SBIR-STTR Award

Controlled Reception Pattern Antennas for Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
Award last edited on: 10/12/2011

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : AF
Total Award Amount
$850,000
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
AF103-094
Principal Investigator
Tariq A Mujahed

Company Information

Toyon Research Corporation (AKA: Data Tools for Citizen Science)

6800 Cortona Drive
Goleta, CA 93117
   (805) 968-6787
   toyoninfo@toyon.com
   www.toyon.com
Location: Multiple
Congr. District: 24
County: Santa Barbara

Phase I

Contract Number: FA9453-11-M-0103
Start Date: 2/18/2011    Completed: 00/00/00
Phase I year
2011
Phase I Amount
$100,000
Toyon Research Corporation’s six-element GPS antenna rejects cross polarization over the entire hemisphere by no less than 15 dB when summed in the first fundamental mode of operation. The antenna was designed for a direction-finding application where high levels of multi-path were present. The antenna diameter is 5” and it was designed for operation in the L1 – L2 GPS bands. Toyon proposes to modify the current design by replacing the six antenna elements with a thick patch design. The thick patches were designed for an OE-538 submarine mast, and they cover all of the GNSS bands. The thick patches are significantly larger in diameter than the original elements, so the total diameter of the array will go from 5” to no greater than 11.4”. Toyon will also add one additional antenna element to the center of the array, bringing the total number of elements to seven.

Benefit:
Geodetic grade GPS antennas on the market today are expensive, need large ground-planes or choke rings, and can be somewhat heavy pieces of hardware. The GPS antenna that Toyon proposes to design for the GNSS solution is ideal in many ways. The antenna does not require a ground-plane and the antenna’s height profile will be less than 1.5”. The cross polarization of the antenna is unmatched because of the orientation of the antenna elements. The nulling performance of the antenna is enhanced because of the vertical aperture of the array.

Keywords:
Gps, Gnss, Antenna, Phase-Center, Array, Multi-Path, Crpa, Anti-Jam, Null

Phase II

Contract Number: FA9453-12-C-0114
Start Date: 7/17/2012    Completed: 00/00/00
Phase II year
2012
Phase II Amount
$750,000
Toyon Research Corporation’s 8” Phase I controlled reception pattern array (CRPA) is matched across the entire upper and lower frequency bands of the global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). The array consists of one centrally located element and six tilted surrounding elements. The tilted elements add vertical aperture to the array allowing for excellent cross polarization rejection and 360 degree nulling at fixed elevation angles. Toyon will continue to reduce the size and weight of the array in Phase II by miniaturizing the array elements, adjusting the tilt of the elements, and experimenting with alternative materials. Toyon will perform a market analysis on the emerging GNSS programs in the DoD to get an indication as to what form factor of antennas are required. Two potential programs to which this technology can be applied include The NAVWAR Trinity (TNT) and Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS). Toyon will fabricate two CRPAs of different size in Phase II, and the size of the arrays shall be dictated by the results of our market analysis. The two different size arrays will be designed for flight and two rugged prototypes of each will be delivered to the Air Force for evaluation.

Benefit:
Toyon will fabricate and deliver two different rugged GNSS CRPAs by the end of the Phase II contract. This will benefit the DoD and Toyon since arrays of various size will be available to government agencies and commercial prime contractors as demos. Toyon’s approach will maximize our chances of commercial success by being able to market our technology to a range of platforms.

Keywords:
Gps, Gnss, Antenna, Crpa, Multi-Path, Tnt, Anti-Jam, Null