N111-040 TITLE: Wide Bandwidth, High Performance Cost Effective Antenna Elements

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: NA, IWS 2.0 will transition technology into developing Radar and EW systems

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: The development of cost effective, wide bandwidth linear polarized antenna elements that provide relatively low insertion loss and high gain at broadside for Navy Shipboard Radars and Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems.

DESCRIPTION: Antenna elements are a key part of any phased array antenna system. The development of cost effective, high performance antenna elements is challenging for wide bandwidth applications, in particular with respect to the impedance at relatively broad scan angles presented by an array of antenna elements. For this reason, proposals are sought for the development of cost effective, wide bandwidth linear polarized antenna elements that provide relatively low insertion loss and high gain at broadside with relatively low voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR). Wide bandwidth antenna elements should demonstrate a VSWR of <2:1 at scan angles less than or equal to 60 degrees. The proposed technology solution must demonstrate this level of performance at low acquisition cost and provide reliable operation in a Navy shipboard application for the anticipated antenna lifecycle so that total ownership cost for the antenna modules is minimized also. There is specific interest in potential technologies with applicability to S-Band through X-Band high power radar applications.

PHASE I: Demonstrate feasibility of proposed wideband antenna elements technology through modeling and empirical evaluation. Technical feasibility shall be demonstrated by meeting the stated performance objectives and transition potential.

PHASE II: Develop and demonstrate wideband antenna elements that 1) addresses the electrical, mechanical and thermal objectives of the topic, 2) that are compatible with a high power operational shipboard solid state radar, and 3) will satisfy reliable long-term operation within an operational shipboard solid state radar.

PHASE III: Refine the phase II design as necessary and incorporate the wideband antenna elements for integration and demonstration within an operating IWS 2.0 radar system.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: The Antenna elements are a key part of any phased array antenna system. The development of cost effective, high performance antenna elements has applicability for all commercial and military avionics radars, all commercial radar applications, and all marine radar applications.

REFERENCES:
1. C. A. Balanis (ed.), Modern Antenna Handbook, 1st Ed., Chap. 12, W. F. Croswell, T. Durham, M. Jones, D. Schaubert, P. Friederich and J. G. Maloney, "Wideband Arrays", (John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2008).

2. Antenna Engineering Handbook, Johnson and Jasik.

3. Phased Array Antenna Handbook, R.J. Mailloux.

KEYWORDS: Wideband, Antenna Elements, Radar, EW, Phased Array, VSWR

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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