SI2 TECHNOLOGIES, INC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: A19-143
SI2 TECHNOLOGIES, INC — SBIR Phase I award from Department of Defense.
- Amount
- $111,287
- Agency
- Department of Defense · Army
- Program / Phase
- SBIR · Phase I
- Topic
- A19-143
- Solicitation
- 19.3
- NAICS
- —
- Place of performance
- MA
- Period
- 2020-02-05 → 2021-01-08
Description
SI2 Technologies, Inc. (SI2) proposes to develop a 3D printed embedded cylindrical Ka-band antenna with multi-layer printed transmission line feed network. The proposed program will provide a pathway to designing and easily fabricating low-SWAP-C multi-material AM antennas and other RF devices on the outside and inside of a cylindrical body with a 6-inch diameter. SI2 offers a unique combination of AM experience and RF design expertise for the development of cost-effective, 3D-printed antennas. In Phase I, prototypes of transmission lines will be printed onto the surface of a printed low-loss dielectric, such as Ultem, cylinder, and evaluated at Ka-band. SI2 will also print a 1x4 Ku-band (12-18 GHz) patch antenna onto a 6-inch diameter cylinder and test antenna the pattern at SI2’s nearfield range. Lessons learned from SI2’s Phase I process development effort will be applied in Phase II to the fabrication of an AM Ka-band (up to 35 GHz) antenna structure in a fully-automated process and in a single print. The printed prototypes will be environmentally tested, including shock, vibration, humidity, and temperature cycling. The prototypes will be tested to failure and the failure modes will be diagnosed.