Novel Design and Fabrication of Conformal GPS & Communications Antenna for UAV

This Phase II project will develop lightweight, wide bandwidth, and affordable antenna technologies by integrating VHF (30-300 MHz) / UHF (300-512 MHz) communications antenna and GPS L1/L2 band (1.575/1.227 GHz) antenna into the UAV structure to provide multiband, 360-degree coverage without significant impact on aerodynamics, and designed to occupy the smallest practical surface area at the lowest weight practical.  MesoScribe Technologies Inc. in partnership Ohio State University and ITT Corporation propose an integrated strategy combining design, simulation and Direct Write antenna fabrication to implement the combined GPS & Communications antenna technology onto the tail/fuselage of a surrogate UAV.  The AF081-068 program will serve as a platform to meet the project objectives as well as validate a new approach to integrate conformal antennas within military systems. BENEFITS: Antennas which are conformal to the air vehicle structure are becoming important for military as well as commercial applications.  Wideband antennas are highly desirable to replace several narrowband antennas with one broadband antenna due to space limitations, especially in small aircraft such as UAVs.  The proposed technology will enable a small UAV to communicate with a base station for navigation and control, act as a relay between radios that do not have direct line of sight communication, communicate with other aircraft, and obtain its position from GPS satellites over head.  The conformal wide-band antennas will significantly benefit the Air Force, Department of Defense, and Department of Homeland Security.