The proposed project involves the integration of an Artificial Magnetic Materials (AMMs) with a planar antenna system with the system exhibiting multiple RFI mitigation features. The system will protect against spatial RFI by using a metamaterial surface to reduce the beamwidth of the radiation pattern. The antenna systems will be designed as an array of supercells consisting of the radiating element and the metamaterial reflector. Cells would be configured using a butler matrix and create a focused beam which would further reduce spatial RFI. The proposed technology will provides a Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) advantage over SATCOM antenna systems currently deployed in CUBESATs. The applications for this technology are focused for CUBESATs and satellite-based communication systems.
Benefit: The anticipated benefits of the Phase I project on the integration of Artificial Magnetic Materials with planar antennas (AMM/antenna system) are as follows. First, the AMM/antenna system will provide far superior RFI protection relative to existing antenna systems used on CUBESATs. Second, the size weight and power requirements of the AMM/antenna system are low, as well as the cost of manufacture. Third, the project team includes organizations that are experienced in AMM research and development, as well as communication systems and the team is capable of rapid and extensive commercialization of the AMM/antenna system. The AMM/antenna system will benefit the applications of civilian and military communication systems, and satellite-based remote sensing instruments.
Keywords: Electromagnetic interference, Electromagnetic interference, artificial magnetic material, SATCOM, metamaterials, Antennas, cubesat, ultra high frequency, Radio Frequency Interference
