Patent Description:
Antenna array technology including apertures and waveguide with waveguide feed networks are becoming an important communication tool because such antenna arrays exhibit low level of losses. These antenna arrays represent one of the most suited technologies for passive arrays because of the low level of losses they exhibit. Applications requiring a significant bandwidth may use feed networks of the corporate type in order to provide equal amplitude and phase to all the elements in the array. As the number of antenna elements increases, the waveguide feed networks become increasingly complex, costly, heavy, and space consuming. This can be problematic in many environments (e.g., avionics) where space and/or weight are at a premium. In some cases, inter-element distance may be constrained by the feed network size, which may degrade antenna performance.

<CIT> discloses an antenna and a method for providing an antenna for transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic waves of at least one predefined frequency and a circular polarization. The antenna comprises at least a first support having upper and lower faces and at least one pair of substantially identical upper and lower radiating elements disposed on the upper and lower faces, respectively, each radiating element being capable of transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic waves of circular polarization with a phase center located at a predefined position.

<CIT> discloses an antenna comprising a radiation horn, a polarization slot layer, a dielectric plate and a back cavity layer. The back cavity layer serves as a supporting structure of the whole antenna. The radiation horn, the polarization slot layer and the dielectric plate are sequentially stacked above the back cavity layer.

<CIT> discloses an array antenna including two interleaved array antennas capable of being operated independently at a first frequency, or together, at a second frequency. Each of the two array antennas is composed of alternating elements of an antenna array, and the two arrays are interleaved. Each of the interleaved arrays may be operated independently, e.g., in the X band, or the arrays may be driven together, as a single array with more densely spaced elements, e.g., in the Ku band.

"<NPL>) discloses a circularly polarized antenna element with a wide axial-ratio beam-width. Two rectangular notches are distributed on the wide sides of a rectangular waveguide in a <NUM>° rotational symmetry to excite circular polarization.

<CIT> discloses a dual septum waveguide transducer.

Methods, systems, and devices are described for dual-polarized parallel plate septum polarizers for an antenna array as defined in the appended claims. The dual-polarized parallel plate septum polarizers may be formed using parallel plates and plates of septums that are arranged in alternating orientations. The septums may create dual polarization and form divided waveguides for two different types of polarization. These plates may form linear arrays that can be stacked together.

There may be no walls that separate the septums from each other. The grids may be tiled and stacked together to form larger arrays. The antenna array may be passive or active. For active antenna arrays, circuit cards may be snapped to the tiles.

In a first set of illustrative examples, a dual-polarized antenna array is described. In one configuration, the dual-polarized antenna array includes a parallel plate polarizer. The parallel plate polarizer may include an upper plate having a first surface and a lower plate that is parallel to the upper plate and has a second surface opposing the first surface of the upper plate, wherein the lower plate is parallel to the upper plate. The dual-polarized antenna array may include a plurality of stepped septums extending from the first surface of the upper plate to the second surface of the lower plate, each of the plurality of stepped septums having a first side surface and a second side surface, the plurality of stepped septums comprising a first set of stepped septums and a second set of stepped septums that are inverted relative to the first set of stepped septums. The dual-polarized antenna array may include a plurality of first divided waveguides associated with a first polarization, each of the plurality of first divided waveguides having a first set of opposing walls formed by a first portion of the first surface of the upper plate and a first portion of the second surface of the lower plate and a second set of opposing walls formed by a portion of the first side surface of one of the first set of stepped septums and a portion of the first side surface of one of the second set of stepped septums. The dual-polarized antenna array may include a plurality of second divided waveguides associated with a second polarization, each of the plurality of second divided waveguides having a first set of opposing walls formed by a second portion of the first surface of the upper plate and a second portion of the second surface of the lower plate and a second set of opposing walls formed by a portion of the second side surface of one of the first set of stepped septums and a portion of the second side surface of one of the second set of stepped septums.

Some examples of the dual-polarized antenna array include a plurality of parallel plate polarizers comprising the parallel plate polarizer, wherein, for at least a subset of the plurality of parallel plate polarizers the upper plate of one of a pair of adjacent parallel plate polarizers and the lower plate of the other one of the pair of adjacent parallel plate polarizers are a same plate.

In some examples of the dual-polarized antenna array, the plurality of stepped septums for the one of the pair of adjacent parallel plate polarizers are aligned with the plurality of stepped septums for the other one of the pair of adjacent parallel plate polarizers in a dimension parallel to the upper and lower plates of the first parallel plate polarizer. In other examples, the plurality of stepped septums for the one of the pair of adjacent parallel plate polarizers are offset from the plurality of stepped septums for the other one of the pair of adjacent parallel plate polarizers in a dimension parallel to the upper and lower plates of the plurality of parallel plate polarizers.

Some examples of the dual-polarized antenna array include a plurality of antenna feeds within respective waveguides of the plurality of first divided waveguides and the plurality of second divided waveguides.

Some examples of the dual-polarized antenna array include a plurality of circuit cards, wherein each of the plurality of circuit cards is coupled with a subset of the plurality of antenna feeds. In some examples, each of the plurality of circuit cards comprises an electrical beam forming network. In some examples of the dual-polarized antenna array, the electrical beam forming network of the each of the plurality of circuit cards comprises a plurality of beamforming circuits, each beamforming circuit associated with one or more of the antenna feeds.

Some examples of the dual-polarized antenna array include a plurality of distribution circuits, wherein each of the plurality of distribution circuits is coupled with at least a subset of the plurality of circuit cards and provides a first signal associated with the first polarization and a second signal associated with the second polarization to the at least the subset of the plurality of circuit cards. In some examples, each of the plurality of circuit cards is coupled with the subset of the plurality of antenna feeds that are within the respective waveguides of the plurality of first divided waveguides and the plurality of second divided waveguides for one parallel plate polarizer of the plurality of parallel plate polarizers. In some examples, each of the plurality of circuit cards comprises a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and a plurality of digital-to-analog converters (DACs), and wherein each of the plurality of ADCs and the plurality of DACs is coupled with one or more of the plurality of antenna feeds.

Some examples of the dual-polarized antenna array include a first waveguide feed network coupled between a first common port and the plurality of first divided waveguides and a second waveguide feed network coupled between a second common port and the plurality of second divided waveguides.

In some examples, the dual-polarized antenna array may include a plurality of parallel assemblies, wherein each parallel assembly comprises a stepped septum from each of the plurality of parallel plate polarizers and at least a portion of a combiner/divider of the first waveguide feed network or the second waveguide feed network.

In some examples, the dual-polarized antenna array may include a plurality of first plates comprising upper and lower plates of the plurality of parallel plate polarizers, each of the plurality of first plates having slots along a first edge. The dual-polarized antenna array may also include a plurality of second plates, each of the plurality of second plates comprising stepped septums from a plurality of rows of the plurality of parallel plate polarizers, and each of the plurality of second plates inserted into the slots of the plurality of first plates.

In some examples of the dual-polarized antenna array, the parallel plate polarizer is constructed using an additive manufacturing technique.

In some examples of the dual-polarized antenna array, the first polarization is a first circular polarization and the second polarization is a second circular polarization. In other examples, the first polarization is a first linear polarization and the second polarization is a second linear polarization.

Some examples of the dual-polarized antenna array include a plurality of dielectric inserts located at least partially in a transition region of the plurality of stepped septums. In some examples, a transition region for each of the stepped septums has a length in an axial dimension orthogonal to a plane of an aperture of the dual-polarized antenna array that is less than a wavelength of a carrier frequency for the dual-polarized antenna array.

In some examples of the dual-polarized antenna array, a first divided waveguide of the plurality of first divided waveguides shares a first stepped septum of the plurality of stepped septums with a second divided waveguide of the plurality of second divided waveguides and shares a second stepped septum of the plurality of stepped septums with a third divided waveguide of the plurality of second divided waveguides, wherein the first divided waveguide is adjacent to the second divided waveguide and the third divided waveguide.

In some examples of the dual-polarized antenna array, the first set of stepped septums and the second set of stepped septums are interleaved along a direction parallel to the upper plate and the lower plate.

Further scope of the applicability of the described methods and apparatuses will become apparent from the following detailed description, claims, and drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the description will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

Dual-polarized antenna arrays described herein may include one or more parallel plate polarizer linear arrays. Each parallel plate polarizer linear array may include alternately oriented septums arranged along a first dimension between a lower plate and an upper plate. The septums may include a first set of septums and a second set of septums extending between the upper and lower plates, where the second set of septums are inverted by <NUM> degrees relative to the first set of septums. In some examples, each septum may be partially dielectric loaded using dielectric inserts. The septums may have a first edge that is towards one of the lower or upper plates that is longer than a second edge that is towards the other of the lower or upper plates. Although referred to in the description as stepped septums for clarity, it should be understood that the septums may have a leading edge that is sloped or curved without deviating from the description.

The first set of septums may be interleaved with the second set of septums in an alternating fashion along the first dimension. This arrangement may be such that a septum of the first set of septums is between a pair of adjacent septums of the second set of septums and a septum of the second set is between a pair of adjacent septums of the first set of septums, excluding the septums at the ends of the linear array.

In some examples, the parallel plate polarizer linear array may be a direct radiating array. In other examples, the parallel plate polarizer linear array may be used in conjunction with a focusing aperture (e.g., a lens, a reflector, a close-out, etc.).

In some embodiments, multiple parallel plate polarizer linear arrays may be stacked (e.g., in a staggered or an aligned fashion) along a second dimension to define a two-dimensional array.

