Metamaterial Antennas Imbedded with Ballistic Armor (PDRT10-006) Navy STTR FY2010.A Sol No.: Navy STTR FY2010.A Topic No.: N10A-T021 Topic Title: Metamaterial Antennas Imbedded with Ballistic Armor (PDRT10-006) Proposal No.: N10A-021-0716 Firm: DR Technologies, Inc. 9431 Dowdy Drive San Diego, California 92126-4336 Contact: John Marks Phone: (858) 587-4200 Web Site: www.drtechnologies.com Abstract: The proposed STTR will demonstrate how magnetic meta materials based antennas are ideal for integration into composite structures where the graphite composite backplanes can be integrated with dielectric ballistic protection materials that surround, yet do not interfere with the antenna. In ongoing research we have shown such antennas can approach the theoretical Gain-Bandwidth Product (GBWP) limit for radiators limited to a surface. (The two-dimensional equivalent of the well know three dimensional Fano-Chu limit.) A feature of the design of these antennas is the ability to trade-off the permeability of the material against the cross section required to attain the desired GBWP and minimize weight and cost of the metamaterial while maximizing gain and bandwidth.The instantaneous bandwidth of the antenna is critical in applications where the same radiator is to be used over a very broad band of frequencies. We will demonstrate the capabilities of this technology in the form of a broadband radiator operating from 20MHz up, integrated into a structure suitable for a side panel of a vehicle performing an anti-IED. This conformal design eliminates visual signature cues that could identify the vehicle carrying this panel as an anti-IED vehicle. Benefits: Our team has reviewed the PMS-408 JCREW/EOD initiatives and we feel this technology is very pertinent to the protection of UAVs, ground vehicles, and shipboard systems. In fact, any armored vehicle with the need for a broadband antenna would benefit from the proposed technology development. First order of improvements to the personnel safety in the vehicles from IED threats and second is the threat to the antenna system's survivability. The need for production antennas of this type will increase over the next decade and it is our plan to be a key supplier of such composite structures If we are successful in Phase 2 in design and fabrication of an armored protected conformal antenna combined with armored protection it is easy to see the need for these mission critical systems. In the long term the market for such hardened antenna could easily be envisioned for law enforcement or private security applications. Protecting our leaders and our infrastructure from the unexplained events has unfortunately been an increasing concern in our enhanced homeland, commercial ocean vessel and airborne security environment in the world today. The systems developed and the technology explored in this STTR will bring us a step closer to protecting our citizens world wide. Return