Low-cost 3D prInted luneBurg lens for Resilient SATCOM (LIBRA)

To address the United States Space Force’s need for technologies and systems to improve SATCOM link resilience, throughput, and reduce user equipment, Lunewave proposes to develop a new Low-cost 3D prInted luneBurg lens for Resilient SATCOM (LIBRA). LIBRA is based on our mature, technology readiness level (TRL)-7 millimeter wave Luneburg lens antenna design and 3D printing lens manufacture technology. Specifically, the innovation in utilizing state-of-the-art 3D printing to fabricate custom designed, high performance Luneburg lens enables low size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C), up to full 4? solid angle field-of-regard (FoR), broadband and simultaneous multi-beam lens antennas, advantageous over legacy dish antennas or phased array antennas. As a result, LIBRA SATCOM terminals offers an resilient, high throughput, yet quite affordable next-generation tactical terminal that supports high-speed connection and tracking of multiple satellites simultaneously in different orbits, with FoR coverage of full 360° azimuth and zenith to below-horizon elevation. A notional LIBRA terminal will cover multi- military and commercial bands with >30 dB antenna gain, link with >2 satellites in LEO, MEO, or GEO simultaneously, and with key specs such as EIRP, receive gain-to-noise temperature (G/T) and MIL-STD compliance meeting Space Force (SF) requirements. With its large FoR, low SWaP, and absence of mechanically scanning, LIBRA terminal is suitable for deployment on both stationary stations and mobile platforms, such as ground vehicles and aerial systems. In Phase I, Lunewave will design, develop, and demonstrate a lens antenna prototype with Ku/Ka dual bands coverage and antenna performances meeting Space Force Phase I requirements. A satellite terminal system will be designed based on this lens prototype, and a functional Ku (and/or Ka) band SATCOM terminal prototype for proof-of-concept may be demonstrated. A Phase II prototype specifications and system integration requirements will also be defined, with inputs from Space Force stake holders. In Phase II, Lunewave plan to refine the design and further develop the lens antenna and terminal prototype. A Phase II final prototype will demonstrate simultaneous SATCOM connectivity over multiple satellites with enhanced link throughput and resilience, and SWaP-C meeting requirements of targeted SF platforms or user groups. The demonstration will be held in laboratory test settings and potentially in initial field test settings, with Space Force participations.