 
         [0129]    In some embodiments, center panel  502  and multi-panel fastener  550  can include a set of fasteners for fastening multi-panel fastener  550  to center panel  502 , such as a wedge anchor, a snap fastener, or any other fastener that may produce a rigid coupling between center panel  502  and multi-panel fastener  550 . For example, center panel  502  can include a pair of openings  520  and  522  for coupling multi-panel fastener  510  to center panel  502 . Multi-panel fastener  550  can include a set of fasteners  524  and  526  (e.g., wedge anchors) that can fasten multi-panel fastener  550  to openings  520  and  522 , respectively. 
         [0130]      FIG. 5D  illustrates a rear angled view of an assembled multi-panel directional antenna  500  in accordance with an embodiment. Specifically, the fasteners along the angled edges of panels  502 ,  504 , and  506  can fasten side panels  504  and  506  to center panel  504  along the X-axis and/or the Z-axis, and multi-panel fastener  550  can fasten side panels  504  and  506  to center panel  504  along the X-axis and the Y-axis. Hence, multi-panel fastener  550  can assist securing panels  502 ,  504 , and  506  to each other to form a rigid parabolic reflector, and can also include a mounting assembly  530  for mounting directional antenna  500  onto an external surface. 
         [0131]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a close-up view of a mounting assembly  600  in accordance with an embodiment. Specifically, mounting assembly  600  can include an antenna-feed fastener  602  for fastening an antenna feed to mounting assembly  600 . A back side of the feed assembly may be inserted into antenna feed fastener  602 , and a wedge-anchor fastener (not shown) can anchor against an opening on mounting assembly  600  (not shown). 
         [0132]    Mounting assembly  600  can also include a set of center-panel fasteners  604  and  606 , and a set of side-panel fasteners  608  and  610 . 
         [0133]    Center-panel fasteners  604  and  606  may include a wedge-anchor fastener, which may fasten mounting assembly  600  to a center panel of a parabolic reflector. Side-panel fastener  608 , for example, can include a sleeve  614  which may be defined by a curved surface  616 , as well as a pair of stops  618  and  620 . Curved surface  616  may wrap around the mated the curved edge segments of a side panel and center panel of the parabolic reflector, and stops  618  and  620  may prevent the side panel from moving along the Y-axis (e.g., the vertical axis). 
         [0134]      FIG. 6B  illustrates the mounting assembly  600  being coupled to a rear surface of a multi-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. Specifically, a sleeve  622  of side-panel fastener  610  may slide over a curved-edge segment  630  of a side panel  628 , and stops  624  and  626  may slide into a pair of recessed segments of side panel  628  that define curved-edge segment  630 . Moreover, a screw (not shown) can optionally be inserted into a set of screw-holes  640  on the side edges of panels  628  and  638  to further secure panel  628  onto panel  638 . 
         [0135]      FIG. 7A  illustrates a front view of an assembled multi-panel directional antenna, and  FIG. 7B  illustrates a rear view of the assembled multi-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. The side panels of directional antenna  700  can include perforated side panels. For example, side panel  704  can include a plurality of holes arranged in multiple columns that each span a Y-axis. In some embodiments, the columns may be equally spaced from each other along an X-axis. Alternatively, the columns may be organized into two or more groups of rows, where the spacing between two neighboring groups is larger than the spacing between two neighboring columns within a group. Moreover, the side panels can include rounded corners, and the perforated columns near the rounded corners may be shorter than other perforated columns away from the rounded corner. For example, the perforated columns in column group  708  may be shorter closer to an outer edge of side panel  704 , whereas the perforated columns of a column group  706  may be of equal height. 
         [0136]      FIG. 7C  illustrates a side view of an assembled multi-panel directional antenna  700  in accordance with an embodiment. Specifically, directional antenna  700  can include a parabolic reflector  702  that can have a parabolic shape along a Y-axis. The parabolic shape can reflect radio waves toward a front end  712  of feed assembly  710 . 
         [0137]      FIG. 7D  illustrates a top view of an assembled multi-panel directional antenna  700  in accordance with an embodiment. Specifically, parabolic reflector  702  can have a parabolic shape along a X-axis, such that the parabolic shape can reflect radio waves toward front end  712  of feed assembly  710 . 
         [0138]      FIG. 7E  illustrates an exploded view of antenna feed assembly  710  in accordance with an embodiment. Antenna feed assembly  710  can include a feed housing  752 , which may house an antenna tube, a sub-reflector  754 , a printed circuit board  756 , a battery, a interfacing connector  760 , a radio transceiver, a feed conductor, feed pins  758 , and director pins. The housing can have a closed end and an open end. The open end may be surrounded by a base collar that may be adapted to lay against the surface surrounding a central aperture of a parabolic reflector, The housing may be constructed from materials that may protect the feed components from outdoor exposure, such as fairly rigid plastics. 
