Patent Publication Number: US-11043741-B2

Title: Antenna array system for producing dual polarization signals

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     The present patent application is a continuation-in-part (“CIP”) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/382,375, filed on Dec. 16, 2016, titled “Antenna Array System For Producing Dual Polarization Signals Utilizing A Meandering Waveguide,” and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to both U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/382,375 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/180,873, filed on Feb. 14, 2014, titled “Antenna Array System For Producing Dual Polarization Signals Utilizing A Meandering Waveguide,” issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,537,212 on Jan. 3, 2017, which applications are both hereby incorporated herein by this reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     This present invention relates generally to microwave devices, and more particularly, to antenna arrays. 
     2. Related Art 
     In today&#39;s modern society, satellite communication systems have become common place. There are now numerous types of communication satellites in various orbits around the Earth transmitting and receiving huge amounts of information. Telecommunication satellites are utilized for microwave radio relay and mobile applications, such as, for example, communications to ships, vehicles, airplanes, personal mobile terminals, Internet data communication, television, and radio broadcasting. As a further example, with regard to Internet data communications, there is also a growing demand for in-flight Wi-Fi® Internet connectivity on transcontinental and domestic flights. Unfortunately, because of these applications, there is an ever increasing need for the utilization of more communication satellites and the increase of bandwidth capacity of each of these communication satellites. 
     A problem to solving this need is that individual communication satellite systems are very expensive to fabricate, place in Earth orbit, operate, and maintain. Another problem to solving this need is that there are limiting design factors to increasing the bandwidth capacity in a communication satellite. One of these limiting design factors is the relatively compact physical size and weight of a communication satellite. Communication satellite designs are limited by the size and weight parameters that are capable of being loaded into and delivered into orbit by a modern satellite delivery system (i.e., the rocket system). The size and weight limitations of a communication satellite limit the type of electrical, electronic, power generation, and mechanical subsystems that may be included in the communication satellite. As a result, the limit of these types of subsystems are also limiting factors to increasing the bandwidth capacity of a satellite communication. 
     It is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, that in general, the limiting factors to increase the bandwidth capacity of a communication satellite is determined by the transponders, antenna system(s), and processing system(s) of the communication satellite. 
     With regard to the antenna system (or systems), most communication satellite antenna systems include some type of antenna array system. In the past reflector antennas (such as parabolic dishes) were utilized with varying numbers of feed array elements (such as feed horns). Unfortunately, these reflector antenna systems typically scanned their antenna beams utilizing mechanical means instead of electronic means. These mechanical means generally include relatively large, bulky, and heavy mechanisms (i.e., antenna gimbals). 
     More recently, there have been satellites that have been designed utilizing non-reflector phased array antenna systems. These phased array antenna systems are capable of increasing the bandwidth capacity of the antenna system as compared to previous reflector type of antenna systems. Additionally, these phased array antenna systems are generally capable of directing and steering antenna beams without mechanically moving the phase array antenna system. Generally, dynamic phased array antenna systems utilize variable phase shifters to move the antenna beam without physically moving the phased array antenna system. Fixed phased array antenna systems, on the other hand, utilize fixed phased shifters to produce an antenna beam that is stationary with respect to the face of the phased array antenna system. A such, fixed phased array antenna systems require the movement of the entire antenna system (with for example, an antenna gimbal) to directing and steering the antenna beam. 
     Unfortunately, while dynamic phased array antenna systems are more desirable then fixed phased array antenna systems they are also more complex and expensive since they require specialized active components (e.g., power amplifiers and active phase shifters) and control systems. As such, there is a need for a new type of phased array antenna system capable of electronically scanning an antenna beam that is robust, efficient, compact, and solves the previously described problems. 
     SUMMARY 
     An antenna array system (“AAS”) for directing and steering an antenna beam is disclosed in accordance with the present disclosure. The AAS includes: a straight feed waveguide having a feed waveguide wall, a feed waveguide length, a first feed waveguide input at a first end of the straight feed waveguide, and a second feed waveguide input at a second end of the straight feed waveguide; a plurality of cross-couplers, and in signal communication with the straight feed waveguide; and a plurality of horn antennas in signal communication with the plurality of cross-couplers. The straight feed waveguide is configured to receive a first input signal at the first feed waveguide input and a second input signal at the second feed waveguide input. Each horn antenna is in signal communication with a corresponding cross-coupler and each horn antenna is configured to produce a first polarized signal from the received first input signal and a second polarized signal from the received second input signal. In this example, the first polarized signal is cross polarized with the second polarized signal. 
     In an example of operation, the AAS performs a method for directing and steering an antenna beam. The method includes receiving the first input signal at the first feed waveguide input and the second input signal at the second feed waveguide input, where the second input signal is propagating in the opposite direction of the first input signal along the straight feed waveguide. The AAS then couples the first input signal to a first cross-coupler, of the at least two cross-couplers (of the plurality of cross-couplers), where the first cross-coupler produces a first coupled output signal of the first cross-coupler, and couples the first input signal to a second cross-coupler, of the at least two cross-couplers, where the second cross-coupler produces a first coupled output signal of the second cross-coupler. The AAS also couples the second input signal to the second cross-coupler, where the second cross-coupler produces a second coupled output signal of the second cross-coupler, and couples the second input signal to the first cross-coupler, where the first cross-coupler produces a second coupled output signal of the first cross-coupler. The AAS then radiates a first polarized signal from a first horn antenna, of the at least two horn antennas (of the plurality of horn antennas), in response to the first horn antenna receiving the first coupled output signal of the first cross-coupler and radiates a second polarized signal from the first horn antenna, in response to the first horn antenna receiving the second coupled output signal of the first cross-coupler. The AAS also radiates a first polarized signal from a second horn antenna, of the at least two horn antennas, in response to the second horn antenna receiving the second coupled output signal of the second cross-coupler and radiates a second polarized signal from the second horn antenna, in response to the second horn antenna receiving the second coupled output signal of the second cross-coupler. As discussed earlier, the first polarized signal of the first horn antenna is cross polarized with the second polarized signal of the first horn antenna and the first polarized signal of the second horn antenna is cross polarized with the second polarized signal of the second horn antenna, and the first polarized signal of the first horn antenna is polarized in the same direction as the first polarized signal of the second horn antenna and second polarized signal of the first horn antenna is polarized in the same direction as the second polarized signal of the second horn antenna. 
     Other devices, apparatus, systems, methods, features and advantages of the disclosure will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The invention may be better understood by referring to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
         FIG. 1A  is a top view of the example of the implementation of an antenna array system in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1B  is a front view of the example of the implementation of the AAS shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1C  is a side view of the example of the implementation of the AAS shown if  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
         FIG. 1D  is a back view of the example of the implementation of the AAS shown in  FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C . 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an example of operation of the directional couplers and the feed waveguide shown in  FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D . 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of an example of an implementation of the feed waveguide (shown in  FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D ) in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective-side view of a portion of the feed waveguide shown in  FIG. 3  showing the TE 10  mode excited electric and magnetic fields. 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective-side view of a portion of the feed waveguide shown in  FIG. 3  showing the resulting induced currents in the TE 10  mode along the broad-wall and narrow-wall corresponding to the excited electric and magnetic fields shown in  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the feed waveguide shown if  FIG. 3  with a plurality of excited magnetic field loops along the length of the feed waveguide. 
         FIG. 6  is a side-cut view of an example of implementation of the feed waveguide, pair of planar coupling slots, and directional coupler in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7A  is a front-perspective view of an example of an implementation of a horn antenna for use with the AAS in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7B  is a back view of the horn antenna (shown in  FIG. 7A ) showing a first horn input, a second horn input, and a septum polarizer. 
         FIG. 8  is a plot of the amplitude, in decibels, of five example antenna radiation patterns versus broadside angle in degrees. 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of an example of an implementation of another AAS in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10A  is a top view of an example of an implementation of yet another AAS in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10B  is a side view of the example of the implementation of the AAS shown in  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of an example of an implementation of the feed waveguide (shown if  FIGS. 10A and 10B ) in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12A  is a top view of an example of yet another implementation of AAS in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12B  is an exploded top view of the example of the implementation of the AAS shown in  FIG. 12A  in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12C  is another exploded top view of the example of the implementation of the AAS shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B  in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12D  is a side view of the example of the implementation of the AAS shown in  FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C  in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12E  is a front view of the example of the implementation of the AAS shown in  FIGS. 12A through 12D  in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12F  is a front view of another implementation of the AAS shown in  FIGS. 12A through 12E  in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of an example of an implementation of yet another AAS in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 14  is flowchart describing an example of an implementation of a method performed by the AAS shown in  FIGS. 1-13  in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 15  is a prospective view of an example of an implementation of a reflector antenna system in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a communication satellite utilizing the reflector antenna system shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An antenna array system for directing and steering an antenna beam is described in accordance with the present disclosure. In an example of an implementation, the AAS may include a feed waveguide having a feed waveguide length, at least two directional couplers in signal communication with the feed waveguide, at least two pairs of planar coupling slots along the feed waveguide length, and at least two horn antennas. The feed waveguide may have a feed waveguide wall, at least one turn along the feed waveguide length, a first feed waveguide input at a first end of the feed waveguide, and a second feed waveguide input at a second end of the feed waveguide. The feed waveguide is configured to receive a first input signal at the first feed waveguide input and a second input signal at the second feed waveguide input. 
     Each directional coupler, of the at least two directional couplers, has a bottom wall that is adjacent to the waveguide wall of the feed waveguide and each directional coupler is configured to produce a first coupled signal from the first input signal and a second coupled signal from the second input signal. A first pair of planar coupling slots, of the at least two pairs of planar coupling slots, corresponds to the a first directional coupler, of the at least two directional couplers, and a second pair of planar coupling slots, of the at least two pairs of planar coupling slots, corresponds to the a second directional coupler, of the at least two directional couplers. Additionally, the first pair of planar coupling slots are cut into the feed waveguide wall of the feed waveguide and the adjacent bottom wall of the first directional coupler and the second pair of planar coupling slots are cut into the feed waveguide wall of the feed waveguide and the adjacent bottom wall of the second directional coupler. 
     A first horn antenna, of the at least two horn antennas, is in signal communication with the first directional coupler and a second horn antenna, of the at least two horn antennas, is in signal communication with the second directional coupler. The first horn antenna is configured to receive both the first coupled signal and the second coupled signal from the first directional coupler and the second horn antenna is configured to receive both the first coupled signal and the second coupled signal from the second directional coupler. Additionally, the first horn antenna is configured to produce a first polarized signal from the received first coupled signal and a second circularly signal from the received second coupled signal and the second horn antenna is configured to produce a first polarized signal from the received first coupled signal and a second polarized signal from the received second coupled signal, where the first polarized signal of the first horn antenna is cross polarized with the second polarized signal of the first horn antenna and the first polarized signal of the second horn antenna is cross polarized with the second polarized signal of the second horn antenna. Furthermore, the first polarized signal of the first horn antenna is polarized in the same direction as the first polarized signal of the second horn antenna and second polarized signal of the first horn antenna is polarized in the same direction as the second polarized signal of the second horn antenna. 
     The polarizations of the first polarized signals and second polarized signals of the first horn antenna and second horn antenna, respectively, may be any desired polarization scheme including linear polarization, circular polarization, elliptical polarization, etc. As an example, the first polarized signal and the second polarized signal of the first horn antenna may be a first linearly polarized signal and second linearly polarized signal where the first linearly polarized signal and second linearly polarized signal are cross polarized (i.e., the polarizations are orthogonal) because one may be “vertical” polarized and the other may be “horizontal” polarized. Similarly, the first polarized signal and second polarized signal of the first horn antenna may be a first linearly polarized signal and the second linearly polarized signal where the first linearly polarized signal and second linearly polarized signal are cross polarized. Additionally, in this example, the first linearly polarized signal of the first horn antenna and the first linearly polarized signal of the second horn antenna may be polarized in the same direction (i.e., both may be vertical polarized or both may be horizontally polarized). Similarly, the second linearly polarized signal of the first horn antenna and the second linearly polarized signal of the second horn antenna may be polarized in the same direction. 
     In the case of circular polarization, the first polarized signal and the second polarized signal of the first horn antenna may be a first circularly polarized signal and the second circularly polarized signal of the first horn where the first circularly polarized signal and second circularly polarized signal are cross polarized because the first circularly polarized signal of the first horn antenna rotates in the opposite direction of the second circularly polarized signal of the first horn antenna (i.e., one may be right-hand circularly polarized and the other may be left-hand circularly polarized). Similarly, the first polarized signal and the second polarized signal of the second horn antenna may be a first circularly polarized signal and the second circularly polarized signal of the second horn antenna where the first circularly polarized signal and second circularly polarized signal are cross polarized because the first circularly polarized signal of the second horn antenna rotates in the opposite direction of the second circularly polarized signal of the second horn antenna. 
     Additionally, in this example, the first circularly polarized signal of the first horn antenna and the first circularly polarized signal of the second horn antenna may be polarized in the same direction (i.e., both may rotate in the same direction such that both may be right-hand circularly polarized (“RHCP”) or both may be left-hand circularly polarized (“LHCP”)). Similarly, the second circularly polarized signal of the first horn antenna and the second circularly polarized signal of the second horn antenna may be polarized in the same direction. 
     In an example of operation, the AAS performs a method that includes receiving a first input signal at the first feed waveguide input and a second input signal at the second feed waveguide input, wherein the second input signal is propagating in the opposite direction of the first input signal. Coupling the first input signal to a first directional coupler, of the at least two directional couplers, where the first directional coupler produces a first coupled output signal of the first directional coupler and coupling the first input signal to a second directional coupler, of the at least two directional couplers, where the second directional coupler produces a first coupled output signal of the second directional coupler. The method also includes coupling the second input signal to the second directional coupler, wherein the second directional coupler produces a second coupled output signal of the second directional coupler and coupling the second input signal to the first directional coupler, where the first directional coupler produces a second coupled output signal of the first directional coupler. The method further includes radiating a first circularly polarized signal from a first horn antenna, of the at least two horn antennas, in response to the first horn antenna receiving the first coupled output signal of the first directional coupler and radiating a second circularly polarized signal from the first horn antenna, in response to the first horn antenna receiving the second coupled output signal of the first directional coupler. The method moreover includes radiating a first circularly polarized signal from a second horn antenna, of the at least two horn antennas, in response to the second horn antenna receiving the second coupled output signal of the second directional coupler and radiating a second circularly polarized signal from the second horn antenna, in response to the second horn antenna receiving the second coupled output signal of the second directional coupler. 
