Enhanced Field Expedient Body Wearable Antenna

The goals of this Phase I program are twofold. FIRST RF will demonstrate a broadband, VHF body-wearable antenna that is concealed and conformal. The antenna technology developed is designed to replace the currently-fielded 1-meter whip antenna used for communication in the SINCGARS radio band. Motivation for a body-wearable antenna stems from the large visual signature and significant impact on today’s warfighters imposed by these 1-meter whip antennas. The second goal of the proposed effort is to use a common test platform and environment to evaluate and characterize commercially-available wearable antenna technologies offered as alternatives to the 1-meter whip antenna. Evaluation will mainly be focused on the specific absorption rate (SAR) experienced by the user in addition to a comprehensive (quantitative and qualitative) characterization of electrical performance. 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.