Direct downlink RF module

A downlink module, comprising:

• a sensor interface operable to provide digitized sensor signals;
• a GPS receiver operable to provide GPS timing and location signals;
• a digital signal processor and coding modulator for forming baseband packets of the digitized sensor signals and the GPS timing and location signals according to a desired protocol;
• an IF stage for converting the baseband packets into an RF packet signal;
• a beamforming controller;
• and
• an array of integrated antenna circuits, each integrated antenna circuit operable to phase shift and/or attenuate the RF packet signal according to a beamforming command from the beamforming controller such that a transmitted RF packet signal from the array of integrated antenna circuits is directed into a desired beam direction.