Each parallel plate polarizer linear array may include a dual-polarized parallel plate common waveguide region that is divided by septums to form first divided waveguides associated with a first polarization and second divided waveguides associated with a second polarization. Each septum may divide a portion of the parallel plate common waveguide region into a first divided waveguide associated with the first polarization and a second divided waveguide associated with the second polarization. The orientation of the septum determines which divided waveguides are associated with the first and second polarizations. In particular, a septum of the first set of septums will produce a first arrangement of divided waveguides (e.g., a first divided waveguide on the left and a second divided waveguide on the right), while a septum of the second set (e.g., inverted from one of the first set) will produce a second, opposite arrangement of divided waveguides (e.g., a first divided waveguide on the right and a second divided waveguide on the left). Thus, due to the alternately oriented arrangement of the septums, each septum may "share" its first divided waveguide with one of its adjacent, oppositely oriented septums, and may "share" its second divided waveguide with the other of its adjacent, oppositely oriented septums (excluding the ends of the linear array). As a result, adjacent septums (one of the first set and one of the second set) collectively operate as a polarizer for each individual divided waveguide.

Each divided waveguide may correspond with at least one mode (associated with its corresponding polarization in a far-field region) in the parallel plate common waveguide region, and thus the parallel plate common waveguide region operates with plural modes. In some examples, more than two modes may be in the common waveguide for broadband implementations. Two dominate modes in the common waveguide may have different field structures, wave velocities, and impedances. Design features described herein may be included to minimize undesired modes in the common waveguide.

Examples of the parallel plate polarizer linear array can also be described as a physical <NUM>:N transition device, where N is greater than two (N><NUM>) and N represents the number of individual divided waveguides. The device may have a single physical port that operates as two electrical ports since the common waveguide supports two orthogonal polarizations. By appropriate design of the septum walls (e.g., the plural counterposed central plates in the septum transition region), in examples using circular polarization, a TE<NUM> mode in each divided waveguide can couple approximately half of its power to each of the linear polarization components in the common waveguide.

In some examples, an antenna formed from the parallel plate polarizer linear arrays may be a passive array and include a waveguide feed network of combiner/dividers. The waveguide network may be coupled between the first divided waveguides of the parallel plate polarizer linear arrays and a first common port associated with the first polarization, and coupled between the second divided waveguides of the parallel plate polarizer linear arrays and a second common port associated with the second polarization. In other examples, the antenna is may be an active array and include components such as amplifiers and phase shifters on printed circuit boards coupled to the first and second divided waveguides. The antenna can further include combiner/divider boards to couple the printed circuit boards to a first common port associated with the first polarization and to a second common port associated with the second polarization.

Some examples of the dual-polarized antenna arrays described herein may be digital. A digital antenna may further include digital beamforming circuitry such as digital phase shifters or amplifiers, and may have analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) coupled with feed elements in the first and second divided waveguides. In examples in which the antenna is used for transmissions, digital signals representing one or more beams may be provided from a processing unit (e.g., a processor executing instructions stored in memory) or digital beamforming circuitry to digital-to-analog converters (DACs) coupled with the feed elements in the first and second divided waveguides. The DACs may convert the digital signals to analog signals that are provided to upconverters and amplifiers. The resultant upconverted and amplified signals may then be provided to the first and second divided waveguides (e.g., via feed elements) and subsequently transmitted by the stacked parallel plate polarizer linear arrays to form the transmitted beams. In examples in which the antenna is used for reception, analog signals from the first and second divided waveguides may be amplified, down converted, and provided to the ADCs. The ADCs may convert the analog signals to digital signals that are then provided to the processing unit to form one or more beams using digital beamforming techniques.

This description provides examples, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of embodiments of the principles described herein. Rather, the ensuing description will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing embodiments of the principles described herein. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements.

Thus, various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, it should be appreciated that the methods may be performed in an order different than that described, and that various steps may be added, omitted or combined. Also, aspects and elements described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in various other embodiments. It should also be appreciated that the following systems, methods, devices, and software may individually or collectively be components of a larger system, wherein other procedures may take precedence over or otherwise modify their application.

Example aspects of the disclosure are described in the context of devices and antenna subsystems. Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts that relate to dual-polarized antenna arrays.

<FIG> shows a diagram of a satellite communication system <NUM> in accordance with various embodiments. The satellite communication system <NUM> includes a satellite system <NUM>, a gateway <NUM>, a gateway antenna system <NUM>, and an aircraft <NUM>. The gateway <NUM> communicates with one or more networks <NUM>. In operation, the satellite communication system <NUM> provides for two-way communications between the aircraft <NUM> and the network <NUM> through the satellite system <NUM> and the gateway <NUM>.

The satellite system <NUM> may include one or more satellites. The one or more satellites in the satellite system <NUM> may include any suitable type of communication satellite. In some examples, some or all of the satellites may be in geosynchronous orbits. In other examples, any appropriate orbit (e.g., low earth orbit (LEO), etc.) for satellite system <NUM> may be used. Some or all of the satellites of satellite system <NUM> may be multi-beam satellites configured to provide service for multiple service beam coverage areas in a predefined geographical service area.

The gateway antenna system <NUM> may be two-way capable and designed with adequate transmit power and receive sensitivity to communicate reliably with the satellite system <NUM>. The satellite system <NUM> may communicate with the gateway antenna system <NUM> by sending and receiving signals through one or more beams <NUM>. The gateway <NUM> sends and receives signals to and from the satellite system <NUM> using the gateway antenna system <NUM>. The gateway <NUM> is connected to the one or more networks <NUM>. The networks <NUM> may include a local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), or any other suitable public or private network and may be connected to other communications networks such as the Internet, telephony networks (e.g., Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), etc.), and the like.

The aircraft <NUM> includes an on-board communication system including a dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> (also referred to herein as "antenna array <NUM>"). The aircraft <NUM> may use the antenna array <NUM> to communicate with the satellite system <NUM> over one or more beams <NUM>. The antenna array <NUM> may be mounted on the outside of the fuselage of aircraft <NUM> under a radome <NUM>. The antenna array <NUM> may be mounted to an elevation and azimuth gimbal which points the antenna array <NUM> (e.g., actively tracking) at a satellite of satellite system <NUM>. The depth of the antenna array <NUM> may directly impact the size of the radome <NUM>, for which a low profile may be desired. In other examples, other types of housings are used with the antenna array <NUM>. The antenna array <NUM> may operate in the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Ku, K, or Ka-bands, for example from <NUM> to <NUM> Giga-Hertz (GHz). In some examples, the antenna array <NUM> have partial dielectric inserts and may be used in a full <NUM> band. Alternatively, the antenna array <NUM> may operate in other frequency bands such as C-band, X-band, S-band, L-band, and the like. Additionally, the antenna array <NUM> may be used in other applications besides onboard the aircraft <NUM>, such as onboard boats, vehicles, or on ground-based stationary systems.

<FIG> illustrates a conceptual diagram of a waveguide device <NUM> for a dual-polarized antenna array in accordance with various embodiments. The waveguide device <NUM> may be an example of a component of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> of <FIG>. The waveguide device <NUM> may be part of an antenna array installed onboard an aircraft, such as aircraft <NUM> of <FIG>, or may be used with other devices or systems. In some examples, the elements of waveguide device <NUM> may be arrayed in a rectangular or square antenna array, although the elements or arrays of elements may have other shapes or configurations.

<FIG> illustrates the waveguide device <NUM> as separate components in order to discuss the functionality of each section separately. For example, the waveguide device <NUM> may illustrate waveguide propagation paths where electromagnetic waves can propagate through and be directed between various waveguide sections, based on the structure of the waveguide device <NUM>. The waveguide device <NUM> in <FIG> shows front view of a row of the waveguide device <NUM> and, for illustrative purposes, does not show any additional structure behind. The waveguide device <NUM> may include multiple waveguide combiner/divider networks associated with different polarizations. Half of the networks may correspond to radiation having one polarization (e.g., right-hand circular polarization) and the other half of the networks may correspond to radiation having another polarization (e.g., left-hand circular polarization).

The waveguide device <NUM> illustrates one row of a parallel plate polarizer <NUM> of a dual-polarized antenna array, including an upper plate <NUM> and a lower plate <NUM>. The upper plate <NUM> includes a first surface <NUM> that faces the lower plate <NUM>. The lower plate <NUM> includes a second surface <NUM> that faces the upper plate <NUM>. The upper plate <NUM> may be parallel, or approximately parallel, to the lower plate <NUM>.

The waveguide device <NUM> may include a plurality of stepped septums, including a first set of stepped septums <NUM>-a and a second set of stepped septums <NUM>-b (collectively referred to herein as stepped septums <NUM>). The stepped septums <NUM> may have a stepped structure on one edge and a flat structure on an opposite edge, which is illustrated at least in <FIG>. The stepped structure of the stepped septums <NUM> may be referred to as the leading edge because it faces the aperture of the antenna array, while the flat structure may be referred to as the trailing edge because it faces away from the aperture. The stepped septums <NUM> extend from the first surface <NUM> of the upper plate <NUM> to the second surface <NUM> of the lower plate <NUM>. Each of the stepped septums <NUM> includes a first side surface and a second side surface. The first set of stepped septums <NUM>-a are inverted along a dimension (e.g., Y-axis <NUM>) relative to the second set of stepped septums <NUM>-b.

Between each pair of stepped septums <NUM> is formed a divided waveguide. The waveguide device <NUM> includes a plurality of first divided waveguides <NUM> associated with a first polarization, each of the plurality of first divided waveguides having a first set of opposing walls <NUM> formed by a first portion <NUM> of the first surface <NUM> of the upper plate <NUM> and a first portion <NUM> of the second surface <NUM> of the lower plate <NUM> and a second set of opposing walls <NUM> formed by a portion of the first side surface <NUM> of one of the first set of stepped septums <NUM>-a and a portion of the first side surface <NUM> of one of the second set of stepped septums <NUM>-b. The first side surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> may correspond to a same side of a stepped septum relative to the steps (e.g., the first side surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> may both be on the left side of a stepped septum when viewed from a front of a septum having the transition region of the septum increasing in height in a direction away from the viewer, or steps going up). The first portion of the first surface <NUM> of the upper plate <NUM> may be that portion of the first surface <NUM> that is between the stepped septums forming the particular first divided waveguide of the plurality of first divided waveguide <NUM>. Likewise, the first portion of the second surface <NUM> of the lower plate <NUM> may be that portion of the second surface <NUM> that is between the stepped septums forming the particular first divided waveguide of the plurality of first divided waveguide <NUM>.

