Low Cost Conformal Transmit/Receive SATCOM Antenna for Military Patrol Aircraft Navy SBIR FY2006.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2006.2 Topic No.: N06-117 Topic Title: Low Cost Conformal Transmit/Receive SATCOM Antenna for Military Patrol Aircraft Proposal No.: N062-117-0698 Firm: Spectra Research, Inc. 2790 Indian Ripple Road Russ Research Center Dayton, Ohio 45440 Contact: Daniel Reuster Phone: (937) 320-5999 Web Site: www.spectra-research.com Abstract: Spectra Research, Inc. has teamed with the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) to provide the unique capabilities and design tools necessary to successfully design a broadband conformal antenna that meets the requirements for maritime patrol aircraft. The objective of this program is to develop a low cost conformal satellite communication (SATCOM) transmit/receive antenna system that can operate at X, Ku and/or Ka band for military patrol aircraft to enable over-the-horizon high speed communications by employing fragmented aperture design concepts in concert with metamaterials. The proposed antenna designs will be optimized for minimum size, weight and thickness. The utilization of polymer based artificial dielectrics and magnetics offers the potential to exceed typical antenna performance limits without suffering the penalties of decreased bandwidth and costly manufacturing. Further these designer metamaterials may also incorporate patterned layers that can provide significant benefits such as a reduction in unwanted sidelobes, and provide increased isolation. Coupling MetaMaterials with new advancements in antenna designs such as fragmented apertures provide additional significant advantages in the drive to provide reduced size, high efficiency broadband communication antennas. Benefits: Spectra Research's commercialization strategy will capitalize upon the growing demand for miniaturized wideband antennas in the communications market. As the requirement for frequency allocations in the wireless internet market increases, the need for inexpensive antennas for the burgeoning product offerings will increase significantly. Spectra Research's primary commercialization strategy will concentrate on the drive for low drag, reduced RCS antennas on aircraft, UAVs, and spacecraft. In this arena we will concentrate on addressing the market through traditional government channels. Military applications include munition data links, unmanned air vehicle data links, and wireless communications. This technology has broad industrial use in wireless information communications. Applications could include hand held computer devices, automobile communications, and mobile computer networking. Return