     In another example of an implementation, the AAS may include a feed waveguide having a feed waveguide length, at least four directional couplers in signal communication with the feed waveguide, at least four pairs of planar coupling slots along the feed waveguide length, and at least two horn antennas. The feed waveguide may have a feed waveguide wall, at least five turns along the feed waveguide length, a first feed waveguide input at a first end of the feed waveguide, and a second feed waveguide input at a second end of the feed waveguide. The feed waveguide is configured to receive a first input signal at the first feed waveguide input and a second input signal at the second feed waveguide input. 
     Each directional coupler, of the at least four directional couplers, has a bottom wall that is adjacent to the waveguide wall of the feed waveguide and each directional coupler is configured to produce a coupled signal from either the first input signal or the second input signal. A first pair of planar coupling slots, of the at least four pairs of planar coupling slots, corresponds to the a first directional coupler, of the at least four directional couplers; a second pair of planar coupling slots, of the at least four pairs of planar coupling slots, corresponds to the a second directional coupler, of the at least four directional couplers; a third pair of planar coupling slots, of the at least four pairs of planar coupling slots, corresponds to the a third directional coupler, of the at least four directional couplers; and a fourth pair of planar coupling slots, of the at least four pairs of planar coupling slots, corresponds to the a fourth directional coupler, of the at least four directional couplers. The first pair of planar coupling slots are cut into the feed waveguide wall of the feed waveguide and the adjacent bottom wall of the first directional coupler; the second pair of planar coupling slots are cut into the feed waveguide wall of the feed waveguide and the adjacent bottom wall of the second directional coupler; the third pair of planar coupling slots are cut into the feed waveguide wall of the feed waveguide and the adjacent bottom wall of the third directional coupler; and the fourth pair of planar coupling slots are cut into the feed waveguide wall of the feed waveguide and the adjacent bottom wall of the fourth directional coupler. 
     A first horn antenna, of the at least two horn antennas, is in signal communication with the first directional coupler and the second directional coupler and a second horn antenna, of the at least two horn antennas, is in signal communication with the third directional coupler and the fourth directional coupler. The first horn antenna is configured to receive the coupled signal from the first directional coupler and the coupled signal from the second directional coupler and the second horn antenna is configured to receive the coupled signal from the third directional coupler and the coupled signal from the fourth directional coupler. Additionally, the first horn antenna is configured to produce a first polarized signal from the received coupled signal from the first directional coupler and a second polarized signal from the received coupled signal from the second directional coupler and the second horn antenna is configured to produce a first polarized signal from the received coupled signal from the third directional coupler and a second polarized signal from the received coupled signal from the fourth directional coupler. The first polarized signal of the first horn antenna is cross polarized with the opposite direction of the second polarized signal of the first horn antenna and the first polarized signal of the second horn antenna is cross polarized with the opposite direction of the second polarized signal of the second horn antenna. Moreover, the first polarized signal of the first horn antenna is polarized in the same direction as the first polarized signal of the second horn antenna and the second polarized signal of the first horn antenna is polarized in the same direction as the second polarized signal of the second horn antenna. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D , various views of an example of an implementation of an AAS  100  are shown in accordance with the present disclosure. In  FIG. 1A , a top view of the implementation of an AAS  100  is shown. The AAS  100  may include a feed waveguide  102 , plurality of directional couplers (not shown), a plurality of horn antennas including, for example, first horn antenna (“1 st  HA”)  104 , second horn antenna (“2 nd  HA”)  106 , third horn antenna (“3 rd  HA”)  108 , fourth horn antenna (“4 th  HA”)  110 , fifth horn antenna (“5 th  HA”)  112 , and sixth horn antenna (“6 th  HA”)  114 , and a plurality of power amplifiers (not shown). The feed waveguide  102  includes a first feed waveguide input (“1 st  FWI”)  116  at a first end  118  of the feed waveguide  102  and a second feed waveguide input (“2 nd  FWI”)  120  at a second end  122  of the feed waveguide  102 , where the second end  122  is at the opposite end of the feed waveguide  102  with respect to the first end  118 . The feed waveguide  102  may be a serpentine or meandering waveguide that includes a plurality of turns (i.e., bends) including, for example, first bend (“1 st  bend”)  124 , second bend (“2 nd  bend”)  126 , third bend (“3 rd  bend”)  128 , fourth bend (“4 th  bend”)  130 , and fifth bend (“5 th  bend”)  132 . In this example, the physical layout of the feed waveguide  102  may be described by three-dimensional Cartesian coordinates with coordinate axes X  134 , Y  136 , and Z  138 , where the feed waveguide  102  is located in an XY-plane  139  defined by the X  134  and Y  136  coordinate axes. Additionally, the 1 st  HA  104 , 2 nd  HA  106 , 3 rd  HA  108 , 4 th  HA  110 , 5 th    112 , and 6 th    114  are shown extending perpendicular from the X-Y plane  139  along the Z  138  coordinate axis. 
     It is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, that while only six horn antennas (e.g., 1 st  HA  104 , 2 nd  HA  106 , 3 rd  HA  108 , 4 th  HA  110 , 5 th    112 , and 6 th    114 ) and five turns (e.g., 1 st  bend  124 , 2 nd  bend  126 , 3 rd  bend  128 , 4 th  bend  130 , and 5 th  bend  132 ) in the feed waveguide  102  are shown, this is for illustration purposes only and the AAS  100  may include any even number of directional couplers (not shown), horn antennas, and power amplifiers (not shown) with a corresponding number of turns needed to feed the directional couplers. As another example, the AAS  100  may include 60 directional couplers and horn antennas, and 59 turns in the feed waveguide. It is appreciated that the number of horn antennas determines the numbers directional couplers, and turns in the feed waveguide  102 . Each horn antenna of the plurality of horn antennas (e.g., 1 st  HA  104 , 2 nd  HA  106 , 3 rd  HA  108 , 4 th  HA  110 , 5 th    112 , and 6 th    114 ) acts as an individual radiating element of the AAS  100 . In operation, each horn antenna&#39;s individual radiation pattern typically varies in amplitude and phase from each other horn antenna&#39;s radiation pattern. The amplitude of the radiation pattern for each horn antenna is controlled by a power amplifier (not shown) that controls the amplitude of the excitation current of the horn antenna. Similarly, the phase of the radiation pattern of each horn antenna is determined by the corresponding delayed phase caused by the feed waveguide  102  in feeding the directional coupler that corresponds to the horn antenna. An optional plurality of phase-shifters may be also included to help control and/or correct the delayed phase. 
     In  FIG. 1B , a front view of the example of the implementation of the AAS  100  is shown. In this front view, a plurality of directional couplers (for example, first directional coupler (“1 st  DC”)  140 , second directional coupler (“2 nd  DC”)  142 , third directional coupler (“3 rd  DC”)  144 , fourth directional coupler (“4 th  DC”)  146 , fifth directional coupler (“5 th  DC”)  148 , and sixth directional coupler (“6 th  DC”)  150  are shown in signal communication with the both the feed waveguide  102  and a plurality of power amplifiers, for example, first power amplifier (“1 st  PA”)  152 , second power amplifier PA″)  154 , third power amplifier PA″)  156 , fourth power (“2 nd  (” 3 rd  amplifier (“4 th  PA”)  158 , fifth power amplifier (“5 th  PA”)  160 , and sixth power amplifier (“6 th  PA”)  162 . The plurality of power amplifiers (e.g., 1 st  PA  152 , 2 nd  PA  154 , 3 rd  PA  156 , 4 th  PA  158 , 5 th  PA  160 , and 6 th  PA  162 ) are shown in signal communication with the plurality of horn antennas (e.g., 1 st  HA  104 , 2 nd  HA  106 , 3 rd  HA  108 , 4 th  HA  110 , 5 th    112 , and 6 th    114 ), respectively. In this example, the feed waveguide  102  and 1 st  DC  140 , 2 nd  DC  142 , 3 rd  DC  144 , 4 th  DC  146 , 5 th  DC  148 , and 6 th  DC  150  are shown to be rectangular waveguides. For reference, the physical layout of the AAS  100  in this front view is shown within a YZ-plane  163  defined by the Y  136  and Z  138  coordinate axes with the X  134  coordinate axis directed in a direction that is both perpendicular and into the YZ-plane  163 . 
     In  FIG. 1C , a side view of the example of the implementation of the AAS  100  is shown. For reference, the physical layout of the AAS  100  in this side view is shown within a XZ-plane  165  defined by the X  134  and Z  138  coordinate axes with the Y  136  coordinate axis directed in a direction that is both perpendicular and out of the XZ-plane  165 . In this side view, another power amplifier (i.e., a seventh power amplifier (“7 th  PA”)  164 ) is shown in signal communication with the 6 th  HA  114  and the 6 th  DC  150 . In this example, the 6 th  DC  150  is shown to be a “U” shaped waveguide structure that is located adjacent the feed waveguide  102  having two bends. The first bend  166  is located close to the 6 th  PA  162  and the second bend  168  is located in the opposite direction along the 6 th  DC  150  close to the 7 th  PA  164 . Specifically, the 6 th  DC  150  is in signal communication with the both the 6 th  PA  162  and the 7 th  PA  164  at a first end  170  and second end  172  of the 6 th  DC  150 , respectively. 
     The bent waveguide structure of the 6 th  DC  150  is known as an “E-bend” because it distorts the electric field, unlike the turns/bends (i.e., 1 st  bend  124 , 2 nd  bend  126 , 3 rd  bend  128 , 4 th  bend  130 , and 5 th  bend  132 ) in the feed waveguide  102  that are known as “H-bends” because they distort the magnetic field. Generally, an E-bend waveguide may be constructed utilizing a gradual bend or by utilizing a number of step transitions (as shown in  FIG. 1C ) that are designed to minimize reflections in the waveguide. Similarly, an H-bend waveguide may also be constructed utilizing a gradual bend (as shown in  FIG. 1A ) or by utilizing a number of step transitions (shown in  FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 10 ) that are designed to minimize reflections in the waveguide. The design of these types of H-bend and E-bend waveguides are well known in the art. 
     The reason for utilizing a bent waveguide structure for the 6 th  DC  150  is to allow the 6 th  HA to radiate in a normal (i.e., perpendicular) direction away from the XY-plane  139  that defines the physical layout structure of the feed waveguide  102 . It is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the 6 th DC  150  may also be non-bent if the 6 th DC  150  is designed to radiate in a direction parallel to the XY-plane  139 . 
     It is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that while only one combination of 6 th  DC  150 , 6 th  HA, 6 th  PA  162 , 7 th  PA  164 , and 3 rd  bend  128  of the feed waveguide  102  is shown, this combination is also representative of the other directional couplers (i.e., 1 st  DC  140 , 2 nd  DC  142 , 3 rd  DC  144 , 4 th  DC  146 , 5 th  DC  148 , and 6 th  DC  150 ), plurality of power amplifiers (i.e., 1 st  PA  152 , 2 nd  PA  154 , 3 rd  PA  156 , 4 th  PA  158 , 5 th  PA  160 , 6 th  PA  162 , and 7 th  PA  164 ), horn antennas (i.e., 1 st  HA  104 , 2 nd  HA  106 , 3 rd  HA  108 , 4 th  HA  110 , 5 th  HA  112 , and 6 th  HA  114 ), and the turns (i.e., 1 st  bend  124 , and 2 nd  bend  126 ) of the feed waveguide  102 . It is noted that the 4 th  bend  130 , and 5 th  bend  132  of the feed waveguide  102  are not visible in this side view because they are blocked by the second end  122  of the feed waveguide  102 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 1D , a back view of the example of the implementation of the AAS  100  is shown. In this back view, the plurality of directional couplers (i.e., 1 st  DC  140 , 2 nd  DC  142 , 3 rd  DC  144 , 4 th  DC  146 , 5 th  DC  148 , and 6 th  DC  150 ) are shown in signal communication with the both the feed waveguide  102  and an additional plurality of power amplifiers (e.g., a seventh power amplifier (“7 th  PA”)  164 , an eighth power amplifier (“8 th  PA”)  174 , a ninth power amplifier (“9 th  PA”)  176 , a tenth power amplifier (“10 th  PA”)  178 , an eleventh power amplifier (“11 th  PA”)  180 , and a twelfth power amplifier (“12 th  PA”)  182 ). The plurality of power amplifiers (i.e., 7 th  PA  164 , 8 th  PA  174 , 9 th  PA  176 , 10 th  PA  178 , 11 th  PA  180 , and 12 th  PA  182 ) are shown in signal communication with the plurality of horn antennas (i.e., 6 th  HA  114 , 5 th  HA  112 , 4 th  HA  110 , 3 rd  HA  108 , 2 nd  HA  106 , and 1 st  HA  104 ), respectively. For reference, the physical layout of the AAS  100  in this back view is shown within an YZ-plane  183  defined by the Y  136  and Z  138  coordinate axes with the X  134  coordinate axis directed in a direction that is both perpendicular and extending out of the YZ-plane  183 . 
     In this example, both the feed waveguide  102  and the 1 st  DC  140 , 2 nd  DC  142 , 3 rd  DC  144 , 4 th  DC  146 , 5 th  DC  148 , and 6 th  DC  150  are shown to be rectangular waveguides having broad-walls (as seen in  FIG. 1A  for the feed waveguide  102  and in  FIGS. 1B and 1D  for the 1 st  DC  140 , 2 nd  DC  142 , 3 rd  DC  144 , 4 th  DC  146 , 5 th  DC  148 , and 6 th  DC  150 ) and narrow-walls (as seen in  FIGS. 1B and 1D  for the feed waveguide  102  and in  FIG. 1C  for the directional couplers  140 ,  142 ,  144 ,  146 ,  148 , and  150 ). In operation, each directional coupler (e.g., 1 st  DC  140 , 2 nd  DC  142 , 3 rd  DC  144 , 4 th  DC  146 , 5 th  DC  148 , and 6 th  DC  150 ) utilizes a pair of planar coupling slots (not shown) located and cut into the broad-wall of the directional coupler (e.g., 1 st  DC  140 , 2 nd  DC  142 , 3 rd  DC  144 , 4 th  DC  146 , 5 th  DC  148 , and 6 th  DC  150 ) and the corresponding portion of the broad-wall of the feed waveguide  102  that is adjacent to the broad-wall of the respective directional coupler (i.e., 1 st  DC  140 , 2 nd  DC  142 , 3 rd  DC  144 , 4 th  DC  146 , 5 th  DC  148 , and 6 th  DC  150 ). 
