ELECTRONIC WARFARE RESISTANT ANTENNA USING PLASMAS (E-WRAP)
Abstract
Funding is requested here for the purchase of spectroscopic, RF, and microwave equipment which will be devoted to the development and characterization of plasma antennas. Preliminary tests conducted at the University of Illinois have shown that microplasmas and microplasma arrays can serve as sensitive receiving antennas in the 100—600 MHz spectral interval despite the fact that the electron density is 6—10 orders of magnitude lower than that in metals. The goal of the Illinois work is to demonstrate microplasma-based receiving and transmitting antennas, in both the RF and microwave regions, that are reconfigurable at electronic speeds. The successful demonstration of such antennas would have an enormous impact on a road range of DOD communications systems, as well as cyber warfare for ground forces, drones, and other airborne platforms. The equipment sought here will enable microplasma antennas in multiple geometries to be probed spectroscopically, as well as to manipulate the electron density at will. The latter allows for the influence of the plasma parameters and antenna performance to be examined selectively. This equipment would also improve capabilities at the University of Illinois in the area of antenna research and development.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141512862
Entities
People
- J. G. Eden
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign