Configurable Conformal Impulse Receive Antenna
Abstract
Among leading-edge research concerns in ultra-wideband (UWB) radiofrequency (RF) methods, it has recently become important to devise antennas to satisfy the following conditions as much as possible: (a) be UWB responsive; (b) be preserving of impulse waveform structure; (c) be coplanar (thin) and surface conformal; and especially (d) be operable on conductive support (e.g. metal-skin of aircraft). Conditions (a+d) are almost mutually exclusive among prior-known designs, and combinations (a+b+c) have been implemented only recently. We satisfied condition (d) from the start by deriving from a microstrip "patch" antenna basis. Then, revisiting conventional theory on frequency independent antennas, we added considerations of distributed feedwork and textured impedances related to "electronic band -gap" (EBG) structures. The resulting solution space is broad and allows for much further refinement. During optimization analyses, we achieved proof-of-concept in a study model named CATSPAW - for "Configurable-Aperture Tunable-Substrate Patch-Antenna for Wideband" with steerability and channelized sub-spectral capabilities for advanced radar methods.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA437561
Entities
People
- G. H. Kirk