Low Size, Weight and Power Direction Antenna for Common Data Link

ABSTRACT: Broader deployments of Common Data Link (CDL) LOS networking capabilities are becoming increasingly important as the Warfighter evolves to ever-increasing bandwidth (high datarate)and 24/7/365 availability demands in the modern Battlefield. CDL is a key component of this need and capability, but has been traditionally hampered by requisite CDL antenna size, bulk, and cost which has traditionally limited it"s practicality and availability to all but the most strategic platforms and missions. The proposed directional low-profile (<2.5"H), low cost ($10K to $25K), high-performance (9"D parabolic equivalent) CDL antenna is targeted at enabling broader and more effective deployment of CDL capabilities to the field. Using proven low-cost high-efficiency Continuous Transverse Stub (CTS) array technology in an innovative form-factor, a new"universal"CDL antenna suitable for even the smallest platforms, is proposed. Starting with baseline Ku CDL capability, but with growth to dual-band and tri-band variants (while retaining the same cost and size advantages) the proposed antenna provides an attractive growth and"commonality"path to all CDL applications. In Phase I, ThinKom proposes to complete preliminary RF, mechanical, and tracking design and installation concepts for the proposed antenna, followed (in a contemplated Phase II effort) with further refinement, fabrication, test, and demonstration in a aeronautically-relevant environment. BENEFIT: ThinKom has already successfully fielded antennas at C, X, Ku, Ka, Q, E, and W bands, including dual-band and wideband variants. Further, ThinKom, alone, and in cooperation with various partners, is developing various SATCOM On-the-Move antenna systems, including pointing and stabilization subsystems, readily adaptable to CDL Line-of-Sight (LOS) needs. Current and potential applications for the particular proposed CDL-variant of the CTS antenna technology, include SATCOM, Point-to-Multipoint (PTMP), Point-to-Point (PTP), and various Asset-Tracking applications where a truly low-cost high-gain low-profile steerable antenna is a strong Commercial enabler.