Low Power Radar and Wireless Network Communications for Small Cooperative UAVs (1000-016)

SI2 Technologies, Inc. (SI2) proposes an innovative low power, low cost, multi band SAR which can be integrated into the structure of small UAVs. In addition to the SAR, SI2 will also integrate high bandwidth wireless network communications into small UAVs, so that they operate cooperatively in sending data to ground assets either directly or via other UAVs in the squadron. Our approach is to integrate SI2's Direct Write design, materials and manufacturing technology with system design to fabricate conformal antenna systems that meet both structural and electronic system requirements. The technology is applicable to a wide variety of electrical systems, including tuning mechanisms and matching circuits to enable the radar high transfer efficiency necessary for severely power limited vehicles. These antennas and associated electronics can be integrated into structural locations, such as wings and fuselage with no drag and minimal weight penalty thus minimizing the impact on endurance while adding the desired radar capability to small UAVs.