Conformal Lightweight Antenna Structures for Aeronautical Communication Technologies

Downey, James M ; Schoenholz, Bryan L

关键词: ANTENNA DESIGN;    ANTENNA COMPONENTS;    AIRCRAFT COMMUNICATION;    PILOTLESS AIRCRAFT;    BEYOND VISUAL LINE OF SIGHT (BVLOS);    COMMAND AND CONTROL;    UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES (UAV);    STRUCTURAL DESIGN;   

RP-ID  :  GRC-E-DAA-TN75007

美国|英语

来源: NASA Technical Reports Server

【 摘 要 】

This project developed an antenna to enable beyond line of sight (BLOS) command and control for small UAVs. We took advantage of a newly assigned provisional Ku-band spectrum for UAVs and used unique antenna design to avoid interference with ground systems. This required the design of an antenna with high isotropic effective radiated power (EIRP) and ultra-low sidelobes. The antenna was made with polymer aerogel as a substrate to both reduce weight and improve performance, as demonstrated in an Aero Seedling. In addition, designing the antennas to be conformal to the aircraft fuselage will reduce drag.