N101-069 TITLE: Innovative Wideband Antenna Technology for Ultimate Consolidated Submarine Mast

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMS450: VIRGINIA Class submarine: ACAT I

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN CITIZENS (i.e., those holding non-U.S. Passports): This topic is "ITAR Restricted." The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 - 130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data. Foreign Citizens may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign citizen who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal will be rejected.

OBJECTIVE: To develop wideband antenna design and efficient wideband electronics as a step toward the long-range goal of the development of consolidated, multifunction submarine masts. Specifically, the objective is to investigate innovations in wideband antenna design and efficient wideband.

DESCRIPTION: In the long-term, the Navy is moving toward a multifunction submarine mast (or family of masts) supporting communications, electronic warfare (EW), and radar functions This topic, with its focus on innovative wideband antenna development, provides a key step in developing the technologies necessary for multifunction submarine masts. The Navy is faced with the challenge of supporting the communications, EW, and radar functionality required on submarines by using masts deployed from the submarine sail. The limited volume available in the sail limits the size and number of submarine masts, therefore limiting the volume available to provide the desired capabilities. Capability requirements in the areas of comms, EW, and radar continue to increase; however, supporting new functions or enhanced performance often requires additional antenna volume that is unavailable with the current submarine sail architecture. By developing a single mast that consolidates multiple functions in an efficient manner, new capabilities and improved performance could be achieved without requiring significant modifications to the sail or submarine platform. Also, by using a family of common masts in the submarine sail (to provide the full complement of capability and redundancy), a common design approach could be used for other mast system elements (such as mast deployment, signal distribution, dip loops, and hull penetrators), greatly reducing life cycle costs.

This SBIR topic focuses on one of the key enabling technologies to achieve the vision of a common mast is wideband antennas. Currently, antennas such as spirals and bicones are used to provide wideband functionality. Although these antennas are effective, there are limits to the level of performance that can be achieved in a given volume. In the future, there may be a need to expand the spectrum of frequencies supported by submarines, which will further stress the capabilities of legacy antennas. This topic solicits innovative antenna approaches that can achieve very high bandwidths (10:1 or higher) while minimizing the overall footprint of the antenna. New technology areas of consideration may include (but are not limited to) fractal antennas, metamaterial antennas, or reconfigurable antennas. Candidate antennas should target a cylindrical volume no greater than 18" in diameter by 36" in height. Antennas that are within a 7" diameter and roughly 12" in length are also of interest. The ability to provide 360° coverage is also desired.

For a wideband antenna to effectively support multiple functions, associated wideband electronics (such as filters, channelizers, and amplifiers) may also be required. Innovations in these areas are also of interest, but should be confined to applications that directly couple the electronics with innovative wideband antennas.

PHASE I: Perform a study identifying innovative wideband antenna designs that could support multiple radio frequency functions in a minimal volume. Key features include antenna bandwidth, gain, 360° coverage, and size/form factor. Performance variations as a function of frequency and size must be characterized. Analysis shall also include development of notional concepts for implementing the antenna as part of a consolidated multifunction submarine mast.

PHASE II: Develop a prototype antenna (or set of antennas) that can be tested in a laboratory environment. Prototype antenna(s) shall demonstrate enhanced performance relative to volume, particularly in the areas of gain, bandwidth, and antenna pattern.

PHASE III: Develop a full scale prototype antenna system that can be integrated with a notional submarine mast and tested in a relevant environment.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS:
A wideband multifunction antenna system has strong potential application to both commercial and other DoD areas. Potential commercial applications could include wireless networking, broadband RF links, or antenna consolidation on ships and aircraft. Other military applications include surface ships, aircraft, and unattended sensors.

REFERENCES:
1. Robert Ackerman, "Joint Forces Redo Warfighting Doctrine," Signal, June 2008, 62, 10.

2. "Royal Netherlands Navy Selects Thales's Integrated Mast," Thales Nederland; issued Dec. 20, 2007 (Search Thales Integrated Mast at http://www.thalesgroup.com)

3. J.D. Kraus, Antennas, McGraw-Hill, 1988.

4. D. Hambling, "5 Metamaterials That Make Matter Invisible, Silent or Blindingly Fast", Popular Mechanics, September 2009, http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4328772.html

KEYWORDS: Keywords: Antennas, Wideband, Submarine Systems, Radio Frequency (RF), Electromagnetics

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

DoD Notice:   Between November 12 and December 9, 2009, you may talk directly with the Topic Authors to ask technical questions about the topics. Their contact information is listed above. For reasons of competitive fairness, direct communication between proposers and topic authors is not allowed starting December 10, 2009, when DoD begins accepting proposals for this solicitation.

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