Low Profile, Very Wide Bandwidth Aircraft Communications Antenna

Currently available communications antennas for aircraft have several problems. Blade antennas are inherently resonant structures that are difficult to extend to wider bandwidths, they impact the flight characteristics of faster aircraft, and they may present an ice accumulation problem on some aircraft. There is a need for replacement of blade antennas with low profile broadband antennas to address the explosive growth of communication and connectivity needs. Over the past decade, Applied EM has been involved in the development and commercialization of broadband antenna technology. During our Phase I effort of this project, Applied EM studied novel low profile antenna designs based on a volumetric (shape and topology) design that operates over 30-2000MHz. Preliminary simulations already verified the successful design of this concept. During Phase II, we will finalize the design, build prototypes, provide validations via measurements, and deliver antenna structures that suitable for commercialization and integration purposes.