     In an example of operation, the feed waveguide  102  acts as a traveling wave meandering-line array feeding the plurality of directional couplers (i.e., 1 st  DC  140 , 2 nd  DC  142 , 3 rd  DC  144 , 4 th  DC  146 , 5 th  DC  148 , and 6 th  DC  150 ). The AAS  100  receives a first input signal  184  and a second input signal  186 . Both the first input signal  184  and second input signal  186  may be TE 10 , or TE 01 , mode propagated signals. The first input signal  184  is input into the first feed waveguide input  116  at the first end  118  of the feed waveguide  102  and the second input signal  186  is input into the second feed waveguide input  120  at the second end  122  of the feed waveguide  102 . In this example, both the first input signal  184  and the second input signal  186  propagate along the direction of the X  134  coordinate axis into the opposite ends of the feed waveguide  102 . 
     Once in the feed waveguide  102 , the first input signal  184  and the second input signal  186  propagate along the feed waveguide  102  in opposite directions coupling parts of their respective energies into the different directional couplers (i.e., 1 st  DC  140 , 2 nd  DC  142 , 3 rd  DC  144 , 4 th  DC  146 , 5 th  DC  148 , and 6 th  DC  150 ). Since the first input signal  184  and the second input signal  186  are traveling wave signals that are travelling in opposite directions along a length (i.e., waveguide length  188 ) of the feed waveguide  102 , they will have a phase delay of about 180 degrees relative to each other at any given point within the feed waveguide  102 . In general, the waveguide length  188  of the feed waveguide  102  is several wavelengths long, of the operating wavelength of the first input signal  184  and second input signal  186 , so as to be long enough to create a length (not shown) between the pairs of planar coupling slots (not shown) that is also multiple wavelengths of the operating wavelengths of the first input signal  184  and second input signal  186 . The reason for this length between pairs of planar coupling slots (not shown) is to create a phase increment needed for beam steering an antenna beam (not shown) of the AAS  100  as a function of frequency. As an example, the length between the pairs of planar coupling slots may be between five (5) to seven (7) wavelengths long. 
     In this example, as the first input signal  184  travels from the first end  118  to the second end  122  along the feed waveguide  102 , the first input signal  184  successively couples a portion of its energy to each direction coupler (i.e., 1 st  DC  140 , 2 nd  DC  142 , 3 rd  DC  144 , 4 th  DC  146 , 5 th  DC  148 , and 6 th  DC  150 ) until the a first remaining signal (“1 st  RS”)  190  of the remaining energy (if any) is outputted from the second end  122  of the feed waveguide  102 . Similarly, as the second input signal  186  travels in the opposite direction from the second end  122  to the first end  118  of the feed waveguide  102 , the second input signal  186  successively couples a portion of its energy to each direction coupler (i.e., 6 th  DC  150 , 5 th  DC  148 , 4 th  DC  146 , 3 rd  DC  144 , 2 nd  DC  142 , and 1 st  DC  140 ) until a second remaining signal  192  of the remaining energy (if any) of the second input signal  186  is outputted from the first end  118  of the feed waveguide  102 . It is appreciated that by optimizing the design of the 1 st  DC  140 , 2 nd  DC  142 , 3 rd  DC  144 , 4 th  DC  146 , 5 th  DC  148 , and 6 th  DC  150 , both the first remaining signal  190  and second remaining signal  192  may be reduced to close to zero. 
     In this example, when the first input signal  184  travels along the feed waveguide  102 , it will couple a first portion of it energy to the 1 st  DC  140 , which will pass this first coupled output signal to the 1 st  HA. The remaining portion of the first input signal  184  will then travel along the feed waveguide  102  to the 2 nd  DC  142  where it will couple another portion of its energy to the 2 nd  DC  142 , which will pass this second coupled output signal to the 2 nd  HA. This process will continue such that another portion of the first input signal  184  will be coupled to the 3 rd  DC  144 , 4 th  DC  146 , 5 th  DC  148 , and 6 th  DC  150  and passed to the 3 rd  HA  108 , 4 th  HA  110 , 5 th  HA  112 , and 6 th  HA  114 , respectively. The remaining portion of the first input signal  184  will then be output from the second end  122  of the feed waveguide  102  as the first remaining signal  190 . Similarly, when the second input signal  186  travels along the feed waveguide  102 , it will couple a first portion of it energy to the 6 th  DC, which will pass this first coupled output signal to the 6 th  HA. The remaining portion of the second input signal  186  will then travel along the feed waveguide  102  to the 5 th  DC where it will couple another portion of it energy to the 5 th  DC, which will pass this second coupled output signal to the 5 th  HA. This process will continue such that another portion of the second input signal  186  will be coupled to the 4 th  DC  146 , 3 rd  DC  144 , 2 nd  DC  142 , and 1 st  DC  140  and passed to the 4 th  HA  110 , 3 rd  HA  108 , 2 nd  HA  106 , and 1 st  HA  104 , respectively. The remaining portion of the second input signal  186  will then be output from the first end  118  of the feed waveguide  102  as the second remaining signal  192 . 
     As a result, the first input signal  184  and second input signal  186  will cause the excitation of the 1 st  HA  104 , 2 nd  HA  106 , 3 rd  HA  108 , 4 th  HA  110 , 5 th  HA  112 , and 6 th  HA  114 . The 1 st  HA  104 , 2 nd  HA  106 , 3 rd  HA  108 , 4 th  HA  110 , 5 th  HA  112 , and 6 th  HA  114  may be configured to produce RHCP and LHCP signals when excited by the coupled portions of the first input signal  184  and second input signal  186 , respectively. Alternatively, the 1 st  HA  104 , 2 nd  HA  106 , 3 rd  HA  108 , 4 th  HA  110 , 5 th  HA  112 , and 6 th  HA  114  may be configured to produce horizontal polarization and vertical polarization signals when excited by the coupled portions of the first input signal  184  and second input signal  186 , respectively. 
     It is appreciated that a first circulator, or other isolation device, (not shown) may be connected to the first end  118  to isolate the first input signal  184  from the outputted second remaining signal  192  and a second circulator, or other isolation device, (not shown) may be connected to the second end  122  to isolate the second input signal  186  from the outputted first remaining signal  190 . It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that the amount of coupled energy from the feed waveguide  102  to the respective 1 st  DC  140 , 2 nd  DC  142 , 3 rd  DC  144 , 4 th  DC  146 , 5 th  DC  148 , and 6 th  DC  150  is determined by predetermined design choices that will yield the desired radiation antenna pattern of the AAS  100 . 
     It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that the circuits, components, modules, and/or devices of, or associated with, the AAS  100  are described as being in signal communication with each other, where signal communication refers to any type of communication and/or connection between the circuits, components, modules, and/or devices that allows a circuit, component, module, and/or device to pass and/or receive signals and/or information from another circuit, component, module, and/or device. The communication and/or connection may be along any signal path between the circuits, components, modules, and/or devices that allows signals and/or information to pass from one circuit, component, module, and/or device to another and includes wireless or wired signal paths. The signal paths may be physical, such as, for example, conductive wires, electromagnetic wave guides, cables, attached and/or electromagnetic or mechanically coupled terminals, semi-conductive or dielectric materials or devices, or other similar physical connections or couplings. Additionally, signal paths may be non-physical such as free-space (in the case of electromagnetic propagation) or information paths through digital components where communication information is passed from one circuit, component, module, and/or device to another in varying digital formats without passing through a direct electromagnetic connection. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the example of operation of the directional couplers and the feed waveguide shown in  FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D . As described earlier, a first input signal  184  is in injected into the feed waveguide  102 . The feed waveguide  102  then passes the first input signal  184  to the 1 st  DC  140 , which produces a first forward coupled (“1 st  FC”) signal  200  and passes it to the 1 st  HA  104 . A first remaining first input (“1 st  RFI”) signal  202  is then passed to the 2 nd  DC  142 , which produces a second forward coupled (“2 nd  FC”) signal  204  and passes it to the 2 nd  HA  106 . A second remaining first input (“2 nd  RFI”) signal  206  is then passed to the 3 rd  DC  144 , which produces a third forward coupled (“3 rd  FC”) signal  208  and passes it to the 3 rd  HA  108 . A third remaining first input (“3 rd  RFI”) signal  210  is then passed to the 4 th  DC  146 , which produces a fourth forward coupled (“4 th  FC”) signal  212  and passes it to the 4 th  HA  110 . A fourth remaining first input (“4 th  RFI”) signal  214  is then passed to the 5 th  DC  148 , which produces a fifth forward coupled (“5 th  FC”) signal  216  and passes it to the 5 th  HA  112 . Finally, a fifth remaining first input (“5 th  FC”) signal  218  is then passed to the 6 th  DC  150 , which produces a sixth forward coupled (“6 th  FC”) signal  220  and passes it to the 6 th  HA  114 . The sixth remaining first input signal is the first remaining signal  190  that is then outputted from the feed waveguide  102 . Similarly, the second input signal  186  is injected into the feed waveguide  102 . The feed waveguide  102  then passes the second input signal  186  to the 6 th  DC  150 , which produces a first reverse coupled signal (“1 st  RC”)  222  and passes it to the 6 th  HA  114 . A first remaining second input signal (“1 st  RSI”)  224  is then passed to the 5 th  DC  148 , which produces a second reverse coupled (“2 nd  RC”) signal  226  and passes it to the 5 th  HA  112 . A second remaining second input (“2 nd  RSI”) signal  228  is then passed to the 4 th  DC  146 , which produces the third reverse coupled (“3rd RC”) signal  230  and passes it to the 4 th  HA  110 . A third remaining second input (“3 rd  RSI”) signal  232  is then passed to the 3 rd  DC  144 , which produces the fourth reverse coupled (“4 th  RC”) signal  234  and passes it to the 3 rd  HA  108 . A fourth remaining second input (“4 th  RSI”) signal  236  is then passed to the 2 nd  DC  142 , which produces fifth reverse coupled (“5 th  RC”) signal  238  and passes it to the 2 nd  HA  106 . Finally, the fifth remaining second input (“5 th  RSI”) signal  240  is then passed to the 1 st  DC  140 , which produces sixth reverse coupled (“6 th  RC”) signal  242  and passes it to the 1 st  HA  104 . The sixth remaining second input signal is the second remaining signal  192  that is then outputted from the feed waveguide  102 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 3 , a top view of an example of an implementation of the feed waveguide  102  is shown in accordance with the present disclosure. The feed waveguide  102  includes a broad-wall  300  and a plurality of planar coupling slots  302 ,  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316 ,  318 ,  320 ,  322 , and  324  that are organized into pairs of planar coupling slots  326 ,  328 ,  330 ,  332 ,  334 , and  336 , respectively. In this example, the planar coupling slots  302 ,  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316 ,  318 ,  320 ,  322 , and  324  are cut into the broad-wall  300  of the feed waveguide  102  and each pair of planar coupling slots  326 ,  328 ,  330 ,  332 ,  334 , and  336  have a pair of planar coupling slots (i.e.,  326 ,  328 ,  330 ,  332 ,  334 , and  336 ) that are spaced  338  approximately a quarter-wavelength apart. In this example, the planar coupling slots are radiating slots that radiate energy out from the feed waveguide  102 . It is appreciated that the feed waveguide  102  is constructed of a conductive material such as metal and defines a rectangular tube that that has an internal cavity running the waveguide length  188  of the feed waveguide  102  that may be filled with air, dielectric material, or both. 
     In an example of operation, when the first input signal  184  and second input signals  186  are injected (i.e., inputted) into the feed waveguide  102  they excite both magnetic and electric fields within the feed waveguide  102 . This gives rise to induced currents in the walls (i.e., the broad-wall  300  and narrow wall (not shown)) of the feed waveguide  102  that are at right angles to the magnetic field. As an example, in  FIG. 4A , a perspective-side view of a portion  400  of the feed waveguide  102  (of  FIG. 3 ) is shown. In this example, the first input signal  186  is injected into the cavity  402  of the feed waveguide  102  at the 1 st  FWI  116  (at the first end  118  of the feed waveguide  102 ). If the first input signal  184  is a TE 10  mode signal, it will induce an electric field  404  that is directed along the vertical direction of the narrow-wall  406  of the feed waveguide  102  and a magnetic field  408  that is perpendicular to the electric field  404  and forms loops along the direction of propagation  410 , which are parallel to the broad-wall  300  (both at the top broad-wall  300  and at bottom broad-wall  412 ) and tangential to the sidewalls (i.e., narrow-wall  406 ). It is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that for the TE 10  mode, the electric field  404  varies in a sinusoidal fashion as a function of distance along the direction of propagation  410 . In  FIG. 4B , a perspective-side view of the portion  400  of the feed waveguide  102  is shown with the resulting induced currents  414  in the TE 10  mode along the broad-wall  300  and narrow-wall  406  that produced by the first input signal  184 . 
     Expanding on this concept, in  FIG. 5 , a top view of the feed waveguide  102  is shown with a plurality of excited magnetic field loops  500  along the waveguide length  188  of the feed waveguide  102 . The magnetic field loops are caused by the propagation of the first input signal  184  along the length of the feed waveguide  102 . It is noted that in  FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 5  the examples were described in relation to the first input signal  184 ; however, it is appreciated that by reciprocity the same examples hold true for describing the electric and magnetic fields and the induced currents along the feed waveguide  102  for the second input signal  186 . The only difference is that the polarities will be opposite because of the opposite direction of propagation of the second input signal  186  in relation to the first input signal  184 . 
     Turning back to  FIG. 3  (with reference to  FIGS. 4A and 4B ), each planar coupling slot  302 ,  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316 ,  318 ,  320 ,  322 , and  324  is designed to interrupt the current flow of the induced currents  414  in the broad-wall  300  of the feed waveguide  102  and as a result produce a disturbance of the internal electric field  404  and magnetic field  408  that results in energy being radiated from the cavity  402  of the feed waveguide  102  to the external environment of the feed waveguide  102 , i.e., coupling energy from the feed waveguide  102  to the external environment. Turning back to  FIGS. 1A through 1D  and  FIG. 2 , these pairs of planar coupling slots  326 ,  330 ,  332 ,  334 , and  336 , couple energy from the feed waveguide  102  to the respective directional couplers (i.e., 1 st  DC  140 , 2 nd  DC  142 , 3 rd  DC  144 , 4 th  DC  146 , 5 th  DC  148 , and 6 th  DC  150 ) shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1D  and  FIG. 2 . 
