Enhanced Field Expedient Body Wearable Antenna

The goals of this Phase II program are threefold. First, FIRST RF will enhance the current vest-integrated ground-radio (VIG-R) antenna to realize the instantaneous bandwidth required by the SINCGARS radio to provide full channel hopping capability. During the Phase I effort, FIRST RF demonstrated great success for a wearable VHF antenna solution by optimizing antenna topology and matching networks. In order to fully demonstrate the required instantaneous bandwidth, FIRST RF will implement passive matching techniques and further optimize antenna topology to simplify integration into the Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV). Second, FIRST RF will evaluate the specific absorption rate (SAR) experienced by the user to ensure potential health risks are eliminated. Leveraging past development efforts, FIRST RF has established the professional experience and the tools to accurately determine radiation exposure levels through both simulation and measurement. Lastly, FIRST RF will adapt our expertise for rapid antenna development that was exercised on our FRF-105 product line to fast track the deployment of the VIG-R antenna. Field-ready hardware will be delivered for evaluation and will demonstrate both electrical and integration requirements are satisfied.