Low SWaP Hypersonic Plasma Mitigation Device for RF Transmission

The herein proposed solution for mitigating the negative effects of the hypersonic plasma layer on RF propagation and surface heating is to manipulate the plasma layer in the vicinity of the antenna aperture to allow electromagnetic (EM) waves to propagate. Key benefits of this novel approach include that it is (1) capable of providing continuous transmission during the entire flight to allow communications at any time during the 6-minute reentry, (2) a much lower size, weight, and power (SWaP) device than alternative methods, (3) scalable to operate over a range of frequencies (e.g., L-, S-, C-, X-, Ku-band), (4) adaptable to varying environmental and vehicle parameters (e.g., plasma properties, vehicle shape and trajectory, etc.), (5) relatively insensitive to antenna placement on the vehicle, and (6) agnostic to the design details of the high temperature aperture configuration so it can be integrated into nearly any antenna system. The concept design is supported with (1) extensive aerothermal simulations of the hypersonic environment at engineering and high-fidelity levels to provide electron number density profiles, and (2) plasma simulations using CFD Research’s Hypersonic Mitigation Analysis Code (HyperMAC). The proof-of-concept solution from Phase I will include design specifications to build and test the prototype in Phase II by leveraging the team’s large test chamber and plasma sources.