     It is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that  FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 5  describe the input signals as being TE 10  mode signals; however, the signals may instead be TE 01  mode signals which are also well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In the case of TE 10  mode signals, the induced currents  414  and electric fields  404  within the feed waveguide  102  will be different and each planar coupling slot will be different than the slots for the TE 10  mode example described above. However, the design theory is similar in that each planar coupling slot is still designed to interrupt the current flow of induced currents  414  in the broad-wall  300  of the feed waveguide  102 . In this example, the AAS  100  may be utilized to steer an antenna beam by frequency utilizing a single input (either the first input signal  184  or the second input signal  186 ) or by utilizing a given frequency by feeding both ends with the first input signal  184  and the second input signal  186 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 6 , in  FIG. 6  a side-cut view of an example of an implementation of a feed waveguide  600 , a pair of planar coupling slots  602  and  604 , and a directional coupler  606  is shown in accordance with the present disclosure. The directional coupler  606  is coupled to the feed waveguide  600  via the pair of planar coupling slots  602  and  604 , which couple energy from the feed waveguide  600  to the directional coupler  606 . In this example, it is appreciated that the feed waveguide  600  has a pair of planar coupling slots cut into the top broad-wall  608  of the feed waveguide  600  and that the directional coupler  606  has a corresponding pair of planar coupling slots cut into the bottom broad-wall  610  of the directional coupler  606 . The pair of planar coupling slots from the feed waveguide  600  and the pair of planar coupling slots from the directional coupler  606  are placed on top of each other to form the combined pair of planar coupling slots  602  and  604  that allow energy to be coupled from a cavity  612  inside the feed waveguide  600  to a cavity  614  inside the directional coupler  606 . 
     The directional coupler  606  is in signal communication with a first power amplifier  616  and a second power amplifier  618 . Similar to the 6 th  DC  150  (shown in  FIG. 1C ), the directional coupler  606  is shown to have a “U” shaped waveguide structure that is located adjacent to the feed waveguide  600  and has two bends  620  and  622 . The first bend  620  is located close to the first power amplifier  616  and the second bend  622  is located in the opposite direction along the directional coupler  606  close to the second power amplifier  618 . Specifically, the directional coupler  606  is in signal communication with both power amplifiers  616  and  618  at a directional coupler first end  624  and a directional coupler second end  626 , respectively. In this example, the first bend  620  and second bend  622  are shown to be non-step transition bends, unlike the first bend  166  and second bend  168  shown in  FIG. 1C . As discussed earlier, there are various types of known E-bends that may be utilized in the directional coupler  606  based on the design goals of the AAS  100 . 
     In an example of operation, a first signal  628  (corresponding to the first input signal  184 ) propagates along the feed waveguide  600 . When the first signal  628  reaches the pair of planar coupling slots  602  and  604 , most of the power will continue to propagate along the feed waveguide  600  as shown by a remaining first input signal  630 ; however, a small part of the first signal  628  will be coupled from the feed waveguide  600  to the directional coupler  606  via the pair of planar coupling slots  602  and  604 . This coupled energy is shown as a forward coupled signal  632 . The forward coupled signal  632  is then passed to the first power amplifier  616 , which amplifies the amplitude of the forward coupled signal  632  and passes an amplified first coupled signal  634  to an input feed of a horn antenna (not shown). 
     Similarly, a second signal  636  (corresponding to the second input signal  186 ) is propagating along the feed waveguide  600  in the opposite direction of the first signal  628 . When the second signal  636  reaches the pair of planar coupling slots  602  and  604 , most of the power will continue to propagate along the feed waveguide  600  as shown by the remaining second input signal  638 ; however, a small part of the second signal  636  will be coupled from the feed waveguide  600  to the directional coupler  606  via the pair of planar coupling slots  602  and  604 . This coupled energy is shown as a reverse coupled signal  640 . The reverse coupled signal  640  is then passed to the second power amplifier  618 , which amplifies the amplitude of the reverse coupled signal  640  and passes the amplified second coupled signal  642  to another input feed of the horn antenna. The horn antenna may then utilize the amplified first coupled signal  634  to produce and radiate a RHCP signal and the amplified second coupled signal  642  to produce and radiate a LHCP signal. Alternatively, the horn antenna may utilize the amplified first coupled signal  634  to produce and radiate a horizontal polarized signal and the amplified second coupled signal  642  to produce and radiate a vertical polarized signal. 
     In this example, the pair of planar coupling slots  602  and  604  are spaced apart by a spacing  644  that is approximately a quarter-wavelength. The reason for a quarter-wavelength spacing is well known in the art for directional couplers but may be generally stated as causing the first signal  628  to couple energy from the feed waveguide  600  to the directional coupler  606  in one direction while causing the second signal  636  to couple energy from the feed waveguide  600  to the directional coupler  606  in the opposite direction. The reason for this is that in general coupled signal propagate in both directions, however, the phase delay caused by the planar coupling slots  602  and  604  will cause one of the coupled signals to destructively cancel in one direction while constructively adding phases in another. Specifically, when the first signal  628  reaches the first planar coupling slot  602 , part of the energy (i.e., a coupled signal) from the first signal  628  will couple into the directional coupler  606  via the first planar coupling slot  602 . When the remaining first signal reaches the second planar coupling slot  604 , another part of the energy from the remaining first signal will couple into the directional coupler  606  via the second planar coupling slot  604 . Since these two coupled signals are propagating in the same direction (i.e., towards the first power amplifier  616 ), they are in-phase and constructively add in phase to produce the forward coupled signal  632 . However, any energy coupled in the opposite direction (i.e., towards the second power amplifier  618 ) will destructively cancel out because the coupled signal (produced by the first planar coupling slot  602 ) from the first signal  628  traveling towards the second power amplifier  618  will lead the coupled signal (produced by the second planar coupling slot  604 ) from the remaining first signal by approximately 180 degrees in phase. This results because (taking the first planar coupling slot  602  as a reference) the coupled signal going to the second planar coupling slot  604  has to travel a further quarter-wavelength in the feed waveguide  600 , and then quarter-wavelength back again in the directional coupler  606 . Hence the two coupled signals in the direction of the second power amplifier  618  cancel each other. It is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that in practice a small amount of power (i.e., energy) will reach the second power amplifier  618  because of the imperfections in designing the directional coupler  606 . However, this may be minimized by proper design techniques that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is appreciated that the same coupling process is applicable to the second signal  636  such that the reverse coupled signal  640  is a result of constructive addition, while coupled signals from the second signal  636  in the direction of the first power amplifier  616  are cancelled. 
     In  FIG. 7A , a front-perspective view of an example of an implementation of a horn antenna  700  for use with the AAS  100  is shown in accordance with the present disclosure. In general, the horn antenna  700  is an antenna that consists of a flaring metal waveguide  702  shaped like a horn to direct radio waves in a beam. In this example, the horn antenna  700  includes a first horn input  704  and a second horn input  706  at the feed input  708  of the horn antenna  700 . In this example, the horn antenna  700  includes a septum polarizer  710 . It is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a septum polarizer  710  is a waveguide device that is configured to transform a linearly polarized signal at the first horn input  704  and second horn input  706  into a circularly polarized signal at the output  712  of the waveguide into a horn antenna aperture  714 . The horn antenna  700  then radiates a circularly polarized signal  716  into free space.  FIG. 7B  is a back view of the horn antenna  700  showing the first horn input  704 , second horn input  706 , and the septum polarizer  710 . In this example, the horn antenna  700  is shown to be a septum horn but the horn antenna  700  may also be another type of horn antenna based on the required design parameters of the AAS  100 . Examples of other types of horn antennas that may be utilized as a horn antenna  700  include, for example, a pyramidal horn, conical horn, exponential horn, and ridged horn. 
     In an example of operation, linear signals feed into the first horn input  704  may be transformed into RHCP signals at the output  712  of the waveguide, while linear signals feed into the second horn input  706  may be transformed into LHCP signals at the output  712  of the waveguide or vis-versa. The RHCP or LHCP signals may then be transmitted as the circularly polarized signal  716  into free space. 
     Alternatively, a different horn antenna design may be utilized that produces linear polarization signals, instead of circularly polarized signals, from the linear signals feed into the first horn input (not shown) and the second horn input (not shown). Vertical and horizontal polarized signals, instead of RHCP and LHCP signals, may then be transmitted into free space. In this example an orthomode transducer (“OMT”) may be utilized at each element rather than a septum polarizer. An alternative to utilizing a horn antenna with the septum polarizer  710  is to adjust the relative phase between the first input signal  184  and second input signal  186  in such a way that each directional coupler output runs to a single mode horn antenna (not a septum polarizer fed horn as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B ). In this example, there would be two arrays of horn antennas instead of one (as shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1D ). In this example, a first array of horn antennas excited by the first input signal  184  may run parallel to a second array of horn antennas excited by the second input signal  186 . 
     In  FIG. 8 , a plot  800  of the amplitude in decibels (“dB”)  802  of five example antenna radiation patterns  804 ,  806 ,  808 ,  810 , and  812  versus broadside angle in degrees  814 . The antenna radiation patterns  804 ,  806 ,  808 ,  810 , and  812  are for an example 60 element AAS versus frequency. As an example, the plot of the first antenna radiation pattern  804  is an antenna beam pattern at 19.7 GHz, the plot of the second antenna radiation pattern  806  is an antenna beam pattern at 19.825 GHz, the plot of the third antenna radiation pattern  808  is an antenna beam pattern at 19.95 GHz, the plot of the fourth antenna radiation pattern  810  is an antenna beam pattern at 20.075 GHz, and the plot of the fifth antenna radiation pattern  812  is an antenna beam pattern at 20.2 GHz. 
     In  FIG. 9 , a top view of an example of another implementation of an AAS  900  is shown. As described earlier, in this example, the AAS  900  utilizes a plurality of single mode horn antennas instead of a plurality of horn antennas having a septum as described in the examples shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . In this example, the plurality of single mode horn antennas include two arrays of horn antennas (i.e., a first sub-plurality of horn antennas and a second sub-plurality of horn antennas) that include a first single mode horn antenna of the first array (“1 st  SMHAFA”)  902 , a second single mode horn antenna of the first array (“2 nd  SMHAFA”)  904 , a third single mode horn antenna of the first array (“3 rd  SMHAFA”)  906 , a fourth single mode horn antenna of the first array (“4 th  SMHAFA”)  908 , a fifth single mode horn antenna of the first array (“5 th  SMHAFA”)  910 , a sixth single mode horn antenna of the first array (“6 th  SMHAFA”)  912 , a first single mode horn antenna of the second array (“1 st  SMHASA”)  914 , a second single mode horn antenna of the second array (“2 nd  SMHASA”)  916 , a third single mode horn antenna of the first array (“3 rd  SMHASA”)  918 , a fourth single mode horn antenna of the second array (“4 th  SMHASA”)  920 , a fifth single mode horn antenna of the second array (“5 th  SMHASA”)  922 , and a sixth single mode horn antenna of the second array (“6 th  SMHASA”)  924 . Furthermore, in this example, the 1 st  SMHAFA  902  and 1 st  SMHASA  914  is in signal communication with the 1 st  DC  140 , 2 nd  SMHAFA  904  and 2 nd  SMHASA  916  is in signal communication with the 2 nd  DC  142 , 3 rd  SMHAFA  906  and 3 rd  SMHASA  918  is in signal communication with the 3 rd  DC  144 , 4 th  SMHAFA  908  and 4 th  SMHASA  920  is in signal communication with the 4 th  DC  146 , 5 th  SMHAFA  910  and 5 th  SMHASA  922  is in signal communication with the 5 th  DC  148 , 6 th  SMHAFA  912  and 6 th  SMHASA  924  is in signal communication with the 6 th  DC  150 . The first array of horn antennas (i.e., 1 st  SMHAFA  902 , 2 nd  SMHAFA  904 , 3 rd  SMHAFA  906 , 4 th  SMHAFA  908 , 5 th  SMHAFA  910 , and 6 th  SMHAFA  912 ) are excited by the first input signal  184  and the second array of horn antennas (i.e., 1 st  SMHASA  914 , 2 nd  SMHASA  916 , 3 rd  SMHASA  918 , 4 th  SMHASA  920 , 5 th  SMHASA  922 , and 6 th  SMHASA  924 ) are excited by the second input signal  186 . 
     Turning to  FIGS. 10A and 10B , various views of an example of another implementation of an AAS  1000  are shown in accordance with the present disclosure. In  FIG. 10A , a top view of the example of the implementation of another AAS  1000  is shown. Similar to the previous examples, the AAS  1000  may include a feed waveguide  1002 , a plurality of forward directional couplers, a plurality of reverse directional couplers, and a plurality of power amplifiers. As an example, the plurality of forward directional couplers may include a first forward directional coupler (“1 st  FDC”)  1004 , a second forward directional coupler (“2 nd  FDC”)  1006 , a third forward directional coupler (“3 rd  FDC”)  1008 , a fourth forward directional coupler (“4 th  FDC”)  1010 , a fifth forward directional coupler (“5 th  FDC”)  1012 , and a sixth forward directional coupler (“6 th  FDC”)  1014 . Similarly, the plurality of reverse directional couplers may include a first reverse directional coupler (“1 st  RDC”)  1016 , a second reverse directional coupler (“2 nd  RDC”)  1018 , a third reverse directional coupler (“3 rd  RDC”)  1020 , a fourth reverse directional coupler (“4 th  RDC”)  1022 , a fifth reverse directional coupler (“5 th  RDC”)  1024 , and a sixth reverse directional coupler (“6 th  RDC”)  1026 . Additionally, the plurality of horn antennas may include a first horn antenna (“1 st  HAT”)  1028 , a second horn antenna (“2 nd  HA 2 ”)  1030 , a third horn antenna (“3 rd  HA 2 ”)  1032 , a fourth horn antenna (“4 th  HA 2 ”)  1034 , a fifth horn antenna (“5 th  HA 2 ”)  1036 , and a sixth horn antenna (“6 th  HA 2 ”)  1038 . Moreover, the plurality of power amplifiers may include a first power amplifier (“1 st  PA 2 ”)  1040 , a second power amplifier (“2 nd  PA 2 ”)  1042 , a third power amplifier (“3 rd  PA 2 ”)  1044 , a fourth power amplifier (“4 th  PA 2 ”)  1046 , a fifth power amplifier (“5 th  PA 2 ”)  1048 , a sixth power amplifier (“6 th  PA 2 ”)  1050 , a seventh power amplifier (“7 th  PA 2 ”)  1052 , an eighth power amplifier (“8 th  PA 2 ”)  1054 , a ninth power amplifier (“9 th  PA 2 ”)  1056 , a tenth power amplifier (“10 th  PA 2 ”)  1058 , an eleventh power amplifier (“11 th  PA 2 ”)  1060 , and a twelfth power amplifier (“12 th  PA 2 ”)  1062 . 
     In this example, the feed waveguide  1002  is in signal communication with both the 1 st  FDC  1004 , 2 nd  FDC  1006 , 3 rd  FDC  1008 , 4 th  FDC  1010 , 5 th  FDC  1012 , and 6 th  FDC  1014  and the 1 st  RDC  1016 , 2 nd  RDC  1018 , 3 rd  RDC  1020 , 4 th  RDC  1022 , 5 th  RDC  1024 , and 6 th  RDC  1026 . The forward directional couplers 1 st  FDC  1004 , 2 nd  FDC  1006 , 3 rd  FDC  1008 , 4 th  FDC  1010 , 5 th  FDC  1012 , and 6 th  FDC  1014  are respectively in signal communication with the power amplifiers 1 st  PA 2   1040 , 3 rd  PA 2   1044 , 5 th  PA 2   1048 , 7 th  PA 2   1052 , 9 th  PA 2   1056 , and 11 th  PA 2   1060 . Similarly, the reverse directional couplers 1 st  RDC  1016 , 2 nd  RDC  1018 , 3 rd  RDC  1020 , 4 th  RDC  1022 , 5 th  RDC  1024 , and 6 th  RDC  1026  are respectively in signal communication with the power amplifiers 2 nd  PA 2   1042 , 4 th  PA 2   1046 , 6 th  PA 2   1050 , 8 th  PA 2   1054 , 10 th  PA 2   1058 , and 12 th  PA 2   1062 . The 1 st  HA 2   1028  is in signal communication with the two power amplifiers 1 st  PA 2   1040  and 2 nd  PA 2   1042 . The 2 nd  HA 2   1030  is in signal communication with the 3 rd  PA 2   1044  and 4 th  PA 2   1046 . The 3 rd  HA 2   1032  is in signal communication with the 5 th  PA 2   1048  and 6 th  PA 2   1050 . The 4 th  HA 2   1034  is in signal communication with the 7 th  PA 2   1052  and 8 th  PA 2   1054 . The 5 th  HA 2   1036  is in signal communication with the 9 th  PA 2   1056  and 10 th  PA 2   1058 . Finally, the 6 th  HA 2   1038  is in signal communication with the 11 th  PA 2   1060  and 12 th  PA 2   1062 . 
     The feed waveguide  1002  includes a first feed waveguide input  1064  at a first end  1066  of the feed waveguide  1002  and a second feed waveguide input  1068  at a second end  1070  of the feed waveguide  1002 , where the second end  1070  is at the opposite end of the feed waveguide  1002  with respect to the first end  1066 . The feed waveguide  1002  may be a serpentine or meandering waveguide that includes a plurality of turns (i.e., bends)  1072 ,  1074 ,  1076 ,  1078 ,  1080 ,  1082 , and  1084 . In this example, the physical layout of the feed waveguide  1002  may be described by a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system with coordinate axes X  1085 , Y  1086 , and Z  1087 , where the feed waveguide  1002  is located in a XY-plane  1088  defined by the X  1085  and Y  1086  coordinate axes. Additionally, in this example, the plurality of horn antennas 1 st  HA 2   1028 , 2 nd  HA 2   1030 , 3 rd  HA 2   1032 , 4 th  HA 2   1034 , 5 th  HA 2   1036 , and 6 th  HA 2   1038  are also shown extending in the XY-plane  1088 . 
     Again, it is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, that while only six horn antennas (i.e., 1 st  HA 2   1028 , 2 nd  HA 2   1030 , 3 rd  HA 2   1032 , 4 th  HA 2   1034 , 5 th  HA 2   1036 , and 6 th  HA 2   1038 ), seven visible turns (i.e., bends  1072 ,  1074 ,  1076 ,  1078 ,  1080 ,  1082 , and  1084 ), and six non-visible turns (i.e., bends that are covered by the plurality of directional couplers) in the feed waveguide  1002  are shown, this is for illustration purposes only and AAS  1000  may include any even number of directional couplers, horn antennas, and power amplifiers with a corresponding number of turns needed to feed the plurality of directional couplers. As another example, the AAS  1000  may include 120 directional couplers and 60 horn antennas, and 121 turns in the feed waveguide  1002 . It is again appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the number of horn antennas determines the numbers directional couplers, and turns in the feed waveguide  102 . Again, each horn antenna of the plurality of horn antennas (i.e., 1 st  HA 2   1028 , 2 nd  HA 2   1030 , 3 rd  HA 2   1032 , 4 th  HA 2   1034 , 5 th  HA 2   1036 , and 6 th  HA 21038 ) act as an individual radiating element of the AAS  1000 . In operation, each horn antenna&#39;s individual radiation pattern typically varies in amplitude and phase from each other horn antenna&#39;s radiation pattern. The amplitude of the radiation pattern for each horn antenna is controlled by a power amplifier that controls the amplitude of the excitation current of the horn antenna. Similarly, the phase of the radiation pattern of each horn antenna is determined by the corresponding delayed phase caused by the feed waveguide  1002  in feeding the directional couplers that correspond to the horn antenna. 
     In  FIG. 10B , a side view of the implementation of an AAS  1000  is shown. For reference, the physical layout of the AAS  1000  in this side view is shown within a XZ-plane  1089  defined by the X  1085  and Z  1087  coordinate axes with the Y  1086  coordinate axis directed in a direction that is both perpendicular and out of the XZ-plane  1089 . In this side view, the reverse directional coupler (i.e., 6 th  RDC  1026 ) is shown to be a rectangular waveguide structure that is located adjacent to the feed waveguide  1002 . Specifically, the 6 th  RDC  1026  is in signal communication with the 6 th  HA 2   1038  through the 12 th  PA 2   1062 . 
     In an example of operation, when a first input signal  1090  in injected into the first feed waveguide input  1064 , the first input signal  1090  will travel along the feed waveguide  1002  and couple a first portion of its energy to the 1 st  FDC, which will pass this first coupled output signal to the 1 st  HA 2  via the 1 st  PA 2 . The remaining portion of the first input signal  1090  will then travel along the feed waveguide  1002  to the 1 st  RDC  1016  where it will not couple any energy because the 1 st  RDC  1016  is designed to only couple signals that are traveling in the opposite direction. As such, the remaining portion of the first input signal  1090  will continue to travel along the feed waveguide  1002  to the 2 nd  FDC  1006  and couple a second portion of its energy to the 2 nd  FDC  1006 , which will pass this second coupled output signal to the 2 nd  HA 2   1030  via the 3 rd  PA 2   1044 . The remaining portion of the first input signal  1090  will then travel along the feed waveguide  1002  to the 2 nd  RDC  1018  where it will not couple any energy because the 2 nd  RDC  1018  is designed to only couple signals that are traveling in the opposite direction. As such, the remaining portion of the first input signal  1090  will continue to travel along the feed waveguide  1002  to the 3 rd  FDC  1008  and couple a third portion of its energy to the 3 rd  FDC  1008 , which will pass this third coupled output signal to the 3 rd  HA 2   1032  via the 5 th  PA 2   1048 . The remaining portion of the first input signal  1090  will then travel along the feed waveguide  1002  to the 3 rd  RDC  1020  where it will not couple any energy because the 3 rd  RDC  1020  is designed to only couple signals that are traveling in the opposite direction. As such, the remaining portion of the first input signal  1090  will continue to travel along the feed waveguide  1002  to the forward directional coupler  1010  and couple a fourth portion of its energy to the 4 th  FDC  1010 , which will pass this fourth coupled output signal to the 4 th  HA 2   1034  via the 7 th  PA 2   1052 . The remaining portion of the first input signal  1090  will then travel along the feed waveguide  1002  to the 4 th  RDC  1022  where it will not couple any energy because the 4 th  RDC  1022  is designed to only couple signals that are traveling in the opposite direction. As such, the remaining portion of the first input signal  1090  will continue to travel along the feed waveguide  1002  to the 5 th  FDC  1012  and couple a fifth portion of its energy to the 5 th  FDC  1012 , which will pass this fifth coupled output signal to the 5 th  HA 2   1036  via the 9 th  PA 2   1056 . The remaining portion of the first input signal  1090  will then travel along the feed waveguide  1002  to the 5 th  RDC  1024  where it will not couple any energy because the 5 th  RDC  1024  is designed to only couple signals that are traveling in the opposite direction. As such, the remaining portion of the first input signal  1090  will continue to travel along the feed waveguide  1002  to the 6 th  FDC  1014  and couple a sixth portion of its energy to the 6 th  FDC  1014 , which will pass this sixth coupled output signal to the 6 th  HA 2   1038  via the 11 th  PA 2   1060 . The remaining portion of the first input signal  1090  will then travel along the feed waveguide  1002  to the 6 th  RDC  1026  where it will not couple any energy because the 6 th  RDC  1026  is designed to only couple signals that are traveling in the opposite direction. As such, the remaining portion of the first input signal  1090  will continue to travel along the feed waveguide  1002  and output, as the first remaining signal  1092 , via the second feed waveguide input  1068 . It is appreciated that by optimizing the design of forward directional couplers (i.e., 1 st  FDC  1004 , 2 nd  FDC  1006 , 3 rd  FDC  1008 , 4 th  FDC  1010 , 5 th  FDC  1012 , and 6 th  FDC  1014 ), the first remaining signal  1092  may be reduced to close to or approximately zero. 
     Similarly, when a second input signal  1094  is in injected into the second feed waveguide input  1068 , the second input signal  1094  will travel along the feed waveguide  1002  (in the opposite direction of the first input signal  1090 ) and couple a first portion of its energy to the 6 th  RDC  1026 , which will pass this first coupled output signal to the 6 th  HA 2   1038  via the 12 th  PA 2   1062 . The remaining portion of the second input signal  1094  will then travel along the feed waveguide  1002  to the 6 th  FDC  1014  where it will not couple any energy because the 6 th  FDC  1014  is designed to only couple signals that are traveling in the opposite direction (i.e., the direction of the first input signal  1090 ). As such, the remaining portion of the second input signal  1094  will continue to travel along the feed waveguide  1002  to the 5 th  RDC  1024  and couple a second portion of its energy to the 5 th  RDC  1024 , which will pass this second coupled output signal to the 5 th  HA 2   1036  via the 10 th  PA 2   1058 . The remaining portion of the second input signal  1094  will then travel along the feed waveguide  1002  to the 5 th  FDC  1012  where it will not couple any energy because the 5 th  FDC  1012  is designed to only couple signals that are traveling in the opposite direction. As such, the remaining portion of the second input signal  1094  will continue to travel along the feed waveguide  1002  to the 4 th  RDC  1022  and couple a third portion of its energy to the 4 th  RDC  1022 , which will pass this third coupled output signal to the 4 th  HA 2   1034  via the 8 th  PA 2   1054 . The remaining portion of the second input signal  1094  will then travel along the feed waveguide  1002  to the 4 th  FDC  1010  where it will not couple any energy because the 4 th  FDC  1010  is designed to only couple signals that are traveling in the opposite direction. As such, the remaining portion of the second input signal  1094  will continue to travel along the feed waveguide  1002  to the 3 rd  RDC  1020  and couple a fourth portion of its energy to 3 rd  RDC  1020 , which will pass this fourth coupled output signal to the 3 rd  HA 2   1032  via the 6 th  PA 2   1050 . The remaining portion of the second input signal  1094  will then travel along the feed waveguide  1002  to the 3 rd  FDC  1008  where it will not couple any energy because the 3 rd  FDC  1008  is designed to only couple signals that are traveling in the opposite direction. As such, the remaining portion of the second input signal  1094  will continue to travel along the feed waveguide  1002  to the 2 nd  RDC  1018  and couple a fifth portion of its energy to the 2 nd  RDC  1018 , which will pass this fifth coupled output signal to the 5 th  HA 2   1036  via the 4 th  PA 2   1046 . The remaining portion of the second input signal  1094  will then travel along the feed waveguide  1002  to the 2 nd  FDC  1006  where it will not couple any energy because the 2 nd  FDC  1006  is designed to only couple signals that are traveling in the opposite direction. As such, the remaining portion of the second input signal  1094  will continue to travel along the feed waveguide  1002  to the 1 st  RDC  1016  and couple a sixth portion of its energy to the 1 st  RDC  1016 , which will pass this sixth coupled output signal to the 1 st  HA 2   1028  via the 2 nd  PA 2   1042 . The remaining portion of the second input signal  1094  will then travel along the feed waveguide  1002  to the 1 st  FDC  1004  where it will not couple any energy because the 1 st  FDC  1004  is designed to only couple signals that are traveling in the opposite direction. As such, the remaining portion of the second input signal  1094  will continue to travel along the feed waveguide  1002  and output, as the second remaining signal  1096 , via the first feed waveguide input  1064 . 
     Again, it is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that by optimizing the design of reverse directional couplers (i.e., 1 st  RDC  1016 , 2 nd  RDC  1018 , 3 rd  RDC  1020 , 4 th  RDC  1022 , 5 th  RDC  1024 , and 6 th  RDC  1026 ), the second remaining signal  1096  may be reduced to close to or approximately zero. It is also appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a first circulator, or other isolation device, (not shown) may be connected to the first end  1066  to isolate the first input signal  1090  from the outputted second remaining signal  1096  and a second circulator, or other isolation device, (not shown) may be connected to the second end  1070  to isolate the second input signal  1094  from the outputted first remaining signal  1092 . It is also appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the amount of coupled energy from the feed waveguide  1002  to the respective directional couplers (i.e., 1 st  FDC  1004 , 2 nd  FDC  1006 , 3 rd  FDC  1008 , 4 th  FDC  1010 , 5 th  FDC  1012 , 6 th  FDC  1014 , 1 st  RDC  1016 , 2 nd  RDC  1018 , 3 rd  RDC  1020 , 4 th  RDC  1022 , 5 th  RDC  1024 , and 6 th  RDC  1026 ) is determined by predetermined design choices that will yield the desired radiation antenna pattern of the AAS  1000 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 11 , a top view of an example of an implementation of the feed waveguide  1002  (of  FIGS. 10A and 10B ) is shown in accordance with the present disclosure. The feed waveguide  1002  includes a broad-wall  1100  and a plurality of planar coupling slots  1102  that are organized into pairs of planar coupling slots  1104 ,  1106 ,  1108 ,  1110 ,  1112 ,  1114 ,  1116 ,  1118 ,  1120 ,  1122 ,  1124 ,  1126 ,  1128 , and  1130 , respectively. 