The waveguide device <NUM> also includes a plurality of second divided waveguides <NUM> associated with a second polarization, each of the plurality of second divided waveguides <NUM> having a first set of opposing walls <NUM> formed by a second portion <NUM> of the first surface <NUM> of the upper plate <NUM> and a second portion <NUM> of the second surface <NUM> of the lower plate <NUM> and a second set of opposing walls <NUM> formed by a portion of the second side surface <NUM> of one of the first set of stepped septums <NUM>-a and a portion of the second side surface <NUM> of one of the second set of stepped septums <NUM>-b. The second side surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> may correspond to a same side of a septum relative to the steps (e.g., the second side surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> may both be on the right side of a stepped septum when viewed from a front of a septum having the transition region of the septum increasing in height in a direction away from the viewer, or steps going up). The first portion of the first surface <NUM> of the upper plate <NUM> may be that portion of the first surface <NUM> that is between the stepped septums forming the particular first divided waveguide of the plurality of first divided waveguide <NUM>. Likewise, the first portion of the second surface <NUM> of the lower plate <NUM> may be that portion of the second surface <NUM> that is between the stepped septums forming the particular first divided waveguide of the plurality of first divided waveguide <NUM>.

The first set of stepped septums <NUM>-a may be interleaved with the second set of stepped septums <NUM>-b in an alternating fashion along the first dimension (e.g., along "x" axis <NUM>). This arrangement may be such that a stepped septum of the first set of stepped septums <NUM>-a may be between a pair of adjacent stepped septums of the second set of stepped septums <NUM>-b and a stepped septum of the second set of stepped septums <NUM>-b is between a pair of adjacent stepped septums of the first set of stepped septums <NUM>-a, excluding the stepped septums at the ends of the row of the parallel plate polarizer <NUM>. In some examples, there may be a wall connecting each outside edge of the upper plate <NUM> and the lower plate <NUM>.

In some examples of the waveguide device <NUM>, a focusing aperture may be coupled with the row of the parallel plate polarizer <NUM>. Examples of a focusing aperture may include a lens, a reflector, a radiating aperture, a radiating element, or the like. While any focusing aperture may be described herein as radiating electromagnetic radiation, they may also receive electromagnetic radiation. One or more focusing apertures may each be coupled with one of the linear arrays. The focusing aperture may be horns or waveguide apertures, for example. In examples where the focusing aperture are horns, the horns may be square, circular, or any other shape allowing reception and transmission of any desired polarized electromagnetic signal. The focusing apertures may also be loaded with dielectric bodies.

The waveguide device <NUM> may have waveguide propagation paths generally aligned along z-axis <NUM> (e.g., out of the page). The first divided waveguides <NUM> and the second divided waveguides <NUM> may also be referred to herein as "waveguide ports.

The stepped septums <NUM> may combine and separate polarization for transmission and reception. The stepped septums <NUM> may be described herein as septum polarizers, although described aspects may be applied with other types of polarization duplexers. The conducting surfaces of the stepped septums <NUM> may be formed using a conductive material such as metal, or may be metal-plated. The stepped septums <NUM> may be designed to generate linear or circular polarization. In one example, the stepped septums <NUM> have a metallic staircase design that generates right-handed circular polarization (RHCP) and left-handed circular polarization (LHCP) for radiation.

In some examples, each element of the parallel plate polarizer <NUM> may include an element that is asymmetric to one or more modes of signal propagation. For example, the parallel plate polarizer <NUM> may include a stepped septum <NUM> configured to be symmetric to the TE<NUM> mode (e.g., component signals with their E-field along Y-axis <NUM> in an individual waveguide) while being asymmetric to the TE<NUM> mode (e.g., component signals with their E-field along X-axis <NUM> in the common port <NUM>). The stepped septum <NUM> may facilitate rotation of the TE<NUM> mode without changing signal amplitude, which may result in addition and cancellation of the TE<NUM> mode with the TE<NUM> mode on opposite sides of the stepped septum <NUM>. From the dividing perspective (e.g., a received signal propagating in the common port <NUM> in a negative direction along Z-axis <NUM>), the TE<NUM> mode may additively combine with the TE<NUM> mode for a signal having RHCP on the side of the stepped septum <NUM> coupled with a first divided waveguide <NUM>, while cancelling on the side of the stepped septum <NUM> coupled with the second divided waveguide <NUM>. Conversely, for a signal having LHCP, the TE<NUM> mode and TE<NUM> mode may additively combine on the side of the stepped septum <NUM> coupled with the second divided waveguide <NUM> and cancel each other on the side of the stepped septum <NUM> coupled with the first divided waveguide <NUM>. Thus, the first and second divided waveguides <NUM>, <NUM> may be excited by orthogonal basis polarizations of polarized waves incident on the common port <NUM>, and may be isolated from each other. In a transmission mode, excitations of the first and second divided waveguides <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., TE<NUM> mode signals) may result in corresponding RHCP and LHCP waves, respectively, emitted from the common port <NUM>.

The polarizer may be used to transmit or receive waves having a combined polarization (e.g., linearly polarized signals having a desired polarization tilt angle) at the individual waveguide by changing the relative phase of component signals transmitted or received via the first and second divided waveguides <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, two equal-amplitude components of a signal may be suitably phase shifted and sent separately to the first divided waveguide <NUM> and the second divided waveguide <NUM>, where they are converted to an RHCP wave and an LHCP wave at the respective phases by the stepped septum <NUM>. When emitted from the common port <NUM>, the LHCP and RHCP waves combine to produce a linearly polarized wave having an orientation at a tilt angle related to the phase shift introduced into the two components of the transmitted signal. The transmitted wave is therefore linearly polarized and can be aligned with a polarization axis of a communication system. Similarly, a wave having a combined polarization (e.g., linear polarization) incident on common port <NUM> may be split into component signals of the basis polarizations at the divided waveguides <NUM>, <NUM> by stepped septums <NUM> and recovered by suitable phase shifting of the component signals in a receiver. Although discussed as using a stepped septum polarizer, other types of polarizers may be used including sloped septum polarizers or other polarizers.

The stepped septums <NUM> may have a transition region (e.g., stepped region) between the common port <NUM> and the divided waveguides <NUM> and <NUM>. In some examples, the stepped septums <NUM> may receive two signals corresponding to two different polarizations via the divided waveguides <NUM> and <NUM> and combine the signals in the common port <NUM> for transmission. The stepped septums <NUM> may also generate different polarizations for a dual-polarized antenna array. For example, a first signal excited at a first divided waveguide port <NUM> may result in a first circular polarization (e.g., LHCP) at the common port <NUM>. A second signal excited at a second divided waveguide port <NUM> may result in a second circular polarization (e.g., RHCP) at the common port <NUM>. Similarly, a circularly polarized wave having the first polarization exciting the common port <NUM> may be translated to a signal at the first divided waveguide ports <NUM>. That is, the energy from a wave having the first circular polarization that is received at the common port <NUM> will be transferred to the first divided waveguide ports <NUM>. Similarly, energy from a circularly polarized wave having the second polarization exciting the common port <NUM> will be translated to a signal at the second divided waveguide ports <NUM>. In some instances, the stepped septums <NUM> may operate in a transmission mode for a first polarization (e.g., LHCP) while operating in a reception mode for a second polarization (e.g., RHCP).

Although the illustrated septums are designed to natively convert between excitations in the divided waveguide ports and circular polarization, in some cases the septums may be modified to natively convert between excitations in the divided waveguide ports and linear polarization. For example, a longer septum (e.g., having a longer transition region of steps), or having multiple step reversals in the axial dimension of the antenna (e.g., the Z-axis <NUM>), the polarizer may allow the first and second divided waveguides <NUM>, <NUM> to be excited by orthogonal linear basis polarizations of polarized waves incident on the common port <NUM>, with sufficient port isolation between the first and second divided waveguides <NUM>, <NUM>. In such cases, the septum polarizer becomes a septum orthomode transducer (OMT).

The stepped septums <NUM> may be divided into two sets-a first set of stepped septums <NUM>-a and a second set of stepped septums <NUM>-b. The first set of stepped septums <NUM>-a may have a first orientation in the waveguide device <NUM> and the second set of stepped septum <NUM>-b may have a second orientation in the waveguide device <NUM>. The second orientation may be opposite, or inverted, from the first orientation (e.g., along Y-axis <NUM>). The first set of stepped septums <NUM>-a and the second sets of stepped septum <NUM>-b may be arranged into separate and alternating rows of the waveguide device <NUM>, where <FIG> illustrates one row of the waveguide device <NUM>. In examples where the waveguide device <NUM> includes stacked rows, the first set of stepped septums <NUM>-a may be aligned with each other or offset. For example, for aligned stepped septums <NUM>-a, the waveguide device <NUM> may include a first column having stepped septum <NUM>-a, an adjacent second column having stepped septums <NUM>-b, a third column adjacent to the second column having stepped septum <NUM>-a, and so on.

Some examples of the waveguide device <NUM> may include a plurality of antenna feeds within respective waveguides of the plurality of first divided waveguides <NUM> and the plurality of second divided waveguides <NUM>. In some examples, the waveguide device <NUM> may include a first waveguide feed network coupled between a first feed port and the plurality of first divided waveguides <NUM> and a second waveguide feed network coupled between a second feed port and the plurality of second divided waveguides <NUM>. These components are illustrated in later Figures.

The components of the waveguide device <NUM> described with respect to <FIG> illustrates the compact, planar shape of the waveguide feed network of the waveguide device <NUM>. Notably, the common port <NUM> may be shared among multiple stepped septums <NUM>. That is, no wall of a common port may separatee the stepped septums <NUM> from each other. Some of the Figures below describe specific structural examples of possible components of a waveguide device or antenna array.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a single element <NUM> of a linear array <NUM> for a dual-polarized antenna array in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The linear array <NUM> may be part of a row of a parallel plate polarizer. The linear array <NUM> may be included in a waveguide device, such as the waveguide device <NUM> of <FIG>, or a component of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> of <FIG>. The linear array <NUM> may be part of an antenna array installed onboard an aircraft, such as aircraft <NUM> of <FIG>, or may be used with other devices or systems. In some examples, the element of the linear array <NUM> may be arranged linearly into a longer linear array, although the elements or arrays of elements may have other shapes or configurations.

