Novel Deployable High Frequency Antennas Using Composite Electro-Textiles

This proposed Phase I program will address NASA's need for large diameter high radio frequency (Ka band 27- 40 GHz) apertures that provide greater gain and resolution for communications and remote sensing systems. This will be accomplished by developing a new high accuracy electro-textile antenna surface as well as investigating a novel involute wrapped rib deployable support structure for large aperture antennas that is light weight and deploys out of a very small volume. The combination of light weight composite components will provide a new set of solutions for this growing need, both at NASA and the Air Force. Successful completion of the phase I program will demonstrate feasibility of the innovative electro-textile mesh and begin to quantify the potential benefits of Infoscitex's novel involute rib backing structure for deployable antennae. The phase I program will show that the new electro-textile mesh composite mesh has the necessary reflectivity and low PIM performance required of Ka Band antennae. A Phase II program would further refine the new electro-textile composite and permit the fabrication of an antenna demonstration article for deployment and RF testing with our aerospace industry partners.