Compact Low Cost Lens Antennas for Satellite Communications

Satellite communication is critical for continuous uninterrupted high-speed connectivity on a variety of mobile military platforms (e.g. SatCom On-the-Move (SOTM)). The current geosynchronous equatorial orbit (GEO) SOTM terminals employ high altitude satellites (i.e. ~36,000 km) resulting in high path-loss and increased latencies and issues with resiliency. To improve on current SOTM bandwidth and reliability there is a desire to integrate additional and simultaneous communication links including low-earth orbit (LEO) and medium-earth orbit (MEO) satellites within a single SOTM terminal. However, these satellites constellations move with respect to the earth creating new technical challenges for ground based terminal designs. In this SBIR call the Army is requesting novel lens based antenna systems that can meet or exceed the technical specifications of legacy systems but also provide multibeam and multiband capabilities at a low per unit cost. DeLUX Advanced Manufacturing proposes to meet this challenge by leveraging our expertise in the design and additive manufacture of advanced graded index lenses and integrated feed networks.