Wide Bandwidth, High Performance Cost Effective Antenna Elements

Antenna elements are a key part of any phased array antenna system. The development of cost effective, high performance array antenna elements is challenging for wide bandwidth and broad scan angles. Wang Electro-Opto Corporation (WEO), teamed up with the Ohio State University (OSU), proposes to develop linear-polarized antenna elements covering S-Band through X-Band for high power radar applications with up to 100 watts per element. The technical approach will be based on the general technical approach that WEO and OSU have taken in a joint research effort for a wideband phased array with scan angle of 60 degrees for a radar application. It was noted that the design approach has potential to achieve an instantaneous bandwidth of 2.8-12.8 GHz. In Phase-I, the WEO-OSU team will expand the potential bandwidth to 2.0-12.0 GHz, fully covering S through X bands. A small planar array based on such element antenna will be designed, fabricated, and tested to demonstrate feasibility of the proposed approach adequate for Phase-II development. The proposed technology solution should have low acquisition and life-cycle costs and reliable operation in Navy shipboard applications.