Modular, Polarization-Preserving, 40 - 200 GHz Active, Electronically Steered Array (AESA) Antenna for Next-Generation WindSat Navy SBIR FY2015.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2015.1 Topic No.: N151-076 Topic Title: Modular, Polarization-Preserving, 40 - 200 GHz Active, Electronically Steered Array (AESA) Antenna for Next-Generation WindSat Proposal No.: N151-076-0773 Firm: Teqnovations, LLC 1457 Smoochers Circle Colorado Springs, Colorado 80904-1143 Contact: Martin Theobald Phone: (719) 930-6634 Web Site: www.teqnovations.com Abstract: Teqnovations proposes to develop a modular, polarization-preserving 40 - 200 GHz active, electronically steered array (AESA) antenna for the next generation of WindSat satellites. AESA technology will enable WindSat to customize its scan location and resolution on earth to precisely image wind vectors in critical geographic areas. The new WindSat's higher frequencies will minimize interference from operations at lower frequencies. Modular, AESA tiles can be configured into planar, timed-array antennas or into the focal-plane arrays for use with a reflector. The scalable AESA tile design supports a wide range of antenna shapes and sizes, including a quasi-conformal arrays. Planar, ultra-wideband modular antenna (PUMA) technology will be developed to acquire polarimetric radiometer data in the 40 - 200 GHz band. True-time-delay (TTD), RF liquid-crystal (LC) -based time delayers will form beams across the entire frequency band. Multiple antenna beams can be formed entirely in the RF domain, entirely in the digital domain, or in a hybrid of the two domains with sub arrays. The Phase I effort will focus on the PUMA array and antenna architecture. We will demonstrate a laboratory version of an AESA with four, dual (V + H) beams in Phase II leading to full antenna development in Phase III. Benefits: The proposed AESA will enable future polarimeteric radiometers, such as WindSat, to map wind vectors at arbitrary locations and with programmable resolution to lower the risk and enhance the success of future missions. The same technology will enable antennas for evolving 60 - 100 GHz data communications systems for military and commercial use. Return