Lightweight High Gain Launch Vehicle Antenna for Beyond Line-of-Sight Communications (1000-255)

ABSTRACT: SI2 Technologies, Inc. (SI2) will continue its groundbreaking research in efficient wideband, low profile array design to develop high gain wide scan arrays to enable beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) SATCOM links for Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles (EELVs). We will evaluate available SATCOM links and downselect the most favorable to target the array development; note, however, that SI2"s proposed array architectures are scalable to alternate frequency ranges and geometries. SI2"s low profile, conformal, highly efficient array architecture provides an ideal solution for enabling high data rate BLOS communications on an EELV. In Phase I, SI2 will survey potential SATCOM links, analyze their impact on antenna performance requirements, and downselect a specific targeted link to guide the array development. We will optimize our advanced array architectures for the targeted system requirements and EELV integration restrictions and demonstrate achievable performance via high fidelity electromagnetic simulations. We will validate our simulations and manufacturing approach via fabrication and test of a breadboard array demonstrator. In the follow-on Phase II program, SI2 will build on the Phase I effort by refining the array design and developing and fabricating a representative full scale prototype array. BENEFIT: Current EELVs have omnidirectional antennas that provide adequate gain to support required data rates when within line-of-sight (LOS) of the ground terminal, but they are not adequate for beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) phases of the launch trajectory. In order to enable the desired video monitoring of the flight, higher data rate links are necessary. There are a number of SATCOM links that could potentially provide higher data rates. High gain, wideband, wide scan coverage array antennas are needed to accommodate the large bandwidth and high data rate required to successfully use one of these SATCOM links for flight monitoring. Any proposed antenna must meet the physical limitations surrounding launch vehicle external telemetry antennas, including using the existing footprint for integration. SI2"s low profile, conformal, highly efficient array architectures provide an ideal solution for enabling BLOS communications on an EELV. In addition to the EELV platform targeted here, SI2"s low profile, wideband conformal array technology can benefit a wide variety of Air Force and DOD platforms and applications including communications, radar, and EW applications for aircraft, missile, UAS, space, and ground vehicles.