Variable Coverage Wide Field of View Satellite Antenna

ABSTRACT: A significant need exists for space antennas which provide high gain, small stowed volume, and the ability to generate both wide and narrow beams. Currently available UHF antennas for space applications do not offer a clear path for higher gain apertures, as this would require either the addition of large antenna elements, or scaling a reflector. The former is not an option with volume-constrained spacecraft, and the latter requires serious mechanical redesign. FIRST RF proposes a deployable UHF antenna array which stows compactly for launch and deploys via a simple yet robust deployment mechanism. The key enabler to the antenna design is the wideband collapsible antenna and feed. Measured data suggests array gain of at least 18 dB over military UHF SATCOM bands from a stowed volume of 0.75m x 3m x 0.15m. The array is built from modular panels, which means the array size can grow to accommodate higher gain / higher datarate applications. Beamforming circuitry provides simultaneous or switched access to multiple beams. Phase I demonstrated the basic antenna element, which is a cornerstone of the design. Phase II is focused on building a 4 element array followed by a full size aperture which meets the gain requirements. BENEFIT: The primary application of this technology is for UHF Follow On or MUOS satellites. The antenna provides higher gain on both Tx and Rx.