Ultra Wide Band RF Antenna Element

The objective of this SBIR effort is to develop and demonstrate the technical feasibility of an improved ultra wideband antenna element technology suitable for both receive and transmit functions. The end goal is to significantly extend the currentstate-of-the-art in ultra wideband phased array and individual antenna technology, both from a performance as well as from a practical implementation standpoint. Efforts under this SBIR will focus on the development of several novel antenna architecturesthat are derived from the fundamental ultra-wideband electromagnetic mechanisms associated with so-called notch (Vivaldi) radiator. The proposed research program is strategically partitioned to address developments in both the ultra-wideband scanningphased array technologies as well as the ultra-wideband individual and low-to-medium gain antenna technologies. AOE proposes to investigate several novel antenna architectures from both categories, as both areas of technology clearly find importantapplications. In this heavily electromagnetic-simulation-based investigation, AOE will pursue technological advances not only with respect to ultra-wideband radiation performance, but also with respect to important practical antenna implementation issues,such as aperture cost, weight and physical profile (depth). AOE will use its own proprietary, 3D hybrid finite-element / method-of-moments phased array electromagnetic simulation software in addition to commercially available EM simulation tools toconduct this investigation.The results of this research will have far-reaching commercial and military applications with respect to ultra wideband communication, radar and multifunction systems. The resulting wideband antenna technologies can be used toreduce the required number of antenna apertures on military aircraft, ships and other vehicles that are already overpopulated with antennas. Additionally these technologies can be applied to commercial `smart antenna' applications and wall and ceilingmount PCS antenna applications.