Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: AF161-134

Description

ABSTRACT: To address the U.S. Air Force need for a low-profile multiband airborne satellite communications antenna, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Optically Scanned Conformal Aperture-limited, Antenna Array (OSCAR). This device is based on a multiband, low-SWaP (size, weight, and power) conformal antenna design utilizing a dielectric polymer substrate. Specifically, the innovation in the probe feed of the antenna will allow more antenna elements to be placed in a small area. Optical beam forming of array elements will enable the OSCAR to perform wideband, beamforming and steering without detrimental beam squinting as the frequency increases. POC anticipates low-profile multiband (X/Ka/Ku/Q), high-gain equivalent isolated radiated power >45 dBw, which is consistent with deployment on Group-5-sized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and minimally affects aerodynamics. In Phase I POC will develop and test a low-profile multiband conformal antenna through simulation, analysis, prototyping, and trade-space analysis of key performance parameters (frequency, gain, physical footprint, beamwidth, weight, and cost). In Phase II, POC plans to optimize OSCAR for USAF UAVs, quantifying performance metrics and enhancing the design through optimization, prototype fabrication, and validation testing cycles in a representative environment to reach TRL-5/-6. Finally POC will prepare a transition plan for OSCAR.; BENEFIT: OSCAR will be a high-gain conformal antenna with design flexibility for many size-constrained systems. The proposed technology can be applied to wireless communication and electronic warfare, as well as tagging, tracking, and location identification of different targets for border control. Its compact design can provide an excellent feed system for a wide range of civilian and commercial radiating elements. POCs OSCAR system can also be applied commercially, where it will find use in transmitters and receivers for telecommunications, sensors, and other applications requiring long-range data transfer, e.g., satellite uplink and downlink antenna systems; and for broadband data links for aircraft and radar in commercial airliners. The conformal structure of the OSCAR can be applied to antenna transmitters on water towers, buses, trains, and vehicles, for high-bandwidth data transfer such as WiMAX, and for wireless USB. POCs OSCAR also has applications in SATCOM on the move (SOTM) for TV and radio transmission and reception systems.