Advanced Metamaterial (MTM) Rapidly Reconfigurable Common Aperture Antenna

For this Phase I program, Spectra Research will leverage its recent accomplishments in advanced antenna designs (and those of its research partner GTRI) to investigate the application of fragmented aperture and fragmented volume technologies in concert with metamaterial based EBG substrates to develop a reconfigurable broadband (UHF to L-band) antenna. The work will take advantage of current FDTD algorithms and broad experience in EBG materials. Innovative approaches that improve overall antenna performance while minimizing antenna profile are desired solutions for all volumetrically restricted platforms. The Spectra Research team proposes an innovative approach to accomplishing the program objectives by employing advances in fragmented aperture antenna designs, and metamaterials EBG research, in concert with the extensive Spectra Research capability in designing specialized antennas, to develop solutions for a unique UHF through L-band common aperture, reconfigurable antenna. Both Cartesian and cylindrical FDTD simulations will provide a set of design rules that then may be used to modify analytical approximations.