Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N162-111

Description

To address the Navy need for innovative, ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) SATCOM antennas with low-elevation-angle coverage to meet the operational needs of Naval Special Warfare such as SEAL Delivery Vehicles, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Submersible High-Gain Instrumentation Low-Elevation-Angle Antenna (Sub-GLEA). The innovation in electromagnetic field conditioning will enable reliable, high-gain, low-elevation-angle antennas for SDV in a small form factor. The Sub-GLEA is a monopole, wideband, high-gain, right hand circular polarization antenna, optimally designed for UHF SATCOM frequencies, that fits within an existing radome configuration. Therefore, this technology offers improved gain and elevation angle, which directly address the Navy requirements. Phase I focuses on conceptual design of the innovative low-elevation-angle UHF SATCOM antenna; POC will design the system, and will evaluate it against factors such as beam forming capability, gain, elevation angle, polarization, size, weight, power, cost, and radiation characteristics such as field of regard, instantaneous field of view, beam width, spectrum, and pattern tuning. In Phase II, POC will develop and demonstrate the feasibility with a prototype antenna and relevant drive electronics, through testing in an anechoic chamber or other suitable test facility.