Ultra Wide Band RF Antenna Element

This proposal will investigate innovative wide bandwidth and multi-band antennaelements for both receive and transmit functions. Antenna elements to be investigatedbut not limited to, are: sprial, log-periodic, end-loaded dipoles, vertical monopoles,and sinuous spiral antennas. The antenna elements will have the following features:1) fixed polarization across the bands of interest; 2) target bandwidth (though notlimited to): HF through GHz; 3) multifunction capability to minimize the totalnumber of aircraft apertures; 4) compatibility with RF/photonic wide band links. Theobjectives of this proposed Phase I effort are to study candidate apertures usingMRC/MSU developed conformal antenna modeling codes, selecting one or more aperturesfor further development and prototyping in Phase II, integrating project outputwith current and projected Air Force aperture requirements, and identifying multifunctionapertures that can be transitioned for civilian use (especially for existing andemerging wireless data, voice, and geolocation devices).In Phase II, the apertures will be further simulated and prototype apertures will bedesigned, built, and tested.1 - Multifunction apertures provide new functionality while reducing aircraft skinpenetrations. 2 - Ultra wide band apertures permit higher data rate transmissionand more thorough electronic warfare coverage. 3 - Multifunction antennas can bedesigned to reduce the aircraft's signature.