Conformal Antenna Application for a Controlled-Signature Mast
Abstract
Abstract: Approved for Public ReleaseThis proposal addresses the development and demonstration of an Integrated Composite Mast-Anten,na technology. The objective of the technology is to replace multiple legacy radiators and receivers on the communication masts with, a minimum number of multi-function broad bandwidth conformal antennas integrated into a composite Radar Absorbing capable Structure, (RAS-capable) version of the mast. The four key areas addressed are: (a) development and validation of the magnetically permeable c,omposite materials required to support the desired antenna performance, (b) design and verification of the conformal permeable anten,nas to cover LOS and SATCOM functions from HF through UHF with only two antennas, (c) analysis and design of the composite structure, of the mast to meet expected mechanical and environmental requirements while allowing integration of the antennas, and (d) design o,f the composite mast structure to demonstrate the capability to perform RASfunction while at the same time enhancing its communicati,on functions. The conformal permeable antenna designs are based on developments in previous ONR funded work that demonstrated that a, single permeable antenna, using the mast itself as the main radiator, can cover LOS vertical polarization communication requirement,s with a bandwidth in excess of 10:1, sufficient to span from HF through UHF. A key feature of that design is the damping of the nat,ural resonant modes of the mast using high-performance permeable materials from the electromagnetic interference (EMI) suppression i,ndustry. Such a material can then be used as an integral component of the RAS function of the mast. This proposal is part of a conce,rted three-university effort (ASU as the lead, Virginia Tech (VT) and university of Delaware (UDel). Combined with support from Navy, Warfare Center labs, we will demonstrate prototype conformal antennas co-optimized with radar absorbing composite structures for th,e multi-function communication mast. In Year 1, the permeable composite materials and dielectric structures required for both the an,tenna and RAS function will be evaluated by all the universities. ASU and VT will downselect candidate materials form COTS sources a,nd develop baseline antenna and RAS designs while UDel focuses on developing in-house materials for the manufacturing of the RAS str,ucture. In Year 2, while the antenna design is optimized and validated using breadboard antenna platforms (VT and ASU), the first p,lanar demonstrator of the proposed composite RAS stack-up will be manufactured and submitted (by VT and UDel) for NRL arch testing.,In Year 3 a cylindrical modular RAS mast demonstrator will be manufactured by UDel using the lesson learned in Years 1 and 2. This d,emonstrator is slated to be used by itself for VHF RAS mast communication testing by the Warfare Center labs while ASU and VT finali,ze the construction and laboratory verification of the final breadboard antennas for LOS and SATCOM functions. By the end of Year 3,, the ASU/VT breadboard antennas will be integrated into the UDel modular RAS mast for full antenna range testing In parallel, a SWaP,-C trade-off and design effort will collect all lessons learned in anticipation of implementation of the technology in a future MFM.,Approved for Public Release
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 08, 2022
- Source ID
- N000142212075
Entities
People
- Bradley Davis
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- Virginia Tech