     In this example, the planar coupling slots are cut into the broad-wall  1100  of the feed waveguide  1002  and each pair of planar coupling slots  1104 ,  1106 ,  1108 ,  1110 ,  1112 ,  1114 ,  1116 ,  1118 ,  1120 ,  1122 ,  1124 ,  1126 ,  1128 , and  1130  have a spacing between pairs of planar coupling slots that is approximately equal to a quarter-wavelength of the operating wavelength of the AAS  1000 . Also in this example, the feed waveguide  1002  may include thirteen (13) H-bends (i.e., bends  1072 ,  1074 ,  1076 ,  1078 ,  1080 ,  1082 ,  1084 , and bends  1132 ,  1134 ,  1136 ,  1138 ,  1140 , and  1142 ). Again, the feed waveguide  1002  may be constructed of a conductive material such as metal and defines a rectangular tube that that has an internal cavity running the length  1144  of the feed waveguide  1002  that may be filled with air, dielectric material, or both. It is noted that unlike the feed waveguide  102  (shown in  FIGS. 1A, 3, 5, and 9 ), the feed waveguide  1002  has non-continuous turns (i.e., bends  1072 ,  1074 ,  1076 ,  1078 ,  1080 ,  1082 ,  1084 ,  1132 ,  1134 ,  1136 ,  1138 ,  1140 , and  1142  and twelve (12) common narrow-walls between the straight paths of the feed waveguide  1002 ; however, it is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the feed waveguide  1002  may be designed to couple energy to the directional couplers (i.e., 1 st  FDC  1004 , 2 nd  FDC  1006 , 3 rd  FDC  1008 , 4 th  FDC  1010 , 5 th  FDC  1012 , 6 th  FDC  1014 , 1 st  RDC  1016 , 2 nd  RDC  1018 , 3 rd  RDC  1020 , 4 th  RDC  1022 , 5 th  RDC  1024 , and 6 th  RDC  1026 ) in substantially the same way that the feed waveguide  102  may be designed to couple energy to the directional couplers (i.e., 1 st  DC  140 , 2 nd  DC  142 , 3 rd  DC  144 , 4 th  DC  146 , 5 th  DC  148 , and 5 th  DC  150 ) utilizing the principles described previously. 
     The difference between the first implementation of the AAS  100  and AAS  900  (shown in  FIGS. 1-6 and 9 ) and the second implementation of the AAS  1000  is that the second implementation of the AAS  1000  has twice as many directional couplers. In this example of the second implementation, the directional couplers (i.e., 1 st  FDC  1004 , 2 nd  FDC  1006 , 3 rd  FDC  1008 , 4 th  FDC  1010 , 5 th  FDC  1012 , 6 th  FDC  1014 , 1 st  RDC  1016 , 2 nd  RDC  1018 , 3 rd  RDC  1020 , 4 th  RDC  1022 , 5 th  RDC  1024 , and 6 th  RDC  1026 ) can only pass coupled signals to the horn antennas (i.e., 1 st  HA 2   1028 , 2 nd  HA 2   1030 , 3 rd  HA 2   1032 , 4 th  HA 2   1034 , 5 th  HA 2   1036 , and 6 th  HA 2   1038 ) if the traveling input signal in the feed waveguide  1002  is traveling in the correct direction. As such, the directional couplers (i.e., 1 st  FDC  1004 , 2 nd  FDC  1006 , 3 rd  FDC  1008 , 4 th  FDC  1010 , 5 th  FDC  1012 , 6 th  FDC  1014 ) that are configured to pass the first input signal  1090  to the horn antennas (i.e., 1 st  HA 2   1028 , 2 nd  HA 2   1030 , 3 rd  HA 2   1032 , 4 th  HA 2   1034 , 5 th  HA 2   1036 , and 6 th  HA 2   1038 ) are referred to as “forward directional couplers,” while the directional couplers (i.e., 1 st  RDC  1016 , 2 nd  RDC  1018 , 3 rd  RDC  1020 , 4 th  RDC  1022 , 5 th  RDC  1024 , and 6 th  RDC  1026 ) that are configured to pass the second input signal  1094  to the horn antennas (i.e., 1 st  HA 2   1028 , 2 nd  HA 2   1030 , 3 rd  HA 2   1032 , 4 th  HA 2   1034 , 5 th  HA 2   1036 , and 6 th  HA 2   1038 ) are referred to as “reverse directional couplers.” 
     In the first implementation, each directional coupler (i.e., 1 st  DC  140 , 2 nd  DC  142 , 3 rd  DC  144 , 4 th  DC  146 , 5 th  DC  148 , and 5 th  DC  150 ) is designed to couple signals from both the first input signal  184  and second input signal  186  irrespective of the direction of travel. Both coupled signals are passed to the respective horn antenna (i.e., 1 st  HA  104 , 2 nd  HA  106 , 3 rd  HA  108 , 4 th  HA  110 , 5 th  HA  112 , and 6 th  HA  114 ) via different feeds paths from the directional coupler to the horn antenna. 
     It is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the meandering waveguide shown (i.e., feed waveguide  102  or feed waveguide  1002 ) in  FIGS. 1-6, 9, 10A, 10B, and 11  may be operated in a dual mode fashion themselves where the ends of the meandering waveguides may be fed by feeder OMTs in order to launch a vertically or horizontally polarized waves into the meandering waveguide itself. These vertically and horizontally polarized waves may then be coupled by the respective directional couplers into the different horns to produce the designed polarizations outputs at the horns. 
     Turning to  FIG. 12A , a top view is shown of an example of another implementation of the AAS  1200  in accordance with the present disclosure.  FIG. 12B  is an exploded top view of the example of the implementation of the AAS  1200  shown in  FIG. 12A  in accordance with the present disclosure.  FIG. 12C  is another exploded top view of the example of the implementation of the AAS  1200  shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B  in accordance with the present disclosure. In  FIG. 12D , a side view of the example of the implementation of the AAS  1200  shown if  FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C  in accordance with the present disclosure.  FIG. 12E  is a front view of the example of the implementation of the AAS  1200  shown in  FIGS. 12A through 12D  in accordance with the present disclosure. In this example, the AAS  1200  does not utilize a meandering feed waveguide (as described in  FIGS. 1 through 11 ) but instead a straight feed waveguide  1202 , a plurality of cross-couplers that include, for example, first cross-coupler (“1 st  CC”)  1204 , second cross-coupler (“2 nd  CC”)  1206 , third cross-coupler (“3 rd  CC”)  1208 , fourth cross-coupler (“4 th  CC”)  1210 , fifth cross-coupler (“5 th  CC”)  1112 , and sixth cross-coupler (“6 th  CC”)  1214 , and plurality of horn antennas that include, for example, first horn antenna (“1 st  HA 3 ”)  1216 , second horn antenna (“2 nd  HA 3 ”)  1218 , third horn antenna (“3 rd  HA 3 ”)  1220 , fourth horn antenna (“4 th  HA 3 ”)  1222 , fifth horn antenna (“5 th  HA 3 ”)  1224 , and sixth horn antenna (“6 th  HA 3 ”)  1226 . The straight feed waveguide  1202  has a feed waveguide wall  1228 , feed waveguide length  1230 , a first feed waveguide input  1232  at a first end  1234  of the straight feed waveguide  1202 , and a second feed waveguide input  1236  at a second end  1238  of the straight feed waveguide  1202 . The plurality of cross-couplers (i.e., 1 st  CC  1204 , 2 nd  CC  1206 , 3 rd  CC  1208 , 4 th  CC  1210 , 5 th  CC  1112 , and 6 th  CC  1214 ) are in signal communication with the straight feed waveguide  1202  and the plurality of horn antennas (i.e., 1 st  HA 3   1216 , 2 nd  HA 3   1218 , 3 rd  HA 3   1220 , 4 th  HA 3   1222 , 5 th  HA 3   1224 , and 6 th  HA 3   1226 ) are in signal communication with the 1 st  CC  1204 , 2 nd  CC  1206 , 3 rd  CC  1208 , 4 th  CC  1210 , 5 th  CC  1112 , and 6 th  CC  1214 , where each horn antenna (i.e., 1 st  HA 3   1216 , 2 nd  HA 3   1218 , 3 rd  HA 3   1220 , 4 th  HA 3   1222 , 5 th  HA 3   1224 , and 6 th  HA 3   1226 ) is in signal communication with a corresponding cross-coupler of the plurality of cross-couplers (i.e., 1 st  CC  1204 , 2 nd  CC  1206 , 3 rd  CC  1208 , 4 th  CC  1210 , 5 th  CC  1212 , and 6 th  CC  1214 ). Similar to the example shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1D , the straight feed waveguide  1202  is configured to receive a first input signal  1240  at the first feed waveguide input  1232  and a second input signal  1242  at the second feed waveguide input  1236 . Each horn antenna (i.e., 1 st  HA 3   1216 , 2 nd  HA 3   1218 , 3 rd  HA 3   1220 , 4 th  HA 3   1222 , 5 th  HA 3   1224 , and 6 th  HA 3   1226 ) is configured to produce a first polarized signal from the received first input signal  1240  and a second polarized signal from the received second input signal  1242 ; and the first polarized signal is cross polarized with the second polarized signal. 
     In  FIG. 12B , a top view of the 1 st  CC  1204 , 2 nd  CC  1206 , 3 rd  CC  1208 , 4 th  CC  1210 , 5 th  CC  1112 , and 6 th  CC  1214  illustrates that each cross-coupler may again be a “U” shaped waveguide structure that is located adjacent to the straight feed waveguide  1202  and has two bends (such as, bends  1244  and  1246  on 1 st  CC  1204 ). Similar to the previous examples, in this example, the physical layout of the feed waveguide  1202  may be described by three-dimensional Cartesian coordinates with coordinate axes X  1247 , Y  1248 , and Z  1249 , where the feed waveguide  1202  is located in an XY-plane  1250  defined by the X  1247  and Y  1248  coordinate axes. Unlike the directional couplers shown in the examples of  FIGS. 1 through 11 , the cross-couplers (i.e., 1 st  CC  1204 , 2 nd  CC  1206 , 3 rd  CC  1208 , 4 th  CC  1210 , 5 th  CC  1212 , and 6 th  CC  1214 ) are directional couples that are physically perpendicular (i.e., along the X-axis  1247 ) to the feed waveguide length  1230  that is along the Y-axis  1248 . In general, the cross-couplers (i.e., 1 st  CC  1204 , 2 nd  CC  1206 , 3 rd  CC  1208 , 4 th  CC  1210 , 5 th  CC  1212 , and 6 th  CC  1214 ), also known as “cross-guide couplers,” may be constructed to include two rectangular-section waveguides disposed at right angles with their broad walls juxtaposed to provide one common wall through which one or more apertures couple electromagnetic energy between the waveguides of the straight feed waveguide  1202  and the cross-couplers. These apertures (herein generally referred to as “planar coupling slots”) may be spaced along a diagonal to the common wall, in diagonally opposite quadrants of the common wall, and may take the form of slots, crossed slots, circular orifices or other form. In these types of cross-couplers the electromagnetic wave travelling along the straight feed waveguide  1202  (i.e., either the first input signal  1240  or received second input signal  1242 ) is coupled through the common wall apertures into only one waveguide arm of the cross-coupled waveguide, so that there is an electromagnetic wave induced into the coupled waveguide arm but not into the other waveguide arm, generally known as the isolated waveguide arm. This generally describes the directivity of the cross-coupler which is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is noted that the cross-coupler do not have perfect isolation so some small amount of energy may be leaked into the isolated waveguide arm. However, it is appreciated by of ordinary skill in the art that the cross-couplers may be designed such that the amount of isolation at the isolated waveguide arms is acceptable for a particular use. 
     In this example, each cross-coupler includes a first end and second end such that the cross-couplers (1 st  CC  1204 , 2 nd  CC  1206 , 3 rd  CC  1208 , 4 th  CC  1210 , 5 th  CC  1212 , and 6 th  CC  1214 ) include a first end  1252  of the 1 st  CC  1204 , a first end  1254  of the 2 nd  CC  1206 , a first end  1256  of the 3 rd  CC  1208 , a first end  1258  of the 4 th  CC  1210 , a first end  1260  of the 5 th  CC  1212 , and a first end  1262  of the 6 th  CC  1214 , respectively, and a second end  1264  of the 1 st  CC  1204 , a second end  1266  of the 2 nd  CC  1206 , a second end  1268  of the 3 rd  CC  1208 , a second end  1270  of the 4 th  CC  1210 , a second end  1272  of the 5 th  CC  1212 , and a second end  1274  of the 6 th  CC  1214 , respectively. The first ends  1252 ,  1254 ,  1256 ,  1258 ,  1260 , and  1262  and second ends  1264 ,  1266 ,  1268 ,  1270 ,  1272 , and  1274  of the cross-couplers (i.e., 1 st  CC  1204 , 2 nd  CC  1206 , 3 rd  CC  1208 , 4 th  CC  1210 , 5 th  CC  1212 , and 6 th  CC  1214 ) are directed in a direction that is along the Z  1249  axis. Again, the bent waveguide structure of the first bend  1244  and second bend  1246  of the 6 th  CC  1214  is an E-bend that is generally designed to minimize reflections in the waveguide of the cross-coupler  1104 . The reason for utilizing a bent waveguide structure for the 6 th  CC  1214  is to allow the 6 th  HA 3   1226  to radiate in a normal (i.e., perpendicular) direction along the Z-axis  1248  away from the XY-plane  1250  that defines the physical layout structure of the straight feed waveguide  1202 . It is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the 6 th  CC  1214  may also be non-bent if the 6 th  HA 3   1226  is designed to radiate in a direction parallel to the XY-plane  1250 . 
     In this example, the AAS  1200  also includes a plurality of power amplifiers in signal communication with the plurality of cross-couplers (i.e., 1 st  CC  1204 , 2 nd  CC  1206 , 3 rd  CC  1208 , 4 th  CC  1210 , 5 th  CC  1212 , and 6 th  CC  1214 ) and horn antennas (i.e., 1 st  HA 3   1216 , 2 nd  HA 3   1218 , 3 rd  HA 3   1220 , 4 th  HA 3   1222 , 5 th  HA 3   1224 , and 6 th  HA 3   1226 ). In this example, the plurality of power amplifiers includes a first power amplifier (“1 st  PA 3 ”)  1276 , a second power amplifier (“2 nd  PA 3 ”)  1277 , a third power amplifier (“3 rd  PA 3 ”)  1278 , a fourth power amplifier (“4 th  PA 3 ”)  1279 , a fifth power amplifier (“5 th  PA 3 ”)  1280 , a sixth power amplifier (“6 th  PA 3 ”)  1281 , and a seventh power amplifier (“7 th  PA 3 ”)  1282 . In this example, the 1 st  PA 3   1276  is in signal communication with the second end  1274  of the 6 th  CC  1214  and the 6 th  HA 3   1226  and the 2 nd  PA 3   1277  is in signal communication with the first end  1262  of the 6 th  CC  1214  and the 6 th  HA 3   1226 . In this example there are a total of twelve (12) power amplifiers but because of the example views shown, only the 1 st  PA 3   1276 , 2 nd  PA 3   1277 , 3 rd  PA 3   1278 , 4 th  PA 3   1279 , 5 th  PA 3   1280 , 6 th  PA 3   1281 , and the 7 th  PA 3   1282  are shown visible in  FIGS. 12D and 12E  as a result of the remaining power amplifiers being visually blocked. It is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that while only one combination of 6 th  CC  1214 , 6 th  HA 3   1226 , 1 st  PA 3   1276 , 2 nd  PA 3   1277 , and straight feed waveguide  1202  is shown, this combination is also representative of the other cross-couplers, plurality of power amplifiers, and horn antennas. 
     Turning to  FIG. 12C , a plurality of pairs of planar coupling slots  1283 ,  1284 ,  1285 ,  1286 ,  1287 , and  1288  are shown feed cut into the waveguide wall  1228  along the length  1230  of the straight feed waveguide  1202 . In this example, the planar coupling slots are cut into the feed waveguide wall  1228  of the straight feed waveguide  1202  and each pair of planar coupling slots (of the plurality of pairs of planar coupling slots  1283 ,  1284 ,  1285 ,  1286 ,  1287 , and  1288 ) have a pair of planar coupling slots that are spaced  1290  approximately a quarter-wavelength apart. The planar coupling slots are radiating slots that radiate energy out from the straight feed waveguide  1202 . In this example, while  FIG. 11C  shows each planar coupling slots of the plurality of pairs of planar coupling slots  1283 ,  1284 ,  1285 ,  1286 ,  1287 , and  1288  as crossed slots, it is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that each planar coupling slot may have a geometry that is chosen as a slot, crossed-slot, circular orifices, or other type of aperture capable of electromagnetically coupling energy from the straight feed waveguide  1202  to the plurality of pairs of planar coupling slots  1283 ,  1284 ,  1285 ,  1286 ,  1287 , and  1288 . 
     Similar to the previous examples, each cross-coupler (i.e., 1 st  CC  1204 , 2 nd  CC  1206 , 3 rd  CC  1208 , 4 th  CC  1210 , 5 th  CC  1212 , and 6 th  CC  1214 ) utilizes a pair of planar coupling slots from the plurality of pair of planar coupling slots  1283 ,  1284 ,  1285 ,  1286 ,  1287 , and  1288  located and cut into the broad-wall of the cross-couplers (i.e., 1 st  CC  1204 , 2 nd  CC  1206 , 3 rd  CC  1208 , 4 th  CC  1210 , 5 th  CC  1212 , and 6 t1  CC  1214 ) and the corresponding portion of the broad-wall (i.e., the feed waveguide wall  1228 ) of the straight feed waveguide  1202  that is adjacent to the broad-wall of the respective the 1 st  CC  1204 , 2 nd  CC  1206 , 3 rd  CC  1208 , 4 th  CC  1210 , 5 th  CC  1212 , and 6 th  CC  1214 . 
     In an example of operation, the feed waveguide  1202  acts as traveling wave straight line array feeding the 1 st  CC  1204 , 2 nd  CC  1206 , 3 rd  CC  1208 , 4 th  CC  1210 , 5 th  CC  1212 , and 6 th  CC  1214 . The AAS  1200  receives the first input signal  1240  and the second input signal  1242 . Both the first input signal  1240  and second input signal  1242  may be TE 10 , or TE 01 , mode propagated signals. The first input signal  1240  is input into the first feed waveguide input  1232  at the first end  1234  of the straight feed waveguide  1202  and the second input signal  1242  is input into the second feed waveguide input  1236  at the second end  1238  of the straight feed waveguide  1202 . In this example, both the first input signal  1240  and second input signal  1242  propagate along the direction of the Y  1248  coordinate axis into opposite ends of the straight feed waveguide  1202 . 
     Once in the straight feed waveguide  1202 , the first input signal  1240  and second input signal  1242  propagate along the straight feed waveguide  1202  in opposite directions coupling parts of their respective energies into the different cross-couplers (i.e., 1 st  CC  1204 , 2 nd  CC  1206 , 3 rd  CC  1208 , 4 th  CC  1210 , 5 th  CC  1212 , and 6 th  CC  1214 ). Since the first input signal  1240  and second input signal  1242  are traveling wave signals that are travelling in opposite directions along the feed waveguide length  1230  of the straight feed waveguide  1202 , they will have a phase delay of about 180 degrees relative to each other at any given point within the straight feed waveguide  1202 . In general, the feed waveguide length  1230  of the straight feed waveguide  1202  is several wavelengths long (of the operating wavelength of the first input signal  1240  and second input signal  1242 ) so as to be long enough to create a length (not shown) between the pairs of planar coupling slots  1283 ,  1284 ,  1285 ,  1286 ,  1287 , and  1288  that is also multiple wavelengths of the operating wavelengths of the first input signal  1240  and second input signal  1242 . The reason for this length between pairs of planar coupling slots  1283 ,  1284 ,  1285 ,  1286 ,  1287 , and  1288  is to create a phase increment needed for beam steering the antenna beam (not shown) of the AAS  1200  as a function of frequency. As an example, the length between the pairs of planar coupling slots  1283 ,  1284 ,  1285 ,  1286 ,  1287 , and  1288  may be between 5 to 7 wavelengths long. It is appreciated by those or ordinary skill in the art that in this example, the operation frequency of the first input signal  1240  and second input signal  1242  may be much higher than the operating frequencies described with relation to the examples shown in  FIGS. 1 through 11 . For example, the operating frequency of the first input signal  1240  and second input signal  1242  may be within the Q-band range of frequencies (i.e., between approximately 33 to 50 Ghz). 
     Similar to the previous examples, in this example, as the first input signal  1240  travels from the first end  1234  to the second end  1238  of the straight feed waveguide  1202 , the first input signal  1240  successively couples a portion of its energy to each cross-coupler (i.e., 1 st  CC  1204 , 2 nd  CC  1206 , 3 rd  CC  1208 , 4 th  CC  1210 , 5 th  CC  1212 , and 6 th  CC  1214 ) until the a first remaining signal  1292  of the remaining energy (if any) is outputted from the second end  1238  of the straight feed waveguide  1202 . Similarly, as the second input signal  1242  travels in the opposite direction from the second end  1238  to the first end  1234  of the straight feed waveguide  1202 , the second input signal  1242  successively couples a portion of its energy to each cross-coupler (i.e., 1 st  CC  1204 , 2 nd  CC  1206 , 3 rd  CC  1208 , 4 th  CC  1210 , 5 th  CC  1212 , and 6 th  CC  1214 ) until a second remaining signal  1294  of the remaining energy (if any) of the second input signal  1242  is outputted from the first end  1234  of the straight feed waveguide  1202 . It is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that by optimizing the design of the cross-coupler i.e., 1 st  CC  1204 , 2 nd  CC  1206 , 3 rd  CC  1208 , 4 th  CC  1210 , 5 th  CC  1212 , and 6 th  CC  1214 ), the first remaining signal  1292  and second remaining signal  1294  both may be reduced to close to or approximately zero. 
     Specifically, in this example, when the first input signal  1240  travels along the straight feed waveguide  1202 , it will couple a first portion of it energy to the 1 st  CC  1204 , which will pass this first coupled output signal to the 1 st  HA 3   1216 . The remaining portion of the first input signal  1240  will then travel along the straight feed waveguide  1202  to the 2 nd  CC  1206  where it will couple another portion of it energy to the 2 nd  CC  1206 , which will pass this second coupled output signal to the 2 nd  HA 3   1218 . This process will continue such that another portion of the first input signal  1240  will be coupled to the 3 rd  CC  1208 , 4 th  CC  1210 , 5 th  CC  1212 , and 6 th  CC  1214  and passed to the 3 rd  HA 3   1220 , 4 th  HA 3   1222 , 5 th  HA 3   1224 , and 6 th  HA 3   1226 , respectively. The remaining portion of the first input signal  1240  will then be output from the second end  1238  of the straight feed waveguide  1202  as the first remaining signal  1292 . Similarly, when the second input signal  1242  travels along the straight feed waveguide  1202 , it will couple a first portion of it energy to the 6 th  CC  1214 , which will pass this first coupled output signal to the 6 th  HA 3   1226 . The remaining portion of second input signal  1242  will then travel along the straight feed waveguide  1202  to the 5 th  CC  1212  where it will couple another portion of its energy to the 5 th  CC  1212 , which will pass this second coupled output signal to the 5 th  HA 3   1224 . This process will continue such that another portion of the second input signal  1242  will be coupled to cross-couplers 4 th  CC  1210 , 3 rd  CC  1208 , 2 nd  CC  1206 , and 1 st  CC  1204  and passed to the 4 th  HA 3   1222 , 3 rd  HA 3   1220 , 2 nd  HA 3   1218 , and 1 st  HA 3   1216 , respectively. The remaining portion of the second input signal  1242  will then be output from the first end  1234  of the straight feed waveguide  1202  as the second remaining signal  1294 . 
     Again, it is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a first circulator, or other isolation device, (not shown) may be connected to the first end  1234  to isolate the first input signal  1240  from the outputted second remaining signal  1294  and a second circulator, or other isolation device, (not shown) may be connected to the second end  1238  to isolate the second input signal  1242  from the outputted first remaining signal  1292 . It is also appreciated that the amount of coupled energy from the straight feed waveguide  1202  to the respective the 1 st  CC  1204 , 2 nd  CC  1206 , 3 rd  CC  1208 , 4 th  CC  1210 , 5 th  CC  1212 , and 6 th  CC  1214  is determined by predetermined design choices that will yield the desired radiation antenna pattern of the AAS  1200 . It is further appreciated that the feed waveguide  1202  is constructed of a conductive material such as metal and defines a rectangular tube that that has an internal cavity running the feed waveguide length  1230  of the straight feed waveguide  1202  that may be filled with air, dielectric material, or both. 
     In summary, in this example, an AAS  1200  for directing and steering an antenna beam is disclosed. The AAS  1200  includes: a straight feed waveguide  1202  having a feed waveguide wall  1228 , a feed waveguide length  1230 , a first feed waveguide input  1232  at a first end  1234  of the straight feed waveguide  1202 , and a second feed waveguide input  1236  at a second end  1238  of the straight feed waveguide  1202 ; a plurality of cross-couplers (i.e., 1 st  CC  1204 , 2 nd  CC  1206 , 3 rd  CC  1208 , 4 th  CC  1210 , 5 th  CC  1212 , and 6 th  CC  1214 ) in signal communication with the straight feed waveguide  1202 ; and a plurality of horn antennas (i.e., 1 st  HA 3   1216 , 2 nd  HA 3   1218 , 3 rd  HA 3   1220 , 4 th  HA 3   1222 , 5 th  HA 3   1224 , and 6 th  HA 3   1226 ) in signal communication with the plurality of cross-couplers (i.e., 1 st  CC  1204 , 2 nd  CC  1206 , 3 rd  CC  1208 , 4 th  CC  1210 , 5 th  CC  1212 , and 6 th  CC  1214 ). The straight feed waveguide  1202  is configured to receive a first input signal  1240  at the first feed waveguide input  1232  and a second input signal  1242  at the second feed waveguide input  1236 . Each horn antenna is in signal communication with a corresponding cross-coupler and each horn antenna is configured to produce a first polarized signal from the received first input signal  1240  and a second polarized signal from the received second input signal  1242 . In this example, the first polarized signal is cross polarized with the second polarized signal. 
     The AAS  1200  further includes a plurality of pairs of planar coupling slots  1283 ,  1284 ,  1285 ,  1286 ,  1287 , and  1288  along the straight feed waveguide length  1230 , where a first pair of planar coupling slots, of the plurality of pairs of planar coupling slots  1283 ,  1284 ,  1285 ,  1286 ,  1287 , and  1288 , corresponds to a first cross-coupler, of the plurality of cross-couplers (i.e., 1 st  CC  1204 , 2 nd  CC  1206 , 3 rd  CC  1208 , 4 th  CC  1210 , 5 th  CC  1212 , and 6 th  CC  1214 ), and a second pair of planar coupling slots corresponds to a second cross-coupler. 
     The first pair of planar coupling slots are cut into the feed waveguide wall  1228  of the straight feed waveguide  1202  and an adjacent bottom wall of the first cross-coupler and the second pair of planar coupling slots are cut into the feed waveguide wall  1228  of the straight feed waveguide  1202  and an adjacent bottom wall of the second cross-coupler. A first planar coupling slot and a second planar coupling slot, of the first pair of planar coupling slots, are positioned approximately a quarter-wavelength apart and a first planar coupling slot and a second planar coupling slot, of the second pair of planar coupling slots, are positioned approximately a quarter-wavelength apart. The first planar coupling slot and the second planar coupling slot have a geometry that may be chosen from the group consisting of a slot, crossed-slot, and circular orifices. The straight feed waveguide may be a rectangular waveguide having a broad-wall and a narrow-wall. 
     The AAS  1200  may further include the plurality of power amplifiers (that include 1 st  PA 3   1276 , 2 nd  PA 3   1277 , 3 rd  PA 3   1278 , 4 th  PA 3   1279 , 5 th  PA 3   1280 , 6 th  PA 3   1281 , and a 7 th  PA 3   1282 ), where: a first power amplifier, of the plurality of power amplifiers, is in signal communication with the first cross-coupler and the first horn antenna and is configured to amplify the first coupled signal from the first cross-coupler; a second power amplifier, of the plurality of power amplifiers, is in signal communication with the first cross-coupler and the first horn antenna and is configured to amplify the second coupled signal from the first directional coupler; a third power amplifier, of the plurality of power amplifiers, is in signal communication with the second cross-coupler and the second horn antenna and is configured to amplify the first coupled signal from the second cross-coupler; and a fourth power amplifier, of the plurality of power amplifiers, is in signal communication with the second cross-coupler and the second horn antenna and is configured to amplify the second coupled signal from the second cross-coupler. 
     The AAS  1200  may further include a first septum polarizer (similar to  710  in  FIG. 7 ) in the first horn antenna and a second septum polarizer in the second horn antenna. The first horn antenna is configured to produce a first polarized signal from the received first coupled signal and a second polarized signal from the received second coupled signal and the second horn antenna is configured to produce a first polarized signal from the received first coupled signal and a second polarized signal from the received second coupled signal. The first polarized signal of the first horn antenna is a first circularly polarized signal of the first horn antenna and the second polarized signal of the first horn antenna is a second circularly polarized signal of the first horn antenna. The first polarized signal of the second horn antenna is a first circularly polarized signal of the second horn antenna and the second polarized signal of the second horn antenna is a second circularly polarized signal of the second horn antenna. The first circularly polarized signal of the first horn antenna rotates in the opposite direction of the second circularly polarized signal of the first horn antenna and the first circularly polarized signal of the second horn antenna rotates in the opposite direction of the second circularly polarized signal of the second horn antenna. Moreover, the first circularly polarized signal of the first horn antenna rotates in the same direction as the first circularly polarized signal of the second horn antenna and second circularly polarized signal of the first horn antenna rotates in the same direction as the second circularly polarized signal of the second horn antenna. 
