Dual-Frequency, Dual-Polarization Flat-Parabolic-Surface Antennae

Malibu Research has devised a totally new concept for microwave/millimeter antenna beam scanning based on our FLAPS phased-surface technology, which we believe will have major commercialization application to replacement of conventional, pedestal-scanned, parabolic reflectors. By this concept the antenna feed is fixed and only the (non-parabolic) reflector is moved to produce beam scan. This cannot be done with a conventional reflector. The fixed feed eliminates all rotary joints. This and a 2:1 scan magnification greatly simplifies the system, costs, reduces drive system weight and cost, and increases reliability. This technique is particularly applicable to the high gain, many- beamwidth scan requirements of the JSC communications topic requirements. The technique is particularly applicable to millimeter-wave beam scanning and can be configured to produce multiple scanning beams. The proposed SBIR Phase 1 effort will lead to a proof-of-principle demonstration.