Compact conformal arrays

This proposal requests funds to pursue development and demonstration of compact conformal array antennas that are based on the concept of a Self-Structuring Antenna (SSA). The SSA is an entirely new class of re-configurable antenna can automatically adapt to assure optimal performance regardless of environment or signal conditions. Advanced search algorithms in the SSA efficiently find optimal states from among billions of possible configurations. By pre-configuring the SSA memory with known good states for various modes and frequencies, the SSA can be used as a dynamically configurable antenna. In the proposed work, the SSA is investigated as an array and as an array element for use in compact conformal arrays. Applying the SSA concept to array antennas may allow added increased bandwidth and functionality with reduced size and weight. The inherent adaptability of the SSA allows multi-mission functionality and the ability to continue operating if portions of the array or array elements are damaged.