Microwave Antenna Types

mWAVE Industries, LLC designs and manufactures reflector antennas and antenna feed systems for a variety of microwave applications including telemetry, satellite tracking, data link, radar, RCS, and test & measurement platforms. We offer prime focus and offset feeds for both single and dual reflector geometries, including shaped beam designs. Single and dual band versions are available with polarization diversity options featuring manual and remote polarization adjustment. mWAVE specializes in conscan, monopulse tracking, and wideband feed systems for data track and surveillance.

SATELLITE ANTENNA

mWAVE satellite antennas are parabolic reflectors designed to receive electromagnetic signals from orbiting satellites, which transmit data transmissions or broadcasts. The parabolic design reflects the signal to the reflectors focal point where a feed horn is mounted for optimal performance. The feed horn gathers the RF signals and transmits’ them to a LNB where it converts the signals from electromagnetic or radio waves to electrical signals and distributes the signals from the downlinked C-band and/or Ku-band to the L-band. These custom designs are used in both fixed and mobile commercial and military applications.

VSAT ANTENNA

A smaller version of the Satellite antenna, these “very small aperture terminal” (VSAT) antennas are also a two-way satellite base station that utilizes a parabolic reflector design that is less than 3 meters. Typically VSAT antennas range in size from 0.7 m to 1.2 m. VSATs utilize satellites in a geosynchronous orbit which relay data from remote terminals to other terminals or master earth station also known as a hub.

VSATs are commonly utilized in all market segments from commercial, government and military applications. VSAT’s most commonly found in use for point-of-sale transactions, RFID data, and SCADA transmissions.  These designs are also utilized in broadband internet access in remote locations, in addition to VoIP or video conference applications. mWAVE VSATs are also used in both fixed and mobile deployments that utilize phased array designs and in mobile maritime communications.

CONSCAN  FEEDS/ANTENNA

mWAVE “conically scanning” feed (conscan) utilizes a circular waveguide horn design. This design allows for wide frequency band coverage in one feed design that covers L & S Bands. The smaller aperture feed design allows for lower aperture blockage and produces higher gain and reduced sidelobes characteristics.  A conscan feed assembly does not exhibit the insertion losses associated with typical feed designs.  mWAVE also has extensive experience in developing 80 GHz conscanning feed / antenna applications.

AIRBORNE ANTENNA

mWAVE’s innovative line of airborne antennas are integrated as communication and radio navigation systems on a variety of airborne platforms. These omnidirectional antennas are part of the data link system associated with communications on aircrafts.  mWAVE’s antennas are used by customers worldwide in military, civilian and commercial aviation segments.  Airborne antenna systems are designed for use in an array of standard commercial, scientific and military bands and custom frequency specific bands are routine to mWAVE. All mWAVE airborne antenna designs are for use in severe environments for years of trouble free operation and optimum efficiency.  The mWAVE engineering groups pride themselves on years of innovative product design & customization capabilities to suit specific customer requirements.

GOES PATCH ANTENNA

mWAVE’s  Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) Patch antenna model MCR03-04-N is a reduced sized patch antenna for use with GOES satellites. The antenna is used for transmitting data being collected by other instruments on platforms that are recording barometer data, air & sea temperature, wind speed & gusts and wind direction along with other information related to oceanographic measurements.  This design has been deployed on hundreds of weather platforms/stations in and around the US that send data that is used for weather tracking/predicting, scientific studies and educational studies applications. This rugged, reduced sized, field proven design is easily mounted and makes a good candidate for a quick deployable/portable/replacement antenna when a critical similar antenna site goes down.

SECTOR ANTENNA

mWAVE’s sectoral antenna designs are available for commercial and custom applications and are engineered to meet your point-to-multipoint base station requirement. Designed for years of trouble free operation, they are lightweight and rugged. Available in a variety of azimuth and elevation sizes to meet your site requirements.

PATCH / PANEL ANTENNA

Directional Flat Panel antenna products are constructed with the same demanding specifications as mWAVE’s / Gabriel parabolic antennas. These panel antennas feature an extremely low profile, ideally suited for concealment in many architectural environments. Easy to install and align panel antennas feature two mount configurations to suit many site mounting requirements.

PARABOLIC GRID ANTENNA

mWAVE / Mark parabolic grids are an ideal solution for customers with tower loading concerns.  The grid designs are rugged, light weight exhibit a reduced windload signature due to the element construction which is perfect for guyed towers and rooftop sites.  These reflectors are constructed with corrosion-resistant aluminum tubular elements formed to a parabolic contour. Each element is attached at the outer channel rim and again to the backstructure.  Installers and operators find them easy to install, align and maintain. mWAVE / Mark grids are the backbone to many broadcast operators as studio to transmitter link (STL) antennas. Typical network operators include broadcast, public safety, utility, pipeline and cable operators.

SOLID PARABOLIC ANTENNA

The mWAVE / Gabriel solid parabolic reflectors are constructed of a premium high grade aluminum alloy. These spun reflectors are made to the strictest tolerances for optimum RF performance which customers have come to expect from mWAVE and Gabriel products. Select reflector designs feature a reinforced rims, back rings in some cases back frame struts for added structural integrity for severe environment or deployable applications.  All antenna mounts offer adjustment mechanisms for smooth precise alignment in a compact tower interface.  These solid parabolic designs are the backbone of countless microwave hops worldwide.

HIGH PERFORMANCE PARABOLIC ANTENNA

mWAVE / Gabriel High Performance antennas have a cylindrical shroud lined with RF absorber which significantly reduces the side and front-to-back radiation. This antenna design is the go to solution for frequency congested sites. For added protection a planar radome provides antenna feed protection while offering low insertion loss. The antenna backstructure features a low profile design and added structural integrity. Severe Environment model configurations are designed to meet your extreme climate site requirements.

High Performance planar radomes are available in a variety of protective materials to satisfy your system requirements.  Standard materials range from CSM impregnated fabric or improved PTFE coated fabric or ABS materials. (Other materials available on request).

TRACKING ANTENNA SYSTEMS

Mobile or fixed tracking antenna systems can be used in radar applications or to maintain data links with moving objects such as satellites, aircraft, or missiles. mWAVE makes both monopulse comparator and conical scanning antennas in frequencies up to 86 GHz. mWAVE also offers ephemaris tracking systems utilizing two line element data which include antenna, pedestal and controls.

OMNI DIRECTIONAL ANTENNA

mWAVE Omnidirectional antennas radiates and receives energy equally in all horizontal directions. Omnidirectional antennas are the desired solution for applications requiring good all round coverage. In specialized applications mWAVE antenna designs can be manufactured to also accommodate a specified down tilt for near field coverage. These designs are available in a wide array of frequency bands and gains.  Contact an mWAVE representative for your custom requirements.

OVERVIEW MICROWAVE ANTENNA APPLICATIONS:

• Instrumentation & Standards
• Transportable EIRP Test Systems
• Direct & Sector Radio Link
• LEO & GEO Mobile Satellite
• INMARSAT
• DBS
• DARS
• WLAN/CAN/ISM
• BGAN
• VSAT
• RADAR
• RFID
• FTS
• Cellular/PCS Base station
• Telemetry & Datalink
• Monopulse Tracking
• Covert Communications
• Remote Sensing Antennas
• Hand-held SAT/CELL/GPS
• Satellite Imagery/GOES