Conformal Appliqué Antennas for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Aircraft

This SBIR phase-II proposal is to develop conformal appliqué antennas mounted on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and aircraft for FM/TV broadcast in PSYOPS (psychological-operations). The technical problem is very challenging, especially for that on UAVs, because of the constraints on antenna size and form factor by the platform, and since the gain-bandwidth of an antenna is fundamentally limited by the antenna’s physical size in wavelength at FM and TV frequencies. Therefore, USSOCOM conducted a phase-I effort in support of PGR (PSYOP Global Reach) ACTD (Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration). Wang Electro-Opto Corporation (WEO), as one of three companies chosen to perform phase-I research, was selected to move forward toward Phase-II. The Phase-II objectives are to support the LRBS (Long Range Broadcast System) payload development effort in the PGR program. WEO’s proposed technical approach is based on its unique broadband, low-profile, conformable Spiral-Mode Microstrip (SMM) antenna technology. While the feasibility of this technical approach has been demonstrated in Phase-I using frequency-scaled breadboard models, Phase-II research must deal with effects of the pod and the antenna EMC/EMI issues. Refinements and tradeoffs of the design to meet the LRBS specifications are needed. Prototypes with TRL 6 or higher are to be developed and delivered.