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Novel Deployable High Frequency Antennas Using Composite Electro-Textiles

Award Information

Agency:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
77589 		Program Year/Program:
2007 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
055176 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Infoscitex Corporation
303 BEAR HILL RD WALTHAM, MA -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 2
Fiscal Year: 2007
Title: Novel Deployable High Frequency Antennas Using Composite Electro-Textiles
Agency: NASA
Contract: NNC07CA08C
Award Amount: $599,783.00
 

Abstract:

In this Phase I program, the Infoscitex (IST) team focused primarily on the design and fabrication of a prototype high accuracy electro-textile mesh leading to a prototype that weighed 0.42 kg/m2 and provided 99.8 percent reflectivity during testing at 38GHz. Light weight composite fiber core materials have been identified for the Phase II effort allowing the team to extrapolate a mesh areal weight of 0.21 kg/m2. During the Phase I effort, the IST team also investigated passive inter-modulation (PIM) testing and developed material based design solutions to eliminate PIM for these prototype meshes. Limited US facilities exist for testing high frequency generated PIM and as a result, both the IST team and NASA have pledged to develop this service for both the NASA exploration and Air Force Responsive Space programs in the proposed Phase II program. A unique wrapped rib approach to providing precision deployable antenna structures was also investigated. The resulting preliminary antenna support structure design was estimated to have an areal weight of 0.88 kg/m2. With refinements in Phase II, the structure is envisioned to provide sufficient shape definition for the parabolic antenna surface accuracy requirements for Ka band communication.

Principal Investigator:

William T. Thompson
Principal Investigator
7818901338
bthompson@infoscitex.com

Business Contact:

William F. Thompson
Contracts Manager
7818901338
wthompson@infoscitex.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Infoscitex Corporation
303 Bear Hill Road Waltham, MA 02451

EIN/Tax ID: 043537120
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No