Compact Radar Antenna
Navy SBIR FY2013.2


Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2013.2
Topic No.: N132-087
Topic Title: Compact Radar Antenna
Proposal No.: N132-087-0877
Firm: Syntonics LLC
9160 Red Branch Road
Columbia, Maryland 21045-2002
Contact: Eugene Lee
Phone: (410) 884-0500
Web Site: www.SyntonicsCorp.com
Abstract: The Navy is interested in developing a compact, highly efficient antenna at W-Band frequencies (95GHz) for non-lethal counter-personnel Active Denial Technologies (ADT) missions. These requirements can be met using a set of MEMS based reconfigurable patch reflectarray using the Team's pixel-addressable reconfigurable con�formal antenna (PARCA) Software-Defined An-tennaT technology. Pixelated microstrip circuits are controlled using a digital interface to a computer. The MEMS patches move up or down and can dynamically create patterns resulting in a reconfigurable reflectarray where the associated reflected beam is controlled in di�rection and gain. A reflectarray will be developed using our PARCA technology. A classical reflectar�ray design uses printed metallic elements that reflect the feed's electromagnetic wave in a manner that forms a narrow beam at a chosen direction. The geometry and layout of the printed patches control the direction and gain of the associated beam. The drawback of traditional reflectarrays are their fixed configuration and inability to steer the beam or change the gain of the beam using printed patches. A PARCA implemented reflectarray will be able to reconfigure the array to steer the beam and adjust gain.
Benefits: The anticipated results of a successful Phase I will be a PARCA antenna concept with high power beam steering. We plan to leverage ongoing PARCA tile fabrication efforts being conducted under separate contract and focus the team's efforts on the challenges of developing a near instantaneous beam steering capability for PARCA. We continue to keep in mind the potential for PARCA technology to scale towards even higher frequencies.

Return