Near-Field Testbed for Electromagnetic Research
Abstract
For the past ten years, the Hume Center for National Security and Technology at Virginia Tech has worked to integrate the educationa,l objectives of the university with advanced research in support of our national defense partners. Key innovation and research in R,F systems at the Hume Center include the use of software-defined platforms for a variety of missions; multi-function RF signal proce,ssing and waveform design supporting DoD communications, electronic warfare (EW), RADAR, signal intelligence (SIGINT), and position,, timing and navigation (PNT); establishment of an academic SATCOM ground station; and a broadly-defined Electronic Systems (ES) rese,arch portfolio that leverages cleared student participation within Hume?s secure facilities. The addition of RF range capabilities t,o its core capabilities will allow the Hume Center to instill comprehensive system knowledge to the DoD?s future workforce and provi,de a platform for research that is vital to national security. The proposedsystem includes a planar near-field scanner which allowst,he development and characterization of advanced apertures and other electromagnetic structures including design, materials and struc,ture. Access to electromagnetic characteristics gathered in the near-field will be used to better understand the behavior of antenna,s, coupling, and diffraction and scattering mechanisms when, for example, an antenna is surrounded by materials, structures or other, objects. A common application is with antennas embedded in vehicles such as aircraft or when antennas are enclosed in radomes. Addi,ng this system to the Hume Center?s Electromagnetic Test Bed enhances capabilities with a significant research and experimental tool, used that will be used for advanced system development and workforce development in applied electromagnetics. Example research area,s include the design and application of (a) array antennas, (b) conformal and embedded antennas, (c) radomes (d) material characteri,zation, and (e) active and passive material structure design including tunable reflecting surfaces, filters and artificial materials, such as metamaterials. The requested range capabilities will also support the Hume Center in collaborative efforts with other engin,eering and sciences faculty with a particular interest in composite structures. The range system will provide a secure facility toco,nduct restricted research for DoD sponsors and industrial sponsors with applications in communication, radar, electronic warfare and, signal intelligence.The PI brings substantial industry experience in the related fields. This equipment will support a 2019 Manufac,turing Engineering Education Program (MEEP) designed to attract, educate and promote research in applied electromagnetics across man,y engineering disciplines. This DURIP request will support education and training with advanced facilities for undergraduate experie,ntial learning, student research teams, graduate students and sponsored research with consortium partners. Industry and DOD partners, alike have expressed a particular need for graduates with broad skills and testing background provided by the operation, research a,nd educational opportunities of this range.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 08, 2022
- Source ID
- N000142212746
Entities
People
- Bradley Davis
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- Virginia Tech