     The AAS  1200  may further include a first circulator (not shown) and a second circulator (not shown), wherein the first circulator is in signal communication with the first feed waveguide input  1232  and the second circulator is signal communication with the second feed waveguide input  1236 . Furthermore, the AAS  1200  may further include a reflector in signal communication with the even plurality of horn antennas. 
     In an example of operation, the AAS  1200  performs a method for directing and steering an antenna beam. The method includes receiving the first input signal  1240  at the first feed waveguide input  1232  and the second input signal  1242  at the second feed waveguide input  1236 , where the second input signal  1242  is propagating in the opposite direction of the first input signal  1240  along the straight feed waveguide  1202 . The AAS  1200  then couples the first input signal  1240  to a first cross-coupler, of the at least two cross-couplers (of the plurality of cross-couplers—1 st  CC  1204 , 2 nd  CC  1206 , 3 rd  CC  1208 , 4 th  CC  1210 , 5 th  CC  1212 , and 6 th  CC  1214 ), where the first cross-coupler produces a first coupled output signal of the first cross-coupler, and couples the first input signal  1240  to a second cross-coupler, of the at least two cross-couplers, where the second cross-coupler produces a first coupled output signal of the second cross-coupler. The AAS  1200  also couples the second input signal  1242  to the second cross-coupler, where the second cross-coupler produces a second coupled output signal of the second cross-coupler, and couples the second input signal  1242  to the first cross-coupler, where the first cross-coupler produces a second coupled output signal of the first cross-coupler. The AAS  1200  then radiates a first polarized signal from a first horn antenna, of the at least two horn antennas (of the plurality of horn antennas), in response to the first horn antenna receiving the first coupled output signal of the first cross-coupler and radiates a second polarized signal from the first horn antenna, in response to the first horn antenna receiving the second coupled output signal of the first cross-coupler. The AAS  1200  also radiates a first polarized signal from a second horn antenna, of the at least two horn antennas, in response to the second horn antenna receiving the second coupled output signal of the second cross-coupler and radiates a second polarized signal from the second horn antenna, in response to the second horn antenna receiving the second coupled output signal of the second cross-coupler. As discussed earlier, the first polarized signal of the first horn antenna is cross polarized with the second polarized signal of the first horn antenna and the first polarized signal of the second horn antenna is cross polarized with the second polarized signal of the second horn antenna, and the first polarized signal of the first horn antenna is polarized in the same direction as the first polarized signal of the second horn antenna and second polarized signal of the first horn antenna is polarized in the same direction as the second polarized signal of the second horn antenna. 
     The method may further include amplifying the first coupled output signals from both the first and second cross-couplers and the second coupled output signals from both the first and second cross-couplers, where the first input signal  1240  and second input signal  1242  may be TE 10  mode signals propagating in opposite directions through the straight feed waveguide  1202 . The method may also further include: amplifying the first coupled output signal of the first cross-coupler with a first power amplifier; amplifying the first coupled output signal of the second cross-coupler with a second power amplifier; amplifying the second coupled output signal of the second cross-coupler with a third power amplifier; and amplifying the second coupled output signal of the first cross-coupler with a fourth power amplifier. 
     Similar to the examples shown with regards to  FIGS. 1 through 11 , in this example, the AAS  1200  also may be utilized to steer an antenna beam by frequency utilizing a single input (either first input signal  1240  or second input signal  1242 ) or by utilizing a given frequency by feeding both ends with first input signal  1240  and second input signal  1242 . 
     Also an alternative to utilizing a horn antenna with the septum polarizer  710  is to adjust the relative phase between the first input signal  1240  and second input signal  1242  in such a way that each directional coupler output runs to a single mode horn antenna (not a septum polarizer fed horn as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B ). In this example, there would be two arrays of horn antennas instead of one (as shown in  FIGS. 12A through 12E ). In this example, a first array of horn antennas excited by the first input signal  1240  may run parallel to a second array of horn antennas excited by the second input signal  1242 . 
       FIG. 12F  shows another implementation of the AAS  1200  in accordance with the present disclosure. In the embodiment of  12 F, the first horn antenna  1216  is configured to receive the coupled signal from a first cross-coupler  1291  and the coupled signal from a second cross-coupler  1293 . The first horn antenna  1216  is configured to produce a first circularly polarized signal from the received coupled signal from the first cross-coupler  1291  and a second circularly polarized signal from the received coupled signal from the second cross-coupler  1293 . The second horn antenna  1218  is in signal communication with a third cross-coupler  1295  and a fourth cross-coupler  1297 . The second horn antenna  1218  is configured to produce a first circularly polarized signal from the received coupled signal from the third cross-coupler  1295  and a second circularly polarized signal from the received coupled signal from the fourth cross-coupler  1297 . The first cross-coupler corresponds to a first pair of planar coupling slots (e.g., planar coupling slots  1283 ). The second cross-coupler corresponds to a second pair of planar coupling slots (e.g., planar coupling slots  1284 ). The third cross-coupler corresponds to a third pair of planar coupling slots (e.g., planar coupling slots  1285 ). The fourth cross-coupler corresponds to a fourth pair of planar coupling slots (e.g., planar coupling slots  1286 ). The first circularly polarized signal of the first horn antenna rotates in the opposite direction of the second circularly polarized signal of the first horn antenna and the first circularly polarized signal of the second horn antenna rotates in the opposite direction of the second circularly polarized signal of the second horn antenna. The first circularly polarized signal of the first horn antenna rotates in the same direction as the first circularly polarized signal of the second horn antenna and second circularly polarized signal of the first horn antenna rotates in the same direction as the second circularly polarized signal of the second horn antenna. 
     Specifically, turning to  FIG. 13 , a top view is shown of an example of another implementation of the AAS  1300  in accordance with the present disclosure. In this example, the AAS  1300  includes a first array  1302  of horn antennas (i.e., the first sub-plurality of horn antennas) excited by the first input signal  1240  may run parallel to a second array  1316  of horn antennas (i.e., the second sub-plurality of horn antennas) excited by the second input signal  1242 . In this example, the first array  1302  of horn antennas includes a first single mode horn antenna of the first array (“1 st  SMHAFA 2 ”)  1304 , a second single mode horn antenna of the first array (“2 nd  SMHAFA 2 ”)  1306 , a third single mode horn antenna of the first array (“3 rd  SMHAFA 2 ”)  1308 , a fourth single mode horn antenna of the first array (“4 th  SMHAFA 2 ”)  1310 , a fifth single mode horn antenna of the first array (“5 th  SMHAFA 2 ”)  1312 , and a sixth single mode horn antenna of the first array (“6 th  SMHAFA 2 ”)  1314 . Similarly, the second array  1316  of horn antennas includes a first single mode horn antenna of the second array (“1 st  SMHASA 2 ”)  1318 , a second single mode horn antenna of the second array (“2 nd  SMHASA 2 ”)  1320 , a third single mode horn antenna of the second array (“3 rd  SMHASA 2 ”)  1322 , a fourth single mode horn antenna of the second array (“4 th  SMHASA 2 ”)  1324 , a fifth single mode horn antenna of the second array (“5 th  SMHASA 2 ”)  1326 , and a sixth single mode horn antenna of the second array (“6 th  SMHASA 2 ”)  1328 . Furthermore, in this example, the 1 st  SMHAFA  1304  and 1 st  SMHASA  1318  is in signal communication with the 1 st  CC  1204 , 2 nd  SMHAFA  1306  and 2 nd  SMHASA  1320  is in signal communication with the 2 nd  CC  1206 , 3 rd  SMHAFA  1308  and 3 rd  SMHASA  1322  is in signal communication with the 3 rd  CC  1208 , 4 th  SMHAFA  1310  and 4 th  SMHASA  1324  is in signal communication with the 4 th  CC  1210 , 5 th  SMHAFA  1312  and 5 th  SMHASA  1326  is in signal communication with the 5 th  CC  1212 , 6 th  SMHAFA  1314  and 6 th  SMHASA  1328  is in signal communication with the 6 th  CC  1214 . The first array of horn antennas (i.e., 1 st  SMHAFA  1304 , 2 nd  SMHAFA  1306 , 3 rd  SMHAFA  1308 , 4 th  SMHAFA  1310 , 5 th  SMHAFA  1312 , and 6 th  SMHAFA  1314 ) are excited by the first input signal  1240  and the second array of horn antennas (i.e., 1 st  SMHASA  1318 , 2 nd  SMHASA  1320 , 3 rd  SMHASA  1322 , 4 th  SMHASA  1324 , 5 th  SMHASA  1326 , and 6 th  SMHASA  1328 ) are excited by the second input signal  1242 . 
       FIG. 14  is flowchart describing an example of an implementation of a method performed by the AAS shown in  FIGS. 1-13  in accordance with the present disclosure. In this example, the method  1400  includes receiving  1404  a first input signal at the first feed waveguide input and a second input signal  186  at the second feed waveguide input, wherein the second input signal is propagating in the opposite direction of the first input signal. The AAS then couples  1408  the first input signal to a first cross-coupler, of at least two cross-couplers, wherein the first cross-coupler produces a first coupled output signal of the first cross-coupler, couples  1410  the first input signal to a second cross-coupler, of the at least two cross-couplers, wherein the second cross-coupler produces a first coupled output signal of the second cross-coupler, couples  1412  the second input signal to the second cross-coupler, wherein the second cross-coupler produces a second coupled output signal of the second cross-coupler, and couples  1414  the second input signal to the first cross-coupler, wherein the first cross-coupler produces a second coupled output signal of the first cross-coupler. The AAS then radiates  1416  a first polarized signal from a first horn antenna, of the at least two horn antennas, in response to the first horn antenna receiving the first coupled output signal of the first cross-coupler, radiates  1418  a second polarized signal from the first horn antenna, in response to the first horn antenna receiving the second coupled output signal of the first cross-coupler, radiates  1420  a first polarized signal from a second horn antenna, of the at least two horn antennas, in response to the second horn antenna receiving the second coupled output signal of the second cross-coupler, and radiates  1422  a second polarized signal from the second horn antenna, in response to the second horn antenna receiving the second coupled output signal of the second cross-coupler. In this example, the first polarized signal of the first horn antenna is cross polarized with the second polarized signal of the first horn antenna and the first polarized signal of the second horn antenna is cross polarized with the second polarized signal of the second horn antenna and the first polarized signal of the first horn antenna is polarized in the same direction as the first polarized signal of the second horn antenna and second polarized signal of the first horn antenna is polarized in the same direction as the second polarized signal of the second horn antenna. The method then ends  1424 . 
     In this example, the method may further include amplifying the first coupled output signals from both the first and second cross-couplers and the second coupled output signals from both the first and second cross-couplers. Moreover, the first input signal and second input signal may be TE 10  mode signals propagating in opposite directions through the straight feed waveguide. The method may further includes amplifying the first coupled output signal of the first cross-coupler with a first power amplifier, amplifying the first coupled output signal of the second cross-coupler with a second power amplifier, amplifying the second coupled output signal of the second cross-coupler with a third power amplifier, and amplifying the second coupled output signal of the first cross-coupler with a fourth power amplifier. 
     As a further example of operation, the first, second, and third implementations of the AAS may be utilized as standalone antenna systems (i.e., direct radiation system) or as part of a reflector antenna system. Turning to  FIG. 15 , a prospective view of an example of an implementation of a reflector antenna system  1500  is shown in accordance with the present disclosure. The reflector antenna system  1500  may include an AAS  1502  and a cylindrical reflector element  1504 . The AAS  1502  may be either the first implementation of the AAS  100  (shown in  FIGS. 1-6 ), the second implementation of the AAS  900  (shown in  FIG. 9 ), the third implementation of the AAS  1000  (shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B ), the fourth implementation of the AAS  1200  (shown in  FIGS. 12A-12E ), or the fifth implementation of the AAS  1300  (shown in  FIG. 13 ). In operation, the AAS  1502  acts a feed array for the reflector element  1504  and directs radiation  1506  towards the reflector element  1504  that is in turn reflected into free space to form the antenna beam  1508  of the reflector antenna system  1500 . The reflector antenna system  1500  may be used for many different applications. Again, it is appreciated by those skilled in the art that the reflector antenna system  1500  is an optional implementation of the AAS. Another example (not shown), is includes the AAS utilized as a standalone antenna system that is a direct radiation system without a reflector system. 
     In  FIG. 16 , a perspective view of a communication satellite  1600  is shown utilizing the reflector antenna system shown in  FIG. 15 . In this example, the communication satellite  1600  may include two reflector antenna systems  1602  and  1604  for transmission and a signal reflector antenna system  1606  for reception. 
     In summary, the AAS  100 ,  900 ,  1000 ,  1200 , and  1502  may be utilized to: 1) beam steer a circularly polarized beam by frequency if the AAS  100 ,  900 ,  1000 ,  1200 , and  1502  is fed on one end where each directional coupler (including cross-coupler) arm leads to a radiating element such as, for example, the horn antenna shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B ; 2) beam steer by frequency a linear beam, if the AAS  100 ,  900 ,  1000 ,  1200 , and  1502  is fed on one end ( 118  and  122 ,  1066  and  1070 , or  1234  and  1238 , respectively) where each directional coupler (including cross-coupler) arm leads to a single mode horn antenna; 3) beam steer a circularly polarized beam by relative phase between the first input signal  184  or  1240  and second input signal  186  or  1242 , respectively, or by frequency, if the AAS  100 ,  900 ,  1000 ,  1200 , and  1502  is fed on both ends, where each directional coupler arm leads to one of two arrays of horn antennas; and 4) beam steer by relative phase difference between the first input signal  184  or  1240  and second input signal  186  or  1242 , respectively, or by frequency, if the AAS  100 ,  900 ,  1000 ,  1200 , and  1502  is fed feed on both ends, where each directional coupler arm leads to one of two arrays of horn antennas. 
     In some alternative examples of implementations, the function or functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, in some cases, two blocks shown in succession may be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be performed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. Also, other blocks may be added in addition to the illustrated blocks in a flowchart or block diagram. 
     The description of the different examples of implementations has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the examples in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, different examples of implementations may provide different features as compared to other desirable examples. The example, or examples, selected are chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the examples, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various examples with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.