Development of Radio Frequency Mitigation Technologies for Missile Defense Electronics

Increased demands on the reliability of solid state electronics operating in an enriched electromagnetic environment necessitates the development of protection devices that cover a broad frequency band and that protect against high powers and pulses withvery short rise times. Current limiters have not been able to provide this wide range of protection. The objective of this proposal is to demonstrate a Fractal Limiter Device (FLD) that will protect sensitive electronic systems from various forms of highpower Electromagnetic Interference (EMI). The physical realization of such a device is accomplished by exploiting the fundamental properties of fractal antennas and signals (i.e., their geometrical similarity). In this proposal, it will be shown that thegeometrical self-similarity of radiation patterns emitted by fractal antennas allows one to construct transmit and receive fractal antenna elements that function as a receiver protection device (i.e., limiter). The FLD offers substantial advantages overtraditional limiters in that it will exhibit faster response times (picoseconds) and will provide reliable protection from a wider variety of high power external signal interference. The objective of Phase I is to prove, through assembly and test, that aFLD can be produced that will mitigate the effects of various forms of high power electromagnetic pulses on electronics.The need for cost effective limiter devices exhibiting fast response times and high power handling capabilities is continually growingin both commercial and defense electronics markets. Specific FLD applications include protection of communication receivers, computer networks, radio and television receivers, and medical diagnostic equipment.