         [0139]    The antenna tube may extend from inside the housing and may project past the open end of the housing, Similar to feed housing  752 , the antenna tube may also have an open end and a closed end, and the dimensions of the antenna tube may be adjusted in accordance to the size of sub-reflector  754 . 
         [0140]    An interfacing cable (not shown) may be routed through the tube and connected to the interfacing connector  760  (e.g., an Ethernet port). The exterior portion of the tube projecting outside of the housing may have a threaded portion for inserting into the aperture of the reflector and securing to the mounting assembly. 
         [0141]    Sub-reflector  754  can have a shape that may radiate waves toward the main parabolic reflector, and may be situated in the closed end portion of feed housing  752 . The printed circuit board, having RF control circuitry, may receive power from the battery that may be connected to the circuit board, or may receive power from the interfacing cable (e.g., a Power-over-Ethernet cable). The circuit board may serve as the platform for the interfacing connector, radio transceiver, feed conductor, feed pins, and director pins. 
         [0142]    In application, interfacing connector  760  may be coupled to the radio transceiver for power and data input and output purposes, when configured with a digital cable. The radio transceiver may generate an RF signal that can be coupled to the feed conductor, which in turn, can be coupled to the feed pins. Feed pins  758  may radiate the RF signal to sub-reflector  754 , which then may radiates the RF signal to the parabolic reflector (e.g., reflector  714 ), The director pins, which may be passive radiators or parasitic elements, may help focus or reradiate waves to feed pins  758  in order maximize the waves radiated from sub-reflector  754  to the parabolic reflector. 
         [0143]      FIG. 7F  illustrates an exemplary integrated radio transceiver and feed  770  in accordance with an embodiment. As illustrated, radio transceiver and feed  770  can integrate the functions of a radio transceiver, the functions of an antenna feed conductor, and the functions of a conventional antenna feed mechanism. Integrated radio transceiver and feed  7700  may be located in antenna feed mechanism  710 . Integrated radio transceiver and feed  770  may be assembled on a common substrate, which may be a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB)  778 . 
         [0144]    Integrated radio transceiver and feed  770  can include a digital connector  771 , which may be an Ethernet connector, a USB connector, or any other digital connector now known or later developed. A digital signal from a client station may be transmitted to, or received from, the digital connector  771  over a digital cable. To power the radio transceiver in integrated radio transceiver and feed  770 , the digital cable may include a power component. The power component may be provided over an Ethernet cable, a USB cable, or other equivalent digital cable. 
         [0145]    In some embodiments, digital connector  771  may be coupled to a radio transceiver  773  via conductor  772 . Conductor  772  may be implemented by a metal by a metal connector on a PCB  778 . Radio transceiver  773  may be coupled to an antenna feed conductor  774 , which in turn couples to antenna feed pins  775 . Radio transceiver  773  can generate an RF signal that radiate from antenna feed pins  775  radiate toward an antenna reflector, such as toward a parabolic reflector panel, or sub-reflectors  777 . In some embodiments, the radiated signal may be modified and enhanced by director pins  776  and/or sub-reflectors  777 . 
         [0146]    As illustrated in  FIG. 7F , antenna feed pins  775  can include two pins that may be located on opposite sides of PCB  778 , and the pins may be electrically connected together. In some embodiments, an antenna feed pin  775  may implement a half wave-length dipole. However, the inclusion of director pins  776  and sub-reflectors  777  may modify away from that of a half-wave length dipole. 
         [0147]    In some embodiments, director pins  776  may operate as passive radiators or parasitic elements. For example, director pins  776  may not have a wired input. Rather, director pins  776  may absorb radio waves that have radiated from another active antenna element in proximity, such as feed pins  775 , and may re-radiate the radio waves in phase with the active element so that director pins  776  may augments the total transmitted signal. An example of an antenna that uses passive radiators is the Yagi, which typically has a reflector behind the driven element, and one or more directors in front of the driven element, which may act respectively like a reflector and lenses in a flashlight to create a “beam.” Hence, parasitic elements may be used to alter the radiation parameters of nearby active elements. 
         [0148]    In some embodiments, director pins  776  may be electrically isolated in integrated radio transceiver and feed  770 . Alternatively, director pins  776  may be grounded. For example, director pins  776  can include two pins that may be inserted through PCB  208 , such that two pins may remain at each side of PCB  208 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7F . Antenna feed pins  775  and director pins  776  may be mounted perpendicular to a surface of PCB  778 . Moreover, antenna feed pins  775  and/or director pins  776  may be implemented with surface mounted (SMT) pins. 
