A Low-Cost, Lightweight MTM Enhanced Conformal Antenna for GPS/Communication Systems

This Phase I SBIR program will result in the design, simulation and construction of a prototype of a multi-band GPS/Communication system antenna. To accomplish this task, NanoSonic is staffed or has teamed with a unique combination of engineers, chemists and materials scientists capable of designing, simulating and fabricating this array. NanoSonic will consult with the USAF and a defense prime integrator for guidance and application metrics. The NanoSonic PI is antenna engineer with many years experience in both hardware implementation and simulation software construction. In Phase I NanoSonic would design a suitable antenna meeting the constraints for gain, polarization, bandwidth, scanning and physical characteristics. In the design of the antenna, NanoSonic would employ a state-of-the-art computational electromagnetics code to achieve rapid design iterations. NanoSonic would then construct structured antennas using the unique inkjet and self-assembly processes that are used to create Metal Rubber™ in combination with unique dielectric and metamaterial substrates to create a conformal antenna. These self assembled materials can be applied to severe, doubly curved surfaces without de-bonding or cracking; the inkjet process has been employed to fabricate array antennas and microstrip feeds. NanoSonic foresees integrating these processes to create highly integrated antennas and antennas in structural composites.