Radio Frequency Communications for Unattended Ground Sensor and Munitions Systems

A comprehensive electromagnetic software suite is proposed for designing small, low-altitude VHF/UHF antennas for use in a network of unattended ground sensors. The software suite will use only physics-based propagation models based on full wave FDTD,UTD and Parabolic Equation methods to evaluate of the communication channel between the sensors. The proposed software suite will be the first of its kind that allows engineers to simulate the coupling of an antenna to the local surrounding environment and propagation path using an entirely physics based approach. The propagation models will take into account hills, small scale surface roughness, ground dielectric parameters, foliage and building interactions. The software will be used to design small wideband antennas for use on an unattended ground sensor (UGS). The designs will incorporate high permittivity substrate materials to reduce the physical size of the antenna. Off-the-self materials will be used to reduce the cost when possible.