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Innovative Visually Covert Antennas

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency 		Award ID:
26418 		Program Year/Program:
1994 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
26418 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Waveworks/radio General
P.o. Box 633 Sterling, MA 01564
View profile »
Woman-Owned: Yes
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 1994
Title: Innovative Visually Covert Antennas
Agency / Branch: DOD / DARPA
Contract: N/A
Award Amount: $68,588.00
 

Abstract:

This proposal describes an innovative technical approach for the design and development of visually covert, low-power, low-gain antennas operating in selected portions of the 2-200OMHz frequency band. Our approach is two-fold: firstly, we propose to use planar radiating elements that (a) incorporate continuous impedance loading to extend the normal operating range or (b) have inherently broadband properties at the higher frequencies of interest; and secondly, we propose fabricating the antennas by sputtering or etching the antenna elements onto flexible plastic sheets that can be covered with a thin anti-reflective coating to further reduce the visual signature. This combined approach results in antennas with impedance characteristics that can be matched with a small fixed network or by a simple impedance transformation and are visually covert. The proposed antennas can be incorporated into the fabrication of composite or other non-conducting parts (Class I antennas) or easily affixed to conducting or non-conducting areas of a platform with minimal surface preparation (Class II antennas). Anticipated Benefits/Potential Applications - Military applications include: remote tracking and monitoring; mission protection and clandestine operations; concealing within soldier's clothing. Commercial appeal for general aviation, pleasure boating, cellular telephones in automobiles, and remote tracking of vehicles such as delivery trucks, trains and shipments of hazardous waste.

Principal Investigator:

Glynda Benham
5084226038

Business Contact:

Small Business Information at Submission:

Waveworks/radio General
P.o. Box 633 Sterling, MA 01564

EIN/Tax ID:
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No