Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: AF161-022

Description

ABSTRACT: To address the Air Force need for advanced radar characterization of fighter aircraft, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Near Field Scanner (NeFS). The proposed NeFS solution is based on novel RF/microwave sensing and scanning technologies. Specifically, the innovation in sensor miniaturization and broadband functionality, combined with an innovative 3D scanning platform, will enable the NeFS to measure near-field radiation patterns from a large-scale radar installed in an aircraft in an anechoic chamber and in open air. This fully-automated technology offers significantly enhanced portability (installation/removal in <1 hr), broadband operation capability (0.1~18 GHz), sub-wavelength spatial resolution (up to 50 times enhancement) in near-field measurements, and accurate far-field extraction from near-field data. The enhanced functionality of the system directly addresses the Air Force requirements for portable near-field measurement systems. In Phase I, POC will leverage its on-going developments and expertise in this area to successfully demonstrate the feasibility of the NeFS technology by developing and characterizing the probe and its supporting systems as well as the data analysis algorithms, reaching TRL-3. In Phase II, POC plans to enhance, optimize, and ruggedize the NeFS technology to meet additional Air Force requirements and reach TRL-6.; BENEFIT: RF and microwave antennas can be found in many military, government, industrial, and commercial applications, including wireless communications, radars, electro-optics, nondestructive testing, etc. Broadband characteristics and accuracy offered by the NeFS technology potentially allows adoption of the measurement system in characterizing various antenna-based devices.