N132-087 TITLE: Compact Radar Antenna

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Weapons

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Program; (ACAT IV)

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN CITIZENS (i.e., those holding non-U.S. Passports): This topic is "ITAR Restricted". The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 - 130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data. Foreign Citizens may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign citizen who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal will be rejected.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a compact, highly efficient antenna for two separate mobile high-power radar systems, one operating in L-Band frequency range (1-2 GHz) and the other in W-Band frequencies (95GHz). Radio frequency systems, using high power microwaves, operating in L-Band have military utility for RF Vehicle Stopping and non-lethal counter-electronics missions. RF Systems operating in the W-Band are used for non-lethal counter-personnel Active Denial Technologies (ADT) missions. The two systems are not identical; therefore, design solutions will be accepted for both requirements or for only one of the two requirements.

DESCRIPTION: The L-Band system produces greater than 10 megawatts peak power into the antenna. The desired antenna must be waveguide-fed and able to operate at a peak power duty cycle greater than 0.001 with a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) no greater than 1.5:1. The desired solution will achieve high gain (30 dB or greater) with a small diameter (1 meter diameter or less) aperture, assuming an aperture area-efficiency of at least 50%. The ability to steer the antenna is preferred with plus/minus 30 degrees threshold and 60 degrees objective in azimuth and plus/minus 5 degrees threshold and 15 degrees objective in elevation angle.

The W-Band system produces greater than 30 kilowatts peak power into the antenna. There is no VSWR requirement for the W-Band system as the antenna should be a quasi-optical feed (instead of waveguide feed). The entrance pupil shall be � inch square (porting the 10kW of power) and be able to: (1) project a collimated uniform beam of 95GHz energy with an effective beam size that will repel human targets; human effects data will be provided at contract award and (2) deliver a power density that will be specified to the performer once the contract is awarded. The design shall also have the ability to steer the antenna to provide a plus/minus 30 degrees threshold and 60 degrees objective in (pan) azimuth and a plus/minus 5 degrees threshold and 15 degrees objective in (tilt) elevation angle.

Any physical configuration that could meet the stated requirements providing substantial reduction in antenna size (i.e., smaller than 28 inches x 28 inches x 80 inches) and weight (i.e., less than 500 pounds (threshold), less than 250 pounds (objective)) will be considered. Solutions may include, but do not have to be limited to, "RF Lensing, RF Dielectric Meta-materials, 3D RF Antenna Stacking, and RF MEMS Based" technologies.

PHASE I: Identify potential approaches to develop a compact, high efficiency antenna for the two separate mobile high-power radar systems. Perform feasibility studies to determine the extent to which the potential approaches meet one or both of the antenna requirements.

PHASE II: Perform design and trade-off studies between competing designs to determine the best possible approach or approaches to achieve the antenna requirements. The design and trade-off studies should include specific antenna gain and architecture trade-offs to minimize volume. Build a prototype from the best possible approach or approaches.

PHASE III: Develop and utilize a method for verifying the prototype antenna system performance through testing. Document the testing method and results.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: This technology could be used by any branch of the military or by civilian forces as a subsystem required for a reduced size, highly mobile RF antenna.

REFERENCES:
1. Antoniades, M.A. et al, "Compact, Wideband and Multiband Antennas Based on Metamaterial Concepts", IEEE.

2. Balanis, Constantine, Antenna Theory Third Edition, "Fundamental Limit of Electrically Small Antennas" pp 637-641.

3. Volakis, John L., Antenna Engineering Handbook, Fourth Edition, Lens Antennas, Chapter 18, and Millimeter-wave antennas, Chapter 23.

4. Ziolkowski, R. W.; Lin, Chia-Ching; Nielsen, Jean A.; Tanielian, Minas H.; Holloway, Christopher L. (August - September 2009). "Design and Experimental Verification of...". Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, IEEE 8: 989-993.

KEYWORDS: Non-Lethal Weapons, RF Lensing, RF Dielectric Material

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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