The linear array <NUM> may include an upper plate <NUM>-a, which may be an example of the upper plate <NUM> of <FIG>. The linear array <NUM> may also include a lower plate <NUM>-a, which may be an example of the lower plate <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates an example of an end of the linear array <NUM>, which includes a wall <NUM>. The element <NUM> of the linear array <NUM> may include a first stepped septum <NUM> and a second stepped septum <NUM>. For example, the element <NUM> may be considered to include the portion of the linear array <NUM> from the middle of one of a second divided waveguide <NUM>-a to the middle of an adjacent second divided waveguide <NUM>-a. Alternatively, the element <NUM> may be considered to include the portion of the linear array <NUM> from one of the first set of stepped septums <NUM> to a next one of the first set of stepped septums <NUM>. The element <NUM> of the linear array <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> may be repeated.

The first stepped septum <NUM> may be inverted compared to the second stepped septum <NUM>. For example, the first stepped septum <NUM> is oriented <NUM> degrees with respect to the second stepped septum <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the first stepped septum <NUM> may be oriented in a negative Y-axis <NUM> (e.g., the steps face in a direction of the negative Y-axis <NUM>) and the second stepped septum <NUM> may be oriented in a positive Y-axis <NUM> (e.g., the steps face in a direction of the positive Y-axis <NUM>).

The stepped septums <NUM> and <NUM> may have a stepped edge on a leading edge and a flat edge on the other side. The stepped edge may have regular or irregular sized steps. The edges of the steps may be square, rounded, oval, or the like. In some examples, the stepped septums <NUM> and <NUM> have matching steps. In other examples, stepped septums <NUM> and <NUM> may have different steps compared with each other. In other examples, the stepped septums <NUM> and <NUM> may be slanted or curved instead of stepped.

Between the first stepped septum <NUM> and the second stepped septum <NUM>, a first divided waveguide <NUM>-a may be formed. The first divided waveguide <NUM>-a may be associated with a first polarization (e.g., LHCP). The first divided waveguide <NUM>-a may include a first set of opposing walls formed by a first portion of the first surface <NUM> of the upper plate and a first portion of the second surface <NUM> of the lower plate and a second set of opposing walls formed by a portion of the first side surface <NUM> of the first stepped septum <NUM> and a portion of the first side surface <NUM> of the second stepped septum <NUM>. The first side surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> may correspond to a same side of a stepped septum relative to the steps. As shown in <FIG>, the first side surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> may both be on the left side of a stepped septum when oriented as shown by stepped septum <NUM> (e.g., may be a side surface having a normal extending to the negative direction on the X-axis <NUM> when the steps are increasing in Y-axis <NUM> along transition region <NUM>).

A second divided waveguide <NUM>-a may be adjacent to the first divided waveguide <NUM>-a, and formed between the stepped septum <NUM> and another stepped septum oriented like the stepped septum <NUM> on the other side of the stepped septum <NUM>, if the linear array <NUM> were extended. The second divided waveguide <NUM>-a may be associated with a second polarization (e.g., RHCP) different from the first polarization. The second divided waveguide <NUM>-a may include a first set of opposing walls formed by a second portion of the first surface <NUM> of the upper plate and a second portion of the second surface <NUM> of the lower plate and a second set of opposing walls formed by a portion of the second side surface <NUM> of the second stepped septum <NUM> and a portion of the second side surface of an adjacent first stepped septum (not shown). The second side surfaces <NUM> may correspond to a same side of a stepped septum relative to the steps. As shown in <FIG>, the second side surfaces <NUM> may both be on the right side of a stepped septum when oriented as shown by stepped septum <NUM> (e.g., may be a side surface having a normal extending to the positive direction on the X-axis <NUM> when the steps are increasing in Y-axis <NUM> along transition region <NUM>).

Each of the stepped septums <NUM> and <NUM> may have a leading edge that is located at an aperture plane defined by the leading edges of the upper plate <NUM>-a and the lower plate <NUM>-a, as shown in <FIG>. Alternatively, the leading edge may be close to the aperture, but not co-planar with the aperture. For example, the stepped septums <NUM> and <NUM> may be closer to the aperture than a quarter wavelength of the frequency of the antenna array. In other examples, the leading edges of stepped septums <NUM> and <NUM> may be located at different distances to the aperture, including extending beyond the aperture as described in more detail below.

In some examples, the length of a transition region <NUM> of the stepped septums <NUM> and <NUM> may be longer than a dimension <NUM> of the common waveguide (e.g., the distance from the upper plate <NUM>-a to the lower plate <NUM>-a). In other examples, the length of the transition region <NUM> of the stepped septums <NUM> and <NUM> may be less than the dimension <NUM> of the common waveguide. For example, the length of transition region <NUM> may be less than <NUM>/<NUM> or less than <NUM>/<NUM> of the dimension <NUM> of the common waveguide. In other examples, other comparative dimensions may be used.

The designs described herein enable the antenna array to be smaller in various dimensions than conventional antenna arrays for use with the same frequencies. This may reduce the thickness (e.g., the axial length of the assembly along the Z-axis <NUM>), which saves on the overall mass for the antenna array. Additionally, or alternatively, by omitting internal walls to define individual common waveguides for each septum polarizer, the antenna array may be smaller along the X-axis <NUM>. Furthermore, the techniques described herein provide an arrangement of waveguides that is identical and regular, which improves simplicity for attaching back-end assembly components, such as waveguide feed networks and circuit boards, to the waveguides.

Some examples provide a rectangular organization of interfaces that can be used in a number of different beamforming ways. For example, a waveguide power divider network may be used with the antenna array. In other examples, conventional waveguide designs may be used with the regular waveguides. Furthermore, the regular waveguides may be compatible with printed circuit boards. For example, active components (e.g., circuit cards) may be located directly behind the radiators. These active components may include low noise amplifiers, high power amplifiers, and transmit amplifiers. Phased control devices that can be used to steer a beam over a range of angles may be used. The active components may also be used to line up or to co-phase the apertures.

<FIG> illustrates another example of a single element of linear array <NUM> for a dual-polarized antenna array in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The linear array <NUM> may be part of a row of a parallel plate polarizer. The linear array <NUM> may be included in a waveguide device, such as the waveguide device <NUM> of <FIG>, or a component of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> of <FIG>. The linear array <NUM> may be an example of the linear array <NUM> of <FIG>. The linear array <NUM> may be part of an antenna array installed onboard an aircraft, such as aircraft <NUM> of <FIG>, or may be used with other devices or systems. In some examples, the element of the linear array <NUM> may be arranged linearly into a longer linear array, although the elements or arrays of elements may have other shapes or configurations.

The linear array <NUM> may include similar structures to that of the linear array <NUM>, such as an upper plate <NUM>-b, a lower plate <NUM>-b, a wall <NUM>-a, a first stepped septum <NUM>-a, and a second stepped septum <NUM>-a. Additionally, the upper plate may include one or more sidewall features <NUM>-a and the lower plate may include one or more sidewall features <NUM>-b (referred to herein as sidewall features <NUM>). The sidewall features <NUM> may be configured to lower the waveguide cutoff frequency or alter the propagation constant (e.g., of the TE<NUM> mode), which may provide improved performance or design flexibility for an antenna array of stacked linear arrays <NUM>. The sidewall features <NUM> may be located within a transition region <NUM>-a of the stepped septums and be formed along multiple rows of linear arrays <NUM>. Alternatively, one or more sidewall features <NUM> may be located towards the aperture from the transition region <NUM>-a, or within the divided waveguides. In addition to recesses or grooves as shown in <FIG>, the sidewall features <NUM> may include protrusions into the waveguides. Although the cross-sections of the sidewall features shown are semicircular, the recesses or protrusions may be of any shape (e.g., rectangular, square, triangular, trapezoidal, oval, elliptical, etc.) and may have different dimensions than shown in <FIG>.

The stepped septums <NUM>-a and <NUM>-a may also have cut-outs <NUM>, which also may modify propagation of the modes of the antenna to improve properties (e.g., cutoff frequencies, axial ratio). In some examples, a plurality of dielectric inserts may be located at least partially in the transition region <NUM>-a of the stepped septums <NUM>-a and <NUM>-a. A transition region <NUM>-a may be a region of the stepped portion of a stepped septum that transitions from the septum being in contact with one plate and not the other and to being in contact with both plates. In some examples, a transition region <NUM>-a for each of the stepped septums has a length in an axial dimension (e.g., Z axis <NUM>) orthogonal to a plane of an aperture of the dual-polarized antenna array that is less than a wavelength of a carrier frequency for the dual-polarized antenna array. In some examples, a dielectric insert <NUM> may be inserted into the transition region <NUM>-a. The dielectric insert <NUM> may at least partially fill divided waveguides <NUM>-a and <NUM>-a (e.g., may partially or fully extend between the opposing walls of the divided waveguides <NUM>-a and <NUM>-a along the X-axis <NUM> or the Y-axis <NUM>), and may extend at least partially into transition region <NUM>-a of the stepped septums <NUM>-a and <NUM>-a.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a partial linear array <NUM> for a dual-polarized antenna array in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The partial linear array <NUM> may be part of a row of a parallel plate polarizer. The partial linear array <NUM> may be included in a waveguide device, such as the waveguide device <NUM> of <FIG>, or a component of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> of <FIG>. The partial linear array <NUM> may include an element <NUM>-a of a linear array, such as that shown in <FIG>. The linear array <NUM> may be part of an antenna array installed onboard an aircraft, such as aircraft <NUM> of <FIG>, or may be used with other devices or systems. In some examples, the partial linear array <NUM> may be arranged linearly into a longer linear array, although the elements or arrays of elements may have other shapes or configurations.

