Electrically-small antennas for super-resolving DF and HP EA at HF/VHF frequencies
Abstract
The overall objective of this project is to develop radically new capabilities in the areas of electrically-small antenna design for electronic warfare support (ES) and electronic attack (EA) applications. Specifically, in this project we pursue two parallel and independent tracks (ES and EA), each with its own objective. The first objective is to use biologically-inspired concepts to bring about fundamentally new advances in the design of electrically-small, super-resolving and super-directive antenna apertures for broadband direction finding applications at HF/VHF bands. The second objective is to use recent breakthroughs in compact ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna design and non-foster impedance matching networks to develop broadband, electrically small HF/VHF antennas capable of transmitting high-power levels for electronic attack applications. This project is expected to introduce two new technologies that will enable the development of conformal, broadband, electrically-small antennas for ES or EA applications in the 3-300 MHz band. The proposed ES antennas will improve the capability of small-aperture systems to precisely detect and localize the sources of signals emanating in the HF/VHF bands. The proposed EA antenna will enable small platforms to radiate high-power signals (>100W) in the HF/VHF bands with a reasonably high efficiency. Both antennas are electrically-small (<1m) and can be made conformal. This makes them suitable for EW systems mounted on small platforms. The performance levels expected from the proposed antennas are currently not achievable using any existing antenna technology. Collectively, the technologies proposed in this work will improve the capability of military electronic warfare systems to detect, deny, or deceive adversarial sensors and systems operating in the HF-VHF bands. The proposed research will impact the field of antenna engineering by addressing two of the most fundamental problems in this area. These advancements are expected to result in a number of significant short- and long-term payoffs for the warfighter. These include: 1) Improving the warfighter’s situational awareness by improving the warfighter’s ability to detect and identify friend and foe over large areas and under difficult circumstances; 2) Increasing the survivability of the warfighter by enabling the warfighter to engage the enemy from longer distances and potentially even before being detected, by reducing the size/weight of the electronic payloads that must be carried, and by reducing the visual signature of vital military communication assets (e.g., no large antennas sticking out of vehicles or back packs); 3) Expanding the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities by making sophisticated ISR capabilities available to a wider range of users (e.g. users who may have access only to small platforms); and 4) Improving Command, Control, and Communication capabilities by providing new antennas for a wide range of military systems (e.g. communications) where the use of HF/VHF spectrum is needed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141512207
Entities
People
- Nader Behdad
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Wisconsin System