         [0149]    The perpendicular arrangement of antenna feed pins  775  and director pins  776  may allow the transmission of radio waves to be planar to the integrated radio transceiver and feed  770 . In this arrangement, the electric field may be tangential to the metal of PCB  778 , such that at the metal surface, the electric field may be zero. Thus, the radiation from the perpendicular pins can have a minimal impact upon the other electronic circuitry on PCB  778 . Hence, antenna feed pins  775  and director pins  776  may emit approximately equal F and H plane radiation patterns that can provide for effective illumination of the antenna, thus increasing the microwave system efficiency. 
         [0150]      FIG. 7G  illustrates another example of an integrated radio transceiver and feed  780  comprising a housing  781  with an antenna tube  783  in accordance with an embodiment. Housing  781  may be a weather-proof housing, such as a plastic housing that may enclose the elements of integrated radio transceiver and feed  780 . Housing  781  may conform to the shape of sub-reflector  777 . In some embodiments, housing  781  may permit interchangeability of the sub-reflector  777 . 
         [0151]    As illustrated in  FIG. 7G , sub-reflector  777  may reflect radiated waves  782  back toward a reflective antenna (e.g., a parabolic antenna reflector panel). The radiation pattern and parameters may be modified by sub-reflector antenna  777 , which may be located near antenna feed pins  775 . Director pins  776  and/or sub-reflector  777  can be selected to modify the antenna pattern and beam width, such as to improve the microwave system performance. 
         [0152]    In some embodiments, tube  783  may also be adjusted to various lengths in order to accommodate reflectors of different sizes. A digital cable may be routed through tube  783 , and can connect to digital connector  771 . 
         [0153]    Digital connector  771  may have a weatherized connector, such as a weatherized Ethernet or USB connector. 
         [0154]    A description of an integrated radio transceiver and feed is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,466,847 (entitled “MICROWAVE SYSTEM,” by inventors Robert J. Pera and John R. Sanford, filed 4 Jun. 2009), which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
       Two-Panel Directional Antenna 
       [0155]      FIG. 8A  illustrates an exemplary two-panel directional antenna  800  in accordance with an embodiment. Directional antenna  800  can include two panels  802  and  804  that together form a parabolic reflector. Moreover, a mounting assembly  808  can be coupled to a rear (convex) side of the parabolic reflector, and a feed assembly  806  can be coupled to a front (concave) side of the parabolic reflector. 
         [0156]      FIG. 8B  illustrates an exploded view of mounting assembly  808  in accordance with an embodiment. Specifically, mounting assembly  808  can include a multi-panel fastener  810 , with a proximal end that can include a flat surface with two or more openings for fastening multi-panel fastener  810  to a rear surface of side panels  802  and  804 . The distal end of multi-panel fastener  810  can include a threaded circular outer surface for screwing a lock nut  814  to multi-panel fastener  810 . Lock nut  814  and the distal end of multi-panel fastener  810  can each include an orifice for securing a ball joint  812  between multi-panel fastener  810  and lock nut  814 . Ball joint  812  can include a set of prongs which can be coupled to a mounting base  816 . 
         [0157]      FIG. 8C  illustrates two panels  802  and  804  of the directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. Specifically, panels  802  and  804  can include a set of couplings, which can fasten panels  802  and  804  together. In some embodiments, couplings  820  and  822  can each include a bore and sleeve coupling. For example, panel  804  can include bores along an inside edge (e.g., for couplings  820  and  822 ), and panel  802  can include sleeves along an inside edge. As another example, panel  802  can include a bore for one coupling and a sleeve for another coupling, and panel  804  can include the corresponding bore and sleeve for coupling panel  804  to panel  802 . 
         [0158]    In some embodiments, a bore may snap-fit into a receiving sleeve. When the inside edge of panels  802  and  804  are vertically aligned along the Y-axis, the sleeve on an inside edge of one panel may be positioned to couple with a bore on the inside edge of the other panel. For example, coupling the bores to their corresponding sleeves may involve moving at least one panel along the Z-axis, to insert the bores into the corresponding sleeves. 
         [0159]    Alternatively, a bore may be slid into a sleeve. For example, panels  802  and  804  may first be aligned along the X-axis and Z-axis, and one panel may then be moved along the Y-axis to slide the bores into the sleeves. 
         [0160]    In embodiments, the inner edge of panels  802  and  804  may have a semi-circularly shaped cutout along the middle section of the edge. When the inner edges of the panels are placed next to each other and vertically aligned, the cutouts form the reflector&#39;s central aperture for receiving the antenna feed assembly. 
         [0161]    While the description above describes using bore-and-sleeve couplings for a two-panel antenna, different locking mechanisms may be suitably used to connect multiple panels to form a reflector. For example, two or more panels may be coupled using a combination of one or more of an elbow lock seam; a z-clip fastener, a retention clip, a standing seam attachment bracket, and/or any other fastener now known or later developed. Furthermore, various interconnects may also be used to secure the panels together, such as a bolt, a screw, a pronged rivet, and a tension pin. 