The partial linear array <NUM> includes a lower plate <NUM>-c, which may be an example of the lower plate <NUM> of <FIG>, <FIG>. The partial linear array <NUM> may also include an upper plate, however, the upper plate is not shown in <FIG> through 4C to illustrate the interior structure of the partial linear arrays more clearly. <FIG> illustrates an example of an end of the partial linear array <NUM>. The element of the partial linear array <NUM> may include a plurality of stepped septums <NUM>, which may include a set of first stepped septums <NUM>-b and a set of second stepped septums <NUM>-b. The set of first stepped septum <NUM>-b may be inverted compared to the set of second stepped septum <NUM>-b. For example, the set of first stepped septums <NUM>-b may be oriented <NUM> degrees along the Y-axis <NUM> with respect to the set of second stepped septums <NUM>-b.

In some examples, a first divided waveguide of the plurality of first divided waveguides <NUM>-a may share a first stepped septum <NUM>-b of the plurality of stepped septums with a second divided waveguide of the plurality of second divided waveguides <NUM>-a and may share a second stepped septum <NUM>-b of the plurality of stepped septums with a third divided waveguide of the plurality of second divided waveguides <NUM>-a, where the first divided waveguide is adjacent to the second divided waveguide and the third divided waveguide. Similarly, the second divided waveguide of the plurality of second divided waveguides <NUM>-a may share a third stepped septum <NUM>-b of the plurality of stepped septums with a fourth divided waveguide of the plurality of first divided waveguides <NUM>-a, where the fourth divided waveguide is adjacent to the second divided waveguide.

<FIG> illustrates another example of a partial linear array <NUM> for a dual-polarized antenna array in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The partial linear array <NUM> may be part of a row of a parallel plate polarizer. The partial linear array <NUM> may be included in a waveguide device, such as the waveguide device <NUM> of <FIG>, or a component of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> of <FIG>. The partial linear array <NUM> may include an element <NUM>-b of a linear array, such as that shown in <FIG>. The linear array <NUM> may be part of an antenna array installed onboard an aircraft, such as aircraft <NUM> of <FIG>, or may be used with other devices or systems. In some examples, the partial linear array <NUM> may be arranged linearly into a longer linear array, although the elements or arrays of elements may have other shapes or configurations.

Like <FIG> shows the partial linear array <NUM> having a lower plate <NUM>-d and no upper plate. <FIG> illustrates an example of the partial linear array <NUM> including sidewall features <NUM>-c in the lower plate <NUM>-b, such as in <FIG>. The partial linear array <NUM> may include a set of first stepped septums <NUM>-c and a set of second stepped septums <NUM>-c.

<FIG> illustrates an additional example of a partial linear array <NUM> for a dual-polarized antenna array in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The partial linear array <NUM> may be an example of the partial linear arrays <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of <FIG>. The partial linear array <NUM> illustrates an upper plate <NUM>-c in addition to the lower plate <NUM>-f.

<FIG> illustrates an additional example of a partial linear array <NUM> for a dual-polarized antenna array in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The partial linear array <NUM> illustrates another view of a partial linear array without showing a wall at an end of the linear array for clarity.

The first set of stepped septums <NUM>-f may have a transition region <NUM>-a, which may have a same length as a corresponding transition region for the second set of stepped septums <NUM>-d. As shown in FIG. 5C, the transition region may end (e.g., in a negative direction along Z-axis <NUM>) at a point that is coplanar with the leading edges of the upper plate <NUM>-d and lower plate <NUM>-g. Alternatively, the transition region may end in front of (e.g., a location that is more positive along the Z-axis <NUM>), or may end behind (e.g., a location that is more negative along the Z-axis <NUM>). In some examples, the first set of stepped septums <NUM>-f may have a length different from the second set of stepped septums <NUM>-f.

In some examples, the partial linear array <NUM> may include a plurality of dielectric inserts located at least partially in a transition region of the plurality of stepped septums. The transition region for each of the stepped septums may have a length in an axial dimension orthogonal to a plane of an aperture of the dual-polarized antenna array that is less than a wavelength of a carrier frequency for the dual-polarized antenna array. In some examples, the length is less than a dimension of the partial linear array <NUM> between the upper plate <NUM>-d and lower plate <NUM>-g (e.g., a height of the divided waveguides along the Y-axis <NUM>).

<FIG> illustrates an example stepped septum structure <NUM> in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The stepped septum structure <NUM> may be part of a waveguide device as described herein, and <FIG> provides a partial view. The stepped septum structure <NUM> may include a first set of stepped septums <NUM>-e and a second set of stepped septums <NUM>-e. The first set of stepped septums <NUM>-e and the second set of stepped septums <NUM>-e may formed from a single sheet of material that includes multiple stepped sections for an equivalent number of rows of a linear array. The first set of stepped septums <NUM>-e and the second set of stepped septums <NUM>-e may be fitted into a plurality of slots <NUM> in a plate <NUM>.

The plate <NUM> may include a first surface <NUM> and a second, opposite surface <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates how the first surface <NUM> of the plate <NUM> may be part of a first linear array and the second surface <NUM> of the plate <NUM> may be part of a second linear array. The plate <NUM> may function as an upper plate for the first linear array and as a lower plate for the second linear array. The stepped septum structure <NUM> shows an example where the stepped septums are aligned between different rows of the linear arrays in an antenna array. In other examples, other configurations are used. For example, the plurality of stepped septums for one of the pair of adjacent parallel plate polarizers are aligned with the plurality of stepped septums for another one of the pair of adjacent parallel plate polarizers in a dimension parallel to the upper and lower plates of the first parallel plate polarizer.

The stepped septum structure <NUM> illustrates a plurality of parallel assemblies, wherein each parallel assembly comprises a stepped septum from each of the plurality of parallel plate polarizers. In some examples, the parallel plate polarizer is constructed using an additive manufacturing technique.

In some examples, the dual-polarized antenna array includes a plurality of first plates comprising upper and lower plates of the plurality of parallel plate polarizers, each of the plurality of first plates having slots along a first edge. The dual-polarized antenna array may also include a plurality of second plates, each of the plurality of second plates comprising stepped septums from a plurality of rows of the plurality of parallel plate polarizers, and each of the plurality of second plates inserted into the slots of the plurality of first plates. Each of the plurality of first and second plates may be formed in a single workpiece from metal (e.g., stamped sheet metal). The first and second plates may be fit together to form the dual-polarized antenna array.

As shown in <FIG>, the parallel upper and lower plates may run horizontally, with the stepped septums may run vertically. This structure may form a plurality of first divided waveguides <NUM>-b and a plurality of second divided waveguides <NUM>-b. In passive array examples, one or more feed networks (not shown) may be coupled with the plurality of first divided waveguides <NUM>-b and the plurality of second divided waveguides <NUM>-b. In active array examples, a plurality of circuit cards may be included, wherein the circuit cards are perpendicular to the plane formed by the upper and lower plates and the stepped septums. The circuit cards may be coupled to the plurality of first divided waveguides <NUM>-b and the plurality of second divided waveguides <NUM>-b, which may be snapped in or otherwise fitted together.

The forming of the single workpiece for each column of stepped septums for the antenna array as illustrated here may save manufacturing costs and time, reduce the amount of material used to make the antenna array, and increase simplicity of the design.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a <NUM> element linear array <NUM> for a dual-polarized antenna array in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The <NUM> element linear array <NUM> may be an example of part of a waveguide device as described herein, and may include one or more components of the linear arrays as described herein. The <NUM> element linear array <NUM> may include a plurality of stepped septums that are alternatively inverted. The <NUM> element linear array <NUM> may include sidewall features in the plates and/or cutouts in transition regions of the plurality of stepped septums. Copies of the <NUM> element linear array <NUM> may be stacked upon each other to form a larger antenna array. In some examples, copies of the <NUM> element linear array <NUM> are stacked but share plates between them. In some examples, dielectric inserts may be located in the cutouts of the plurality of stepped septums.

<FIG> illustrates another example of a <NUM> element linear array <NUM> for a dual-polarized antenna array in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The <NUM> element linear array <NUM> may be an example of part of a waveguide device as described herein, and may include one or more components of the linear arrays as described herein. The <NUM> element linear array <NUM> may include a plurality of stepped septums that are alternatively inverted (e.g., along the Y-axis <NUM>). Copies of the <NUM> element linear array <NUM> may be stacked upon each other to form a larger antenna array. In some examples, copies of the <NUM> element linear array <NUM> are stacked but share plates between them. In the example of the <NUM> element linear array <NUM>, the plurality of stepped septums do not extend beyond the plates.

In other examples, the linear arrays <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of <FIG> may include different numbers of elements. The linear arrays <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed via manufacturing techniques described herein.

<FIG> illustrates an example of stacked linear arrays <NUM> for a dual-polarized antenna array in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The stacked linear arrays <NUM> may include any two linear arrays described herein stacked together. As described herein, stacked together may refer to the linear arrays being adjacent to each other, and they may be formed using the manufacturing techniques described herein. For example, the stacked linear arrays <NUM> may not be two separate arrays that are stacked together, but rather formed together in a stacked configuration.

In the example of <FIG>, the stacked linear arrays <NUM> includes a plurality of parallel plate polarizers <NUM>, each with <NUM> elements. In other examples, other numbers of parallel plate polarizers or linear arrays may be used, which may have different numbers of elements. In some examples, the stacked linear arrays <NUM> form a rectangle or a square shape. In other examples, other shapes are formed, such as curved shapes, or shapes made to accommodate a structure on which the stacked linear arrays <NUM> may be mounted on or part of.

In some examples, the two stacked linear array <NUM> form a portion of a dual-polarized antenna array that includes a plurality of parallel plate polarizers comprising the parallel plate polarizer, and where, for at least a subset of the plurality of parallel plate polarizers the upper plate of one of a pair of adjacent parallel plate polarizers and the lower plate of the other one of the pair of adjacent parallel plate polarizers are a same plate. The two stacked linear array <NUM> may be repeated to form a larger array.

