Compact High-Frequency Antennas

In this Phase I project Pharad and UCLA propose to create new physically small, electrically large HF antennas for vehicle-mount and man-portable applications. We will utilize a combination of antenna size reduction techniques: volumetric engineering; fractal structures; and slow-wave structures to realize novel small, efficient 2 - 30 MHz radiators that meet the size requirements of 500 cubic centimeters. We will design the printed radiator on light-weight, highly flexible, low loss material to ensure the resulting antenna meets the weight requirements of 500 grams. We will also ensure the antenna is compatible with commercially available HF antenna couplers. Throughout this project we will use rigorous, full-wave electromagnetic simulation tools to study each size reduction approach in detail and ensure we achieve the optimal performance for the resulting small HF antenna. As part of Phase I, we will also fabricate and test the performance of a proof-of-principle prototype of our proposed small HF solution. We will also conduct a preliminary investigation into the health related aspects of the man-portable version of the antenna and ensure the class of radiators is compliant with ANSI/IEEE standards. The new small antenna technologies created here will greatly decrease the size of military tactical HF antennas.BENEFITS: The antenna assemblies that result from this STTR program will eliminate the issues with the current whip antennas used for HF communications. These whip antennas are extremely long and hinder the ability of US Marines to accomplish their mission. We envision that the ultimate form of the antennas that are developed as part of this program will be mounted on US Marine tactical vehicles and on US Marine combat personnel. In addition to the Marine Corp, the US Army should benefit from this HF antenna technology.