Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to advance and complete the development in Phas

Description

Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to advance and complete the development in Phase II of the new Transmit-Receive Extremely Low Frequency to Very Low Frequency Directional Antenna (TREDA) technology. TREDA addresses the DARPA need for a small, directional, high gain antenna to operate in the 1 Hz-100 kHz frequency band. Phase I work conclusively demonstrated TREDA feasibility through analysis, numerical simulation, and experimental demonstration. Overall system architecture, system prototype design, and a test plan for Phase II have been developed. The Phase I feasibility study demonstrated the capability of TREDA to provide high gain (>-15 dBi), directionality (>-9 dBi), and efficiency, narrow beamwidth (3 degrees), highly positive forward-to-back ratio (>45 dB), and high input power (>1000 W) in a compact footprint. In addition, size, weight, and power analysis showed that the TREDA system can be integrated into existing military stationary airborne platforms for application to detection and characterization of underground tunnels. In Phase II, POC will finalize the development of the TREDA technology and ready it for transition to a DoD program in Phase III. The groundbreaking TREDA Phase II prototype will be fully characterized and performance will be demonstrated to DARPA personnel.