Electrically Small Antenna/Sensor for Low Frequency Detection/Direction Finding

This proposed research and development effort delivers electrically small, lightweight, ultrawideband (UWB), vector sensor technology for Direction Finding (DF) with gain, and system sensitivity, suitable to detect and DF HF, VHF and higher frequency emitters at operationally relevant standoff ranges. The UWB vector sensors will have operating band and instantaneous bandwidth that match (e.g. 450 kHz to 200 MHz) to enable tracking and DF of modern emitters, including Frequency Hopping, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum, noise-like and short pulse waveforms.The effort leverages learning from recent innovations in UWB vector sensors that are based on arrays of cylindrical Dual Port Antenna (DPA) elements. The arrays require significant whitespace between every DPA elements and every conductive surface. The technology of this effort will eliminate the whitespace and fully utilize the available space for capture area. The goal is a single metallization 3 to 7 port vector sensor that optimizes the available space to maximize capture area and directivity. The company anticipates a 12 to 18 dB improvement in system sensitivity if successful.This project will have many possibilities for opportunistic flight tests with the company’s other customers, sponsors and partners. Frequent fly-fix-fly opportunities will greatly risk reduce and accelerate the technology maturation.