Conformal Ultrawideband electro-optical receiving array antenna

The increasing demand for additional antennas competing for space on already heavily populated flight platforms continues to drive the need for solutions to the resulting electromagnetic interference (EMI) between these antennas. IPITEK proposes a solution for multifunctional conformal antenna arrays having excellent EMI immunity. Based on its development of an all dielectric ultrawideband Electro-Optical EO RF field sensor, the Conformal Ultrawideband EO Receiving Array antenna (CUERA) offers conventional radio and radar systems sensitivity with RF sensing and remote signal detection through thin, lightweight fiber optic cables. The dielectric character of the EO sensors and conformal mounting can help to reduce radar cross section and increase combat survivability. IPITEK proposes to determine the feasibility of using the EO sensor in a conformal antenna array. The Phase I Base program will study and critically evaluate the conformal antenna application conditions, including prototype device testing in close proximity to a conducting surface. In a Phase I Option, the detailed design for a CUERA demo unit will be developed towards Phase II efforts. In Phase II, a demonstration prototype CUERA unit will be built and tested in a vehicle mock up. The concluded results will be used for production of CUERA units in Phase III.