High Frequency High Gain High Power Microwave Antenna

OUSD (R&E) MODERNIZATION PRIORITY: Directed Energy TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Electronics; Materials; Battlespace OBJECTIVE: The objective of this SBIR is to design, build, and test high frequency, high gain antennas for High Power Microwave (HPM) applications [1]. There are two main thrusts to this effort. One is a compact mechanically or electrically phased antenna. At the end of the Phase III, the desired end state would be a full design, to include both electromagnetic simulations and mechanical drawings, as well as hardware that could be tested. The other thrust would be for a larger broadband antenna that can cover the entire X- and Ku-band. The desired end state of the Phase III of this effort would be a full design, to include both electromagnetic simulations and mechanical drawings. DESCRIPTION: There are two main thrusts to this effort. One is the development of a phased array antenna suitable for HPM sources at GW power levels. Phased antennas have the benefit of reduced size, weight and power (SWaP) due to their low profile, potential conformal geometries to meet host platform requirements, and their ability to provide beam steering via phase shifting of their elements rather than bulk antenna movement. Phase shifting may be achieved by means of mechanical actuators (e.g. physical manipulation of individual elements) [2], or by means of controlling the electromagnetic fields at each element (e.g. high power phase shifters). The second thrust is for a large broadband antenna that can cover the entire X-band and Ku-band (8-18 GHz). Instantaneous full bandwidth is highly desired, but a tunable bandwidth covering this frequency range is acceptable. A wide bandwidth, high gain, steerable antenna will enable the next generation of HPM systems to deliver enhanced effects against a broader selection of targets. PHASE I: The contractor must demonstrate through electromagnetic simulation a phased array antenna with at least 40 dBi of gain at discrete frequencies within the X- and Ku-band. The antenna shall be phase steerable with at least +/- 20 degrees in both azimuth and elevation as well as be capable of handling GW power levels. The contractor shall demonstrate through electromagnetic simulations a wideband antenna that covers the entire frequency range of X- and Ku-band. The antenna shall be slewable from -15 to 90 degrees in elevation, 360 degrees in azimuth as well as be capable of handling GW power levels. PHASE II: The contractor shall design, build, and demonstrate a single element of the phased array antenna designed in Phase I. The module shall demonstrate all electromagnetic parameters needed in order to satisfy the full array requirements described in Phase I. The contractor shall work on improving the full array design to include customer requirements for platform and source integration, as well as determine the limiting factors and trade-offs as it relates to frequency bandwidths, steerability (precision, slew rates, and angular limits), and power handling. The contractor shall continue the design on the wideband slewable antenna. The contractor shall conduct a design review to address and resolve all critical system-wide performance parameters. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The contractor shall design, build, and demonstrate a module of at least 5 elements suitable for incorporating into the full array designed in Phase I and II. This module shall demonstrate all electromagnetic parameters needed in order to satisfy the full array requirements described in Phase II. The contractor shall provide the cost and schedule to fabricate and demonstrate the full phased array antenna. The contractor shall deliver a complete technical data package for the full array to include all electromagnetic simulations and manufacturing-ready drawings. The contractor shall complete the design of the wideband slewable antenna. The contractor shall conduct a design review to ensure that the antenna can meet the stated performance requirements. The contractor shall provide the cost and schedule to fabricate and demonstrate the antenna. The contractor shall deliver a complete technical data package for the antenna to include all electromagnetic simulations and manufacturing-ready drawings. REFERENCES: Y. Rahmat-Samii, D. -. Duan, D. V. Giri and L. F. Libelo, "Canonical examples of reflector antennas for high-power microwave applications," in IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 197-205, Aug. 1992, doi: 10.1109/15.155830. ; L. F. Libelo and C. M. Knop, "A corrugated waveguide phase shifter and its use in HPM dual-reflector antenna arrays," in IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 31-35, Jan. 1995, doi: 10.1109/22.363011. KEYWORDS: high power microwave; HPM; antenna