Antenna Design in PolyStrata for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

ABSTRACT: There is the growing demand for user terminals for mobile satellite telecommunication (SATCOM) applications including K/Ka dual-band SATCOM for unmanned and manned aircraft platforms. Nuvotronics is pleased to propose a two-year SBIR program to the Air Force for the development of a fully-electronically steerable array capable of scanning beams from zenith to near the horizon to replace a mechanically steerable dish antenna traditionally installed on UAVs. During the first year we will design, fabricate and test all key components of the proposed SATCOM antenna system for UAV including conformal dual K/Ka band dual-CP radiating aperture and beam control elements. In Year 2, Nuvotronics will work with the development, implementation and measurement of a dual K/Ka band dual-CP demonstration array with beam steering capabilities that will be composed of several key parts developed during Year 1. This hardware prototype will demonstrate notional functionality of the proposed SATCOM antenna system for UAV platforms and will be delivered to the government for evaluation. BENEFIT: Military and commercial requirements are driving the need for increasing numbers of airborne terminals for SATCOM applications. Broadband-level connectivity is driving migration to Ka-band and higher frequencies. The current solutions at Ka-band frequencies are either mechanically-scanned antennas or flat-panel planar arrays--both have drawbacks. Electronically scanned SATCOM antennas are lower-profile than mechanically-scanned systems. This is important for aerodynamics of a given platform. This is also important as increased ISR functionality is placed on smaller UAV platforms, as smaller antennas are required. A SATCOM antenna replacement for the Predator UAV is an initial target application. The proposed approach has size and weight advantages compared to currently available systems.