In some examples, the plurality of stepped septums for the one of the pair of adjacent parallel plate polarizers are aligned with the plurality of stepped septums for the other one of the pair of adjacent parallel plate polarizers in a dimension parallel to the upper and lower plates of the first parallel plate polarizer. In other examples, the plurality of stepped septums for the one of the pair of adjacent parallel plate polarizers may be offset from the plurality of stepped septums for the other one of the pair of adjacent parallel plate polarizers in a dimension parallel to the upper and lower plates of the plurality of parallel plate polarizers. For example, a stepped septum of a first set of stepped septums for one of the pair of adjacent parallel plate polarizers may be aligned (e.g., in an X-axis <NUM>) with a stepped septum of a second set of stepped septums (e.g., inverted along the Y-axis from the first set of stepped septums) in the other one of the pair of adjacent parallel plate polarizers.

In some examples, the two stacked linear array <NUM> may include the plurality of parallel plate polarizers <NUM>, where for at least a subset of the plurality of parallel plate polarizers the upper plate of one of a pair of adjacent parallel plate polarizers and the lower plate of an other one of the pair of adjacent parallel plate polarizers are a same plate <NUM>. The two stacked linear array <NUM> may include a first common port <NUM>-a and a second common port <NUM>-b.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a portion of a dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The portion of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may include any number of linear arrays described herein stacked together, such as the linear arrays <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG>, or the linear array <NUM> of <FIG>. The portion of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may include a housing <NUM> that provides structural support for the linear arrays. The portion of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be part of a waveguide device as described herein.

<FIG> illustrate an example of a dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be an example of part of a waveguide device as described herein, and may include one or more components of the linear arrays as described herein. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may include a plurality of stepped septums that are alternatively inverted. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may include slots in the plates and cutouts in the plurality of stepped septums. The slots may be used to put the planar parts of the antenna array together. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may include a plurality of linear arrays arranged in columns. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be formed using the manufacturing process described with respect to <FIG>. For example, the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be formed from multiple first plates <NUM> having slots <NUM>, multiple second plates <NUM> fit into alternating slots <NUM> of the first plates and forming the first set of septums <NUM>-f for each row of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM>, and multiple third plates <NUM> fit into the other alternating slots <NUM> of the first plates and forming the second set of septums <NUM>-f for each row of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM>. In some examples, the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may further include sidewall features in the plates and/or cutouts in transition regions of the plurality of stepped septums.

The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may include a plurality of polarizer unit cells. Each polarizer unit cell may include an upper surface, a lower surface, a first septum, and a second septum. The lower surface may oppose the upper surface, wherein a first edge of the upper surface and a first edge of the lower surface form an air interface plane of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM>. The first septum may have first and second surfaces that are perpendicular to the air interface plane and an edge feature comprising one or more surfaces, wherein normals of the one or more surfaces of the edge feature of the first septum are parallel to the first and second surfaces of the first septum, and wherein, at a first side of a transition region of the first septum, the edge feature of the first septum contacts the upper surface and a gap is present between the edge feature of the first septum and the lower surface, and, at a second side of the transition region, the edge feature of the first septum contacts the upper surface and the lower surface. Similarly, the second septum may have first and second surfaces that are perpendicular to the air interface plane and an edge feature comprising one or more surfaces, wherein normals of the one or more surfaces of the second edge feature are parallel to the first and second surfaces of the second septum, and wherein, at a first side of a transition region of the second septum, the edge feature of the second septum contacts the lower surface and a gap is present between the edge feature of the second septum and the upper surface, and, at a second side of the transition region, the edge feature of the second septum contacts the upper surface and the lower surface. In the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM>, a first divided waveguide may be formed by a first portion of the upper surface, a first portion of the lower surface, a portion of the first surface of the first septum and a portion of the first surface of the second septum. A second divided waveguide may be formed by a second portion of the upper surface, a second portion of the lower surface, a portion of the second surface of the second septum and a portion of a second surface of the second septum of an adjacent polarizer unit cell.

<FIG> illustrate an example of a dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be an example of part of a waveguide device as described herein, and may include one or more components of the linear arrays as described herein. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may include a plurality of stepped septums that are alternatively inverted and form stacked linear arrays. In the example of <FIG>, a <NUM> row array is illustrated with a total of <NUM> elements. In other examples, other numbers of rows and elements may be used to form the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a portion of the dual-polarized antenna array that may couple divided waveguides of a dual-polarized antenna array in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The portion of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> shows a slice of a dual-polarized antenna array that includes divided waveguides for one polarization and illustrates waveguide feed network <NUM> including a first set of combiner/dividers <NUM> and a second set of combiner/dividers <NUM>.

The portion of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> shows the combiner/dividers located behind the antenna aperture and the linear arrays described herein. The portion of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may pertain to a partial column (e.g., one of two septums of an element unit) of multiple linear arrays as described herein.

The portion of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may include a set of first divided waveguides <NUM>-c. The waveguide feed network <NUM> may connect the set of first divided waveguides <NUM>-c across rows of the dual-polarized antenna array and may be part of a larger waveguide feed network. The waveguide feed network <NUM> may enable propagation of electromagnetic waves through the set of first divided waveguides <NUM>-c to antenna feed elements or additional stages of a waveguide feed network. The portion of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> shows multiple (e.g., four) divided waveguides <NUM>-c combined along Y-axis <NUM>. Additional stages of a waveguide feed network may couple waveguide feed networks <NUM> along the Y-axis <NUM> or along the X-axis <NUM>. The portion of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be constructed by additive or subtractive manufacturing techniques (e.g., milling, 3D printing), and may be a planar assembly. The portion of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be combined with additional planar assemblies to form a dual-polarized antenna array. It should be understood that a portion <NUM> of coupling <NUM> that is in front of the septums <NUM>-g is shown as manufactured prior to assembly and removed for operation of the antenna array (e.g., milled away).

<FIG> illustrates another example of a portion of the dual-polarized antenna array that may couple divided waveguides or a waveguide feed network of a dual-polarized antenna array in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The portion of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> shows a slice of a dual-polarized antenna array that includes divided waveguides for one polarization and illustrates multiple levels of waveguide combiner/dividers. The portion of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> shows the combiner/dividers <NUM> located behind the antenna aperture and the linear arrays described herein. The portion of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may pertain to a partial column (e.g., one of two septums of an element unit) of multiple linear arrays as described herein.

The portion of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may include a set of first divided waveguides <NUM>-d. The portion of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may connect the set of first divided waveguides <NUM>-d together using waveguide feed network <NUM>-a. The portion of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may enable propagation of electromagnetic waves between a common port <NUM> and the set of first divided waveguides <NUM>-d using the feed network <NUM>-a. While the structure of the set of first divided waveguides <NUM>-d and the waveguide feed network <NUM>-a are repeating, <FIG> points to just one of each region for clarity. The portion of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be constructed by additive or subtractive manufacturing techniques (e.g., milling, 3D printing), and may be a planar assembly. The portion of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be combined with additional planar assemblies to form a dual-polarized antenna array.

<FIG> illustrates another example of a waveguide feed network between divided waveguides and a common port of a dual-polarized antenna array in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The waveguide feed network <NUM>-a illustrated in <FIG> may include a full array of several stacked linear arrays, and may show an alternative orientation for the septums. For example, the linear arrays may run along a Y axis <NUM> and be stacked along an X axis <NUM>. <FIG> provides an example of horizontal septums, with combiner networks for each polarization combining horizontally (e.g., along the X axis <NUM>) across the array prior to a vertical combination (not shown).

The waveguide feed network <NUM>-a may include a set of first divided waveguides <NUM>-e and a set of second divided waveguides <NUM>-e, which may alternate down a row (e.g., along Y-axis <NUM>) and be consistent along a column (e.g., along X-axis <NUM>). The waveguide feed network <NUM>-a may connect the set of first divided waveguides <NUM>-e and the set of second divided waveguides <NUM>-e with corresponding common ports (not shown). The waveguide feed network <NUM>-a may enable propagation of electromagnetic waves between the common ports associated with different polarizations and the set of first divided waveguides <NUM>-e and the set of second divided waveguides <NUM>-e. The waveguide feed network <NUM>-a may include a first waveguide feed network <NUM> associated with the first set of divided waveguides <NUM>-e. While the structure of the set of first divided waveguides <NUM>-e, the set of second divided waveguides <NUM>-e, and the combiner/dividers <NUM> are repeating, <FIG> points to just one of each for clarity.

The waveguide feed network <NUM>-a illustrates an example of an air model of a waveguide combiner/divider. The air model may be defined by one or more assemblies that are constructed with additive or subtractive manufacturing methods (e.g., milling, 3D printing).

<FIG> illustrates an example of a back perspective view of a waveguide feed network <NUM>-b for a dual-polarized antenna array in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. <FIG> shows an air model of a back perspective view of the waveguide feed network <NUM>-b, which illustrates a first waveguide feed network <NUM>-a coupled with a first set of divided waveguides <NUM>-f and a second waveguide feed network <NUM>-b coupled with a second set of divided waveguides <NUM>-f. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may include a plurality of elevation combiners <NUM> and a dual-duplexing filter assembly <NUM>. In some examples, the dual-duplexing filter assembly <NUM> includes two common ports, including a common port associated with a first polarization (e.g., and the first set of divided waveguides <NUM>-f), and a second common port associated with a second polarization (e.g., and the second set of divided waveguides <NUM>-f). In some examples, the back perspective view of the waveguide feed network <NUM>-b may show vertical combiner/dividers of the antenna array views shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a front perspective view of a waveguide feed network for a dual-polarized antenna array in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. <FIG> shows an air model of a front perspective view of the waveguide feed network <NUM> that shows combiner/dividers <NUM> coupled with a first set of divided waveguides <NUM>-g or a second set of divided waveguides <NUM>-g. In the example shown in <FIG>, a first set of four divided waveguides may be combined vertically (e.g., along Y-axis <NUM>) and then may be combined horizontally (e.g., along X-axis <NUM>). The example of <FIG> illustrates a waveguide feed network for a dual-polarized antenna array having septums arranged in a vertical orientation.

