SBIR-STTR Award

The Haleakala R&D Inc.will advance state of the art in antenna radomes as an electronic and RF protection for space-borne phased array antennas. The plasma frequency selective surface antenna radome acts as a reconfigurable shield for the antennas inside. We propose to use our plasma frequency selective surface radomes with plasma tubes embedded in an ultra-light and ultra -strong material called Synfoam (http://www.udccorp.com/synfoam.html). We will investigate and develop protection technologies with our plasma FSS radome for space-borne phased array antennas used for communications and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR). Since future transformational communications and radio frequency based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) space systems will likely involve advanced, high dynamic range transmitter/receiver devices and large but light-weight apertures, our plasma FSS radome technology is needed to address satellite system vulnerabilities that are associated with high dynamic range sensors and such large apertures. The type of ulnerabilities that our plasma FSS radome technology can address include Net-centric Warfare (penetrate satellite command uplink, insert false instruction and/or data, etc.) and direct radio frequency (RF) attack (spurious signal attack, spoofing attack, etc.). We will compare this to metal frequency selective surface radomes with slots filled with Synfoam and hybrid plasma-metal frequency selective surface radomes. We will research plasma frequency selective surfaces with plasma tubes embedded in Synfoam, and metal slot FSS filled with Synfoam, and hybrid models to meet the Air Force goals

The Haleakala Research & Development, Inc has investigated and developed protection technologies with our plasma FSS radome for space-borne phased array antennas used for communications and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR). Since future transformational communications and radio frequency based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) space systems will likely involve advanced, high dynamic range transmitter/receiver devices and large but light-weight apertures, our plasma FSS radome technology is needed to address satellite system vulnerabilities that are associated with high dynamic range sensors and such large apertures. The type of vulnerabilities that our plasma FSS radome technology can address include Net-centric Warfare (penetrate satellite command uplink, insert false instruction and/or data, etc.) and direct radio frequency (RF) attack (spurious signal attack, spoofing attack, etc.). Our plasma radomes in combination with our plasma antennas and plasma antenna arrays provide several layers of reducing susceptibility to potential vulnerabilities, shielding against (RF) weapons, and optimizing the effectiveness of defensive systems. In addition we have begun to develop techniques for specific (radar and communications) emitter identification and engagement. We are also developing flexible digital signal and data processing techniques for new, programmable, adaptive systems to enable 'surgical' responses to, and suppression of, targeted opponent systems, while minimizing effects on non-targeted emitters

Keywords:
Plasma antennas, Plasma frequency selective surfaces, Plasma radomes, Plasma antenna arrays, Plasma smart antennas, Electronic Scan Array Antenna,Tran