         [0162]      FIG. 8D  illustrates an exemplary bore-and-sleeve coupling  830  in accordance with an embodiment. Coupling  830  can include a bore  832 , which can slide into a sleeve  834  along a Z-axis from either end of sleeve  834 . Sleeve  834  can surround a portion of bore  832  along a Z-axis, which may secure bore  832  along an X-axis and Y-axis. 
         [0163]      FIG. 8E  illustrates an exemplary bore-and-sleeve coupling  840  with a stopper  846  in accordance with an embodiment. Specifically, coupling  840  can include a sleeve  844 , which itself can include an opening  848  at one end, and a stopper  846  at an opposing end. A bore  842  can be slid into opening  848 , until one end of bore  842  makes contact with stopper  846 . 
         [0164]      FIG. 8F  illustrates an assembled two-panel directional antenna  800  in accordance with an embodiment. Moreover,  FIG. 8G  illustrates a front view of the assembled two-panel directional antenna  800 , and  FIG. 8H  illustrates a back view of the assembled two-panel directional antenna  800  in accordance with an embodiment. 
         [0165]      FIG. 8I  illustrates a top view of the assembled two-panel directional antenna  800 , and  FIG. 8J  illustrates a bottom view of the assembled two-panel directional antenna  800  in accordance with an embodiment. 
       Alternative Three-Panel Directional Antenna 
       [0166]      FIG. 9A  illustrates an exemplary three-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. The antenna system can include a reflector that may be formed from three panels  902 ,  904 , and  906 . In some embodiments, panels  902 ,  904 , and  906 , and/or an antenna feed assembly  908  may be attached to, and fastened against, a mounting assembly  910 . Moreover, panels  904  and  906  may be fastened against center panel  902 , and/or may also be fastened to each other. 
         [0167]      FIG. 9B  illustrates an exploded view of the three-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. In some embodiments, panels  902 ,  904 , and  906  may be arranged in an overlapping formation to increase the structural rigidity of the reflector. For example, center panel  802  may include a central opening for coupling feed assembly  908  to mounting assembly  910 . 
         [0168]    Also, side panels  804  and  806  may be essentially mirror images of each other, and each may have a substantially semi-circular cutout extending from an inner edge. When side panels  904  and  906  are aligned vertically with their inner edges touching one another, the cutouts may form the shape of the central opening on center panel  902  for receiving antenna feed assembly  908 . When the reflector is assembled, central panel  902  may overlap a portion of side panels  904  and  906 . 
         [0169]    In some embodiments, panels  902 ,  904 , and  906  may include a sliding track system to connect and hold panels  902 ,  904 , and  906  in a configuration that forms the parabolic reflector. For example, on the convex side of center panel  902 , a track may be positioned along one or both of the top and bottom edges. On the concave side of side panels  904  and  906 , a carriage may lie along one or both of the top and bottom edges. A track on center panel  902  may allow a carriage on side panels  904  and  906  to slide die panels  904  and  906  into place, until the central opening of center panel  902  is aligned with the central opening formed by side panels  904  and  906 . A stopper may be provided along the tracks to limit movement of the carriages once they have slid side panels  904  and  906  to their target locations. Moreover, the panels of the parabolic reflector are further strengthened and stabilized when antenna feed assembly  908  is inserted into the central opening of the reflector, and antenna feed assembly  908  is connected to the base of mounting assembly  910 . 
         [0170]      FIG. 9C  illustrates a packaging configuration for the disassembled three-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. Specifically, panels  902 ,  904 , and  906  may be packaged into a container in a stacked configuration, such that center panel  902  may be sandwiched between side panels  904  and  906 . Alternatively, center panel  902  may be stacked above side panels  904  and  906 , or may be stacked underneath side panels  904  and  906 . In some variations, panels  902 ,  904 , and  906  may be stacked vertically within a container, with their concave surfaces facing toward a top surface or a bottom surface of the container. Alternatively, the stacked panels may be placed in the container so that panels  902 ,  904 , and  906  may be stacked horizontally, with their concave surfaces facing toward a side surface of the container. 
         [0171]      FIG. 9D  illustrates a side view of the assembled three-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
         [0172]      FIG. 9E  illustrates a front view of the assembled three-panel directional antenna, and  FIG. 9F  illustrates a back view of the assembled three-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. Moreover,  FIG. 9G  illustrates a top view of the assembled three-panel directional antenna, and  FIG. 9H  illustrates a bottom view of the assembled three-panel directional antenna in accordance with an embodiment. 
         [0173]    The foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description only. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the forms disclosed. Accordingly, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. Additionally, the above disclosure is not intended to limit the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.