LIGHT-WEIGHT SATCOM MULTI-BAND ANTENNAS USING FLAP TECHNOLOGY

Malibu Research had recently developed a FLAPS phased surface technique for construction of thin electromagnetic structures having the capability of scattering incident RF energy in specific preferred directions with designof phase properties. Its primary application to date has been the replacement of standard solid parabolic reflector antennas with a planar structure having a much lower weight and superior form factor. To date we have used this technique for construction of several antennas for missile seeker and airborne radar applications. One physical realization of the FLAPS antenna is construction in the form of a wide mesh "tennis racquet" using plated Levlar string. Such a construction as a replacement for a solid SATCOM antenna results in a much lighter antenna and a very much lower wind loading. The much lower weight and wind loading would allow for installation of multiple antennas on an existing pedestal and control system. As is shown in our proposal, this FLAPS antenna lends itself very well to multiple band operation within the same antenna. Additionally, increased performance can be obtained by increasing the size of the antenna while still maintaining a lower weight and compatibility with existing pedestal systems. Under this proposed Phase I effort, the feasibility of such a multi-band, increased performance, lower weight antenna installed on the existing single antenna pedestal would be established. Our proposal gives an example of a recently completed Malibu Research 20 ft. C-band SARCOM FLAP's antenna using esactly this concept for operation in 60 knot winds.