Ultra-Wide Band High Performance RF Links

"Under the proposed program, Mission Research Corporation (MRC) will develop and demonstrate an ultra wideband, circularly polarized, antenna array element technology. This technology would be a direct extension of the concept investigated during Phase I.This approach appears very promising and, as a result, DARPA has agreed to fund an additional $250K to supplement this proposed program. This particular technology offers a relatively simple radiator candidate to achieve ultra wideband array requirementsas compared to other conventional approaches. One very important feature of this element is that a broad banded balun is not required. Additionally, the elements are inherently circularly polarized, and therefore do not require a broadband hybrid.Lastly, no absorptive backing is needed to mitigate unwanted ground plane effects. Physically, all of these features can be provided in a low profile, lightweight, conformal package. During Phase II, MRC will continue to improve the bandwidth of thiselement by optimizing a number of different design parameters. The additional funds provided by DARPA will allow MRC to develop and to demonstrate a dual polarized array. Ultimately, MRC will design, fabricate, and test an array of single and dualpolarized elements. Program deliverables include an array simulator and demonstration array of each."