Fiore proposes to explore a novel high power microwave antenna design suitable for a variety of field platforms and applications. The proposed antenna is 7 meters square, consisting of many smaller elements phased within the array topology. The antenna element frequency response, gain and directivity as well as high power limits will be considered. With the distributed RF amplification using current technology, the goals of this SBIR can be well achieved. The nominal design will incorporate the L-band amplifiers into the antenna itself, using COTS semiconductor components now becoming available in mass production. Power input, control distribution and heat extraction must all be addressed. State-of-the-art technology in element switching and phasing will be explored for a next generation device capable of fast direction scanning. Phasing algorithms will be explored for a set of alternative antenna radiation patterns. A survey of many families of fractal antenna candidates will be explored to extend the overall bandwidth, with some physical scale models tested as necessary. Scale models will be built and tested for bandwidth and directivity using a reference antenna and a network analyzer.
Benefits: The benefits from this SBIR would encompass broadband antennas, sensitive and directive for an electrically thin size, realizable in a conformal form factor on a variety of possible surfaces. High power directed-waveform applications would greatly benefit from this antenna. This antenna would also be highly attractive for platforms requiring multiple-use apertures, especially incorporating highly-directional GPS reception immune to interference from other directions.