<FIG> illustrates another example of a back perspective view of a waveguide feed network for a dual-polarized antenna array in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. <FIG> shows an air model of a back perspective view of the waveguide feed network <NUM>, which illustrates multiple stages of combiner/dividers coupled with a first set of divided waveguides <NUM>-h or a second set of divided waveguides <NUM>-h. For example, waveguide feed network <NUM> may include, for each polarization, a first stage <NUM>, a second stage <NUM>, and a third stage <NUM>. The first stage may generally have combiner/dividers oriented along the Z-axis <NUM> and the combiner/dividers may be of a first type (e.g., H-plane combiner/dividers), the second stage <NUM> may generally have combiner/dividers oriented along the Z-axis <NUM> and the combiner/dividers may be of a second type (e.g., E-plane combiner/dividers), and the third stage <NUM> may have combiner/dividers oriented along the X-axis <NUM> and Y-axis <NUM> (e.g., may be in a plane defined by the X-axis and the Y-axis) and the combiner/dividers may be of the first type (e.g., H-plane combiner/dividers). In some examples, the back perspective view of the waveguide feed network <NUM> may correspond to the front perspective view of the waveguide feed network <NUM> of <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of an internal side view of a dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be an example of a scanning dual-polarized antenna array. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be included in a waveguide device, such as the waveguide device <NUM> of <FIG>, or a component of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> of <FIG>. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be part of an antenna array installed onboard an aircraft, such as aircraft <NUM> of <FIG>, or may be used with other devices or systems. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be part of any of the example antenna arrays described herein.

The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> shows a side view that illustrates an interface <NUM> between a plurality of circuit cards <NUM> and a first set of divided waveguides <NUM>-i and a second set of divided waveguides <NUM>-i. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> has a plurality of apertures <NUM>, the first set of divided waveguides <NUM>-i and the second set of divided waveguides <NUM>-i, coupled to a plurality of interfaces <NUM>. The interfaces <NUM> provide a way to connect antenna feeds from the divided waveguides <NUM>-i, <NUM>-i, to a plurality of circuit cards <NUM>. That is, the interfaces <NUM> provide connection between the plurality of circuit cards <NUM> and the first set of divided waveguides <NUM>-i and the second set of divided waveguides <NUM>-i (e.g., using antenna feeds that are part of the circuit cards or attached to the circuit cards and disposed in the divided waveguides). Each of the plurality of circuit cards <NUM> may be supported by one of a plurality of shelves <NUM>. In some examples, the plurality of circuit cards <NUM> may be printed circuit boards.

The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may also include a distribution circuit <NUM>. The distribution circuit <NUM> may be used in conjunction with other distribution circuits in a larger antenna array. In one example, the distribution circuit <NUM> may be a quadrant card that can be used with three other cards in a larger antenna array. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may also include a plug <NUM>.

In some examples, because there are two polarizations present in the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM>, there may be two elevation combiners as part of the waveguide feed network <NUM>-f. An elevation combiner card (not shown) may electronically process the waveforms in the two elevation combiners.

In some examples, each of the plurality of circuit cards <NUM> is coupled with a subset of the plurality of the antenna feeds. In some examples, each of the plurality of circuit cards <NUM> comprises an electrical beam forming network <NUM>. In some examples, the electrical beam forming network <NUM> of the each of the plurality of circuit cards <NUM> comprises a plurality of beamforming circuits <NUM>, each beamforming circuit associated with one or more of the antenna feeds. For example, each beamforming circuit could be coupled with several adjacent feeds. In some examples, the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may have a combination of waveguide feed networks and beamforming circuits <NUM>. For example, several adjacent divided waveguides may be combined with a feed network and share an antenna feed fed by a beamforming circuit. In some examples, the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may support multi-beam applications.

In some examples, the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may also include a plurality of distribution circuits, such as the distribution circuit <NUM>, wherein each of the plurality of distribution circuits is coupled with at least a subset of the plurality of circuit cards <NUM> and provides a first signal associated with the first polarization and a second signal associated with the second polarization to the at least the subset of the plurality of circuit cards <NUM>. In some examples, the first polarization is a first circular polarization and the second polarization is a second circular polarization. In other examples where the septums become an OMT, the first polarization is a first linear polarization and the second polarization is a second linear polarization.

In some examples, each of the plurality of circuit cards <NUM> is coupled with the subset of the plurality of antenna feeds that are within the respective waveguides of the plurality of first divided waveguides <NUM>-i and the plurality of second divided waveguides <NUM>-i for one parallel plate polarizer of the plurality of parallel plate polarizers.

In some examples, each of the plurality of circuit cards <NUM> comprises a plurality of ADCs and a plurality of DACs, and wherein each of the plurality of ADCs and the plurality of DACs is coupled with one or more of the plurality of antenna feeds.

<FIG> illustrates an example front perspective view of a scanning dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be an example of a dual-polarized antenna array. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be included in a waveguide device, such as the waveguide device <NUM> of <FIG>, or a component of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> of <FIG>. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be part of an antenna array installed onboard an aircraft, such as aircraft <NUM> of <FIG>, or may be used with other devices or systems. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be part of any of the example antenna arrays described herein. For example, the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be an aspect or include one or more aspects of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> of <FIG>.

The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> includes a first set of divided waveguides <NUM>-j and a second set of divided waveguides <NUM>-j coupled to a plurality of circuit cards <NUM>-a. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may include a housing <NUM>-b that supports the linear arrays that are included in the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example back perspective view of a digital dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be an example of a dual-polarized antenna array. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be included in a waveguide device, such as the waveguide device <NUM> of <FIG>, or a component of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> of <FIG>. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be part of an antenna array installed onboard an aircraft, such as aircraft <NUM> of <FIG>, or may be used with other devices or systems. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be part of any of the example antenna arrays described herein. For example, the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be an aspect or include one or more aspects of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> of <FIG> or the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> of <FIG>.

The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may include a first set of divided waveguides and a second set of divided waveguides coupled to a plurality of circuit cards <NUM>-b. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may include a housing <NUM>-c that supports the linear arrays that are included in the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM>. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may include one or more plugs <NUM>-a for electronically connecting the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> to another device, such as a processor, or to electrical power. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may also include amplifiers, one or more element printer wiring assemblies (PWA), one or more distribution circuits, and a tile control PWA, such as those shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates another example back perspective view of a digital dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be an example of a dual-polarized antenna array. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be included in a waveguide device, such as the waveguide device <NUM> of <FIG>, or a component of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> of <FIG>. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be part of an antenna array installed onboard an aircraft, such as aircraft <NUM> of <FIG>, or may be used with other devices or systems. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be part of any of the example antenna arrays described herein. For example, the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be an aspect or include one or more aspects of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> of <FIG> or the dual-polarized antenna arrays <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>.

The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> includes a first set of divided waveguides and a second set of divided waveguides coupled to a plurality of circuit cards <NUM>-c. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may include a housing <NUM>-d that supports the linear arrays that are included in the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM>. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may include one or more plugs <NUM>-a.

<FIG> illustrates an example front perspective view of a digital dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be an example of a dual-polarized antenna array. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be included in a waveguide device, such as the waveguide device <NUM> of <FIG>, or a component of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> of <FIG>. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be part of an antenna array installed onboard an aircraft, such as aircraft <NUM> of <FIG>, or may be used with other devices or systems. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be part of any of the example antenna arrays described herein. For example, the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be an aspect or include one or more aspects of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>. The digital dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be one tile of a larger antenna array.

The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> includes a plurality of linear arrays <NUM> that include first sets of divided waveguides <NUM>-k and second sets of divided waveguides <NUM>-k coupled to a plurality of circuit cards <NUM>-d. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> illustrates a plurality of parallel assemblies, wherein each parallel assembly comprises a stepped septum from each of the plurality of parallel plate polarizers and at least a portion of a combiner/divider for the first set of divided waveguides and the second set of divided waveguides. In some examples, the parallel plate polarizer is constructed using an additive manufacturing technique, sheet metal plates, or stacked milled assemblies.

<FIG> illustrates an example back perspective view of a digital dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be included in a waveguide device, such as the waveguide device <NUM> of <FIG>, or a component of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> of <FIG>. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be part of an antenna array installed onboard an aircraft, such as aircraft <NUM> of <FIG>, or may be used with other devices or systems. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be part of any of the example antenna arrays described herein. For example, the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be an aspect or include one or more aspects of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> of <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. The digital dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be one tile of a larger antenna array.

The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> includes a plurality of linear arrays <NUM>-a that include first sets of divided waveguides <NUM>-l and second sets of divided waveguides <NUM>-l coupled to a plurality of circuit cards <NUM>-e. In some examples, the parallel plate polarizer is constructed using an additive manufacturing technique, sheet metal plates, or stacked milled assemblies.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram of an example scanning dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The digital dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be included in a waveguide device, such as the waveguide device <NUM> of <FIG>, or a component of the dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> of <FIG>. The digital dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be part of an antenna array installed onboard an aircraft, such as aircraft <NUM> of <FIG>, or may be used with other devices or systems. The dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be part of any of the example antenna arrays described herein. For example, the digital dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may be an aspect or include one or more aspects of the digital dual-polarized antenna array <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>.

The digital dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may include a plurality of element printed wiring assemblies (PWAs) <NUM>, a plurality of first distribution PWAs <NUM>, and a second distribution PWA <NUM>. Each first distribution PWA <NUM> may be connected to a plurality of element PWAs <NUM>. The first distribution PWA may be an example of the distribution circuit <NUM> of <FIG>. The second distribution PWA <NUM> may be referred to as a tile control circuit, and may be connected to a plurality of distribution PWAs <NUM>. The number of elements PWAs <NUM> and first distribution PWAs <NUM> included in the digital dual-polarized antenna array <NUM> may depend on the size of the digital dual-polarized antenna array <NUM>. In some examples, the elements PWAs <NUM>, the first distribution PWAs <NUM>, and the second distribution PWA <NUM> may be one or more aspects of the digital circuitry included on the back side of the antenna arrays described herein.

