SBIR-STTR Award

Agile RF Systems LLC has proposed a unique solution to realizing a multiple beam antenna (MBA) architecture at V/W band that substantially reduces physical integration complexity. The proposed antenna architecture allows physical separation of transmit and receive feed networks resulting in the requisite isolation for full duplex networks met using a distributed combination of spatial and spectral techniques. Furthermore, the MBA is achieved without requiring multiple full scale antenna deployments to intersperse beams or a highly linearized active beamforming network. The proposed solution enables overlapped feeds to achieve high efficiency operation of the antenna for each spot beam using passive structures. The requisite field of view that enables spot beam relocation is accomplished using an innovative 2-axis mechanism that reduces actuator complexity and increasing system reliability for launch and long life operations in space. The active MMICs baselined greatly simplify the frequency up and down conversion functions in a highly integrated package containing all the required low noise and transmit power amplifiers.

Agile RF Systems LLC has baselined a low risk, high performance solution to realizing a multiple beam antenna (MBA) architecture at V/W band that substantially reduces physical integration complexity. The antenna architecture allows physical separation of transmit and receive feed networks using an innovative dichroic filter while achieving very high transmit to receive isolation. The assembly is constructed using high strength with very high temperature stability carbon graphite reflectors and structures. The feeds are based on a high precision monolithic block fabrication approach to simplify alignment and integration. The block ensures excellent heat sinking for the active transmitter and receiver modules. The active MMICs baselined for these modules greatly simplify the frequency up and down conversion functions in a highly integrated package containing all the required low noise and transmit power amplifiers. A complete 19 beam MBA with active modules and Earth Coverage Antenna will be designed, fabricated and tested in Phase II.