N121-104 TITLE: Low Cost Electronically Steered Multi-Beam Transmit Array

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Ground/Sea Vehicles, Sensors, Electronics

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMW-120 - Ships Signal Exploitation Equipment, various ACAT III PORs

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: Develop a Low Cost Electronically Steered Multi-Beam Transmit Array.

DESCRIPTION: Modern US Navy ships have various requirements for high gain antennas that can transmit multiple high power signals to anywhere in the hemisphere of the ships field-of-view. Modern USN ships are also required to have a low radar cross-section, and utilize antennas for more than one function. This task is to develop a Low Cost Electronically Steered Multi-Beam Transmit Array that can operate over a very broad frequency band and transmit high power so that it can be used for multiple functions while maintaining a low radar cross-section. Only a transmit capability is required. Proposals are not limited to phased arrays, but must be capable of transmitting multiple beams that are electronically steerable. The array must be affordable, and conform to the specifications outlined below. The development is innovative due to the broadband high power required, small size, low weight, and multiple electronically steered beams. The following are specifications for this antenna. Refer to reference 1 and 2 for definitions of these parameters.

Low Cost Electronically Steered Multi-Beam Transmit Array Specification: The intent of this specification is to provide a high powered transmit array for shipboard use. All antenna types will be considered.

Freq range: Threshold: 1-21 GHz
Objective: 1-50 GHz

Azimuth/Elevation: 360 deg/ 0-90 deg

Simultaneous beams: Threshold: 2 (per quadrant)
Objective: 8 (per quadrant)

Beamwidth: 14 deg @ 1 GHz narrowing proportionately to Threshold: 5 deg @ 18 GHz;
Objective: 1 deg @ 21 GHz

Modulation bandwidth: Threshold: 1 GHz ;
Objective: 4 GHz

Beam Pointing/Steering accuracy: No worse than 0.7 deg RMS (triaxially stabilized against NAVSEA class standard ship motion specs) and able to maintain the beam on target within the 3 dB Beam width

Slew Rate: Azimuth (deg/sec): Threshold: 6 Objective: 10
Elevation (deg/sec): Threshold: 6 Objective: 10

EIRP: Threshold: 75 dbW (1-6 GHz), 60 dbW (6-18 GHz)
Objective: 80 dbW (1-6 GHz), 65 dbW (6-18 GHz)

Duty Cycle: @ 80 dBW with threshold 5% objective 10%
@ 40 dBW with threshold 50% objective 100%

Cost: Threshold: $1M per shipset
Objective: $250K per shipset

Size: Threshold: Diameter not greater than 96 inches
Objective: Diameter not greater than 72 inches

Weight: Threshold: Under 250 lbs; Objective: Less than 100 lbs

Environmental Requirements: USN ship Shock, vibration, temperature, salt air and other environmental requirements per reference MIL-HDBK-2036

PHASE I: Develop the approach for implementing the Low Cost Electronically Steered Multi-Beam Transmit Array that meets threshold specifications. Accomplish modeling to identify the expected efficiency of the application. Provide a paper documenting the design approach and modeling results.

PHASE II: Complete antenna development and design that meets the requirements using computer modeling and by prototyping and testing. Fabricate an engineering development model antenna (EDM). Test this antenna for compliance with the electrical and mechanical specifications. Provide a report outlining the antenna performance in relation to the above specification. Develop a plan to develop the EDM antenna into a production antenna. Provide the EDM antenna to the US Government for evaluation and testing.

PHASE III: Refine the antenna design and fabricate and test production model antennas. Qualify these antennas for USN Ship installation. Develop an antenna production line and provide antennas for USN Shipboard installations.

REFERENCES:
(1) Antennas, second edition, John D. Kraus; ISBN 0-07-035422-7, McGraw Hill, copy write 1988, 1950.

(2) Antenna Theory and Design, 2nd Edition, Warren L. Stuzman and Gary A. Thiele; ISBN-10: 0471025909; ISBN-13: 978-0471025900; 1997

(3) MIL-HDBK-2036

KEYWORDS: low RCS; multi beam; Antenna; broadband; shipboard; stabilized

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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