The element PWA <NUM> may include plurality of antenna elements <NUM> that are each associated with a polarization, such as a circular polarization or a linear polarization (RHCP and LHCP are illustrated as an example in <FIG>). For example, a first antenna element <NUM> may be associated with a first polarization <NUM> and a second antenna element <NUM> may be associated with a second polarization <NUM>. Each antenna waveguide (via the antenna elements <NUM>) may be connected to a high powered amplifier (HPA) <NUM>, which are part of transmitting antenna arrays (TXM) <NUM>. Each TXM <NUM> may include two transmitters, and may include one or more DACs or upconverters. As shown in the example of <FIG>, each element PWA <NUM> includes ten TXMs <NUM>. In other examples, other numbers of TXMs <NUM> may be included in an element PWA <NUM>. The number of TXMs <NUM> may depend on the size of the digital dual-polarized antenna array <NUM>. The element PWA <NUM> may also include a fanout circuit <NUM> to connect to the distribution PWA <NUM>. As described herein, there may be many ports on the back side of the digital dual-polarized antenna array <NUM>.

In some examples, the element PWA <NUM> may provide a first signal associated with the first polarization and a second signal associated with the second polarization to the at least the subset of the first distribution PWA <NUM>.

The distribution PWA <NUM> may include four digital beamforming (DBF) circuits <NUM>. The DBF circuits <NUM> may be used to control the beam direction of the digital dual-polarized antenna array <NUM>. Each DBF circuit <NUM> may be connected to one or more element PWAs <NUM>. The DBF circuits <NUM> may each independently control the phase and/or amplitude of signals transmitted via the antenna elements to which they are connected on the element PWAs <NUM>. The distribution PWA <NUM> includes a fanout <NUM> for connecting to the second distribution PWA <NUM>. In some examples, the DBF circuits <NUM> may connect to a number of antenna elements driven by each element PWA <NUM>. The DBF circuits <NUM> may independently control each element of an antenna array as described herein. For example, the DBF circuits <NUM> may control each element in order to combine two circularly polarized signals to make a linear polarized signal at any angle. For example, each DBF circuit <NUM> may output more than one signal that are provided to (e.g., via fanout circuit <NUM>) the TXM circuits <NUM>. In some examples, each signal generated by the DBF circuits <NUM> may be sent to more than one TXM circuit <NUM>.

In some examples, there may be tiers of distribution PWAs <NUM> for very large digital dual-polarized antenna arrays <NUM>. In other examples, the distribution PWAs <NUM> may support other numbers of element PWAs <NUM>.

The second distribution PWA <NUM> may be connected two four distribution PWAs, and includes a fanout circuit <NUM> to do so. The second distribution PWA <NUM> includes a frequency reference connector <NUM>, a time synchronization connector <NUM>, an optical connector <NUM>, and a diagnostic connector <NUM>. Each of these connectors may be configured to connect to one or more processors that may instruct the second distribution PWA <NUM> on how to control the digital dual-polarized antenna array <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a flowchart of an example method <NUM> for manufacturing an antenna array in accordance with various embodiments. The method <NUM> may be used to create antenna arrays such as an example of the dual-polarized antenna arrays described in <FIG>. In some examples, a processor may execute one or more sets of codes to control machining equipment to perform the functions described below.

The method <NUM> may include creating a plurality of plates at <NUM>. The plurality of plates may form the upper and lower plates for a linear array. A plate may function as both an upper plate for one linear array and a lower plate for an adjacent linear array. The plurality of plates may include slots in order to seat stepped septums within the plates. Those plates that are upper and lower plates may include as many slots as there are stepped septums for a larger antenna array. In examples of a plated assembly, such as in the example of <FIG>, the plurality of plates <NUM> may also include the septum plates. The septum plates may include two versions with <NUM> degrees opposite orientations, as described herein. Each of the plurality of plates may be formed as a single component. The plurality of plates may be formed from sheet metal. In some examples, the plurality of plates may be formed from metal or a non-conductive material such as plastic that is coated with metal.

At <NUM>, the method <NUM> may include creating a plurality of plates of septums. The septums may be stepped, curved, angular, etc., as described herein. The plates of septums may include a number of stepped septum regions that is the same as a number of rows of the antenna array. For example, if the antenna array is to include <NUM> rows, the plates of septums may include <NUM> stepped septum regions (e.g., one for each linear array). In some examples, the septums may be aligned with each other (e.g., the alignment may be the same between different linear arrays), while in other examples they may be offset from each other. For example, where the septums are aligned, each of the septum regions for one type of plate may have a septum having the same orientation. In the offset example, each of the septum regions for one type of plate may have a septum of the opposite orientation. The number of plates of septums printed may correspond to the number of elements in each linear array. The plurality of septums may be formed from sheet metal. In some examples, the plurality of septums may be formed from a metal or a non-conductive material such as plastic, coated with metal.

At <NUM>, the method <NUM> may further include plating the plates and plates of septums with a conductive material if they were made from a non-conductive material. The conductive material may be metal, for example.

At <NUM>, the method <NUM> may include attaching the plurality of stepped septums to the plates using the slots, wherein adjacent stepped septums alternate in orientation, and wherein the plates form upper and lower plates for a plurality of waveguides. The method <NUM> describes forming plates, other manufacturing processes may be used to form the antenna arrays as described herein, such as 3D printing. <FIG> shows an example of how the plates may be attached together to form a plate assembly. The plate assembly forms a plurality of first sets of divided waveguides and second sets of divided waveguides between the stepped septums and the plates. This may form a grid where circuit cards can be snapped to the grid. There are no walls separating the stepped septums, which provides a degree of freedom in design, manufacturing, and formation of the antenna array. The antenna arrays may be built in a tile format and stacked together.

At <NUM>, in some examples, the method <NUM> may also include attaching the plate assembly to a front side of a waveguide feed network assembly (e.g., for a passive antenna array) or attaching one or more circuit cards to the plate assembly (e.g., for an active antenna array). The waveguide feed network assembly may be positioned to match up with the first and second sets of divided waveguides formed by the plate assembly. In some examples, the waveguide feed network assembly is also 3D printed. In some examples, the circuit cards may be attached to the back side of the waveguide feed network assembly. In additional examples, there could be portions of an antenna array with smaller waveguide feed networks that combine adjacent groups of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc., divided waveguides, that are part of a larger, active antenna array.

For example, due to the nature of software, functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or combinations of any of these.

A non-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that may be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of computer-readable medium.

For example, an example step that is described as "based on condition A" may be based on both a condition A and a condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The term "determine" or "determining" encompasses a wide variety of actions and, therefore, "determining" can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (such as via looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like. Also, "determining" can include receiving (such as receiving information), accessing (such as accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also, "determining" can include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing and other such similar actions.

As used in the description herein, the term "parallel" is not intended to suggest a limitation to precise geometric parallelism. For instance, the term "parallel" as used in the present disclosure is intended to include typical deviations from geometric parallelism relating to such considerations as, for example, manufacturing and assembly tolerances. Furthermore, certain manufacturing process such as molding or casting may require positive or negative drafting, edge chamfers and/or fillets, or other features to facilitate any of the manufacturing, assembly, or operation of various components, in which case certain surfaces may not be geometrically parallel, but may be parallel in the context of the present disclosure.

Similarly, as used in the description herein, the terms "orthogonal" and "perpendicular", when used to describe geometric relationships, are not intended to suggest a limitation to precise geometric perpendicularity. For instance, the terms "orthogonal" and "perpendicular" as used in the present disclosure are intended to include typical deviations from geometric perpendicularity relating to such considerations as, for example, manufacturing and assembly tolerances. Furthermore, certain manufacturing process such as molding or casting may require positive or negative drafting, edge chamfers and/or fillets, or other features to facilitate any of the manufacturing, assembly, or operation of various components, in which case certain surfaces may not be geometrically perpendicular, but may be perpendicular in the context of the present disclosure.

As used in the description herein, the term "orthogonal," when used to describe electromagnetic polarizations, are meant to distinguish two polarizations that are separable. For instance, two linear polarizations that have unit vector directions that are separated by <NUM> degrees can be considered orthogonal. For circular polarizations, two polarizations are considered orthogonal when they share a direction of propagation, but are rotating in opposite directions.

The term "example" used herein means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration," and not "preferred" or "advantageous over other examples. In some instances, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

Claim 1:
A dual-polarized antenna array (<NUM>) comprising:
a parallel plate polarizer (<NUM>), comprising:
an upper plate (<NUM>) having a first surface (<NUM>);
a lower plate (<NUM>) that is parallel to the upper plate and has a second surface (<NUM>) opposing the first surface of the upper plate;
a plurality of stepped septums (<NUM>) extending from the first surface of the upper plate to the second surface of the lower plate, each of the plurality of stepped septums having a first side surface (<NUM>) and a second side surface (<NUM>), the plurality of stepped septums comprising a first set of stepped septums (<NUM>) and a second set of stepped septums (<NUM>) that are inverted relative to the first set of stepped septums;
a plurality of first divided waveguides (<NUM>) associated with a first polarization (<NUM>), each of the plurality of first divided waveguides having a first set of opposing walls (<NUM>) formed by a first portion of the first surface of the upper plate (<NUM>) and a first portion of the second surface of the lower plate (<NUM>) and a second set of opposing walls (<NUM>) formed by a portion of the first side surface of one of the first set of stepped septums (<NUM>) and a portion of the first side surface of one of the second set of stepped septums (<NUM>); and
a plurality of second divided waveguides (<NUM>) associated with a second polarization (<NUM>), each of the plurality of second divided waveguides having a first set of opposing walls (<NUM>) formed by a second portion of the first surface of the upper plate (<NUM>) and a second portion of the second surface of the lower plate (<NUM>) and a second set of opposing walls (<NUM>) formed by a portion of the second side surface of one of the first set of stepped septums (<NUM>) and a portion of the second side surface of one of the second set of stepped septums (<NUM>).