Improved mini Ku band antenna for TCDL

Airborne communications systems such as TCDL are vulnerable to loss of link due to normal aircraft maneuvers. A dramatic need exists for an antenna system impervious to aircraft pitch and roll vectors. During Phase I, FIRST RF proposed and demonstrated a novel but simple and rugged geo-stabilization mechanism for antennas in dynamic environments. The system maintains a fixed beam despite aircraft motion. Though the system is initially targeted towards a Ku-Band TCDL antenna array aboard helicopters, the overall concept can be applied to a number of different antennas and bands. Furthermore, though the immediate platform of interest is Apache, FIRST RF has specifically designed the geo-stabilization mechanism and antenna array to fit aboard the Shadow UAV, with its reduced ground clearance and limited payload. The Phase I program involved not only detailed design and analysis, but proved the mechanical concept with a working hardware demonstration. Furthermore, an antenna array was built for the system with 9 dBi gain. The Phase II program will involve optimizing the mechanical assembly and the antenna array, and integrating the two together. The final deliverable will be a fully working system capable of a flight demonstration involving a TCDL link test aboard a helicopter.