Low Cost All Metal Additively Manufactured Wideband Antenna Array Modules (Preprint)

Abstract

This paper introduces a modular, end-fire, dual-polarized ultra-wideband scalable array (MEDUSA) realized exclusively with direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) to achieve a connector-less phased array antenna module. The radiator is based on a variation of conventional tapered slot antennas (i.e. Vivaldi) to achieve an all metal fully-monolithic element consisting of RF coaxial interface, balun, and free-space transformer. A very low-cost array module is achieved by adapting the design uniquely to the fabrication process in order to eliminate nearly all post-processing. A finite 8x8 array covering 7-21 GHz has been prototyped and measured to demonstrate agreement in active impedance and element patterns.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 2020
Accession Number
AD1097486

Entities

People

  • Jeffrey P. Massman
  • Thomas P. Steffen

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Additive Manufacturing
  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Antenna Arrays
  • Antennas
  • Assembly
  • Broadband Antennas
  • Connectors
  • Electronically Scanned Array
  • Engineering
  • Fabrication
  • Manufacturing
  • Military Research
  • Phased Arrays
  • Printing
  • Radiation Patterns
  • Stereolithography

Readers

  • Manufacturing Engineering.
  • Phased Array Antenna Design.
  • Software Engineering

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Space