Reconfigurable Antenna Integration in Aperstructures

Toyon Research Corporation proposes to further develop and demonstrate a multifunctional design methodology that will enable an electronically reconfigurable antenna (ERA) system to be integrated into the load-bearing structure of a ship. It is a goal of this study to enhance the EM/Power design toolkit and methodology so that it can effectively be used for the design of Aperstructures. An Aperstructure is an integrated, multifunctional, low-observable structure. Hence, the electromagnetic functions (which can include antenna systems as well as low-observable elements) are integrated into the structural design. The objective is to develop an Aperstructure design toolkit which will allow the development of reconfigurable skins, surfaces, and structures which will make more efficient and optimal use of limited vehicle or platform space. In addition we will develop a design, perform the numerical analysis and performance predictions, and build and test a working Aperstructure section. The design goal will be to design a section that we can model using the enhanced EM/Power Toolkit and that can be tested for both electromagnetic and structural performance. The goal will be to work directly with ONR and NSWC Carderock Division to design, model, and test a working Aperstructure section.