Design and Manufacture of a Structurally Integrated Metamaterial Antenna (1000-086)

SI2 proposes to develop an electrically small metamaterial antenna with an increased efficiency/bandwidth product that is capable of being structurally integrated using N-UCAS advanced composite materials and SI2’s manufacturing technologies. The proposed concept utilizes several novel metamaterial miniaturization technologies and leverages SI2’s proprietary conformal electronics manufacturing technology to integrate the metamaterial antenna system with the structure. Both the metamaterial and manufacturing innovations will enable an electrically small antenna system with an increased performance to size and weight ratio. To help ensure applicability of our efforts, and to begin work towards technology transition, SI2 has teamed with a prime contractor who will provide system requirements and implementation opportunities. The Phase I program will demonstrate the electromagnetic (EM) performance of the metamaterial antenna through state of the art modeling and simulation. The manufacturability and ability to integrate the metamaterial antenna with a composite structure will be established through the design and manufacture of a hardware demonstrator. The follow-on Phase II program will refine the concept and develop a functional structurally integrated metamaterial antenna prototype. Testing of the prototype will validate the simulation and the metamaterial antenna’s improved radiation efficiency/bandwidth product compared to a conventional antenna.