Low-Profile Wideband SATCOM Antennas (LPWSA) for Airborne Platforms

This SBIR is to design, test and manufacture a state of the art, low profile, low drag SATCOM antenna system for millimeter wave Ku and Ka band transmissions from an airborne platform. The concept will enable bi-directional high data rate transmissions capable of handling imagery and communications intelligence in standard Military bands. Multiple design concepts for various individual elements of the overall design will be explored, evaluated and combined into three candidate solutions. These elements range from the antenna design and construction to the use of microwave integrated components and support hardware designed to meet very challenging size, weight, power and MTBF goals. A trade study will then be conducted to identify the most promising concept. The RF performance of the candidate solutions will be calculated and analyzed through electromagnetic simulations. In addition, a risk analysis will then be conducted and risk mitigation methodologies selected for each design. A preferred configuration will then be selected. After selection of the preferred hardware configuration, the units will be packaged in a low loss, low drag housing designed to minimize distortion of either the uplink or downlink to the satellite.