Universal Antenna Laws
For over fifty (50) years, the narrative of antenna systems has remained the same:
They don’t work (reliably),
They are too big and bulky (and too heavy),
Their performance is too limited,
They cost too much,
“No one” understands how the “damn things” work in the first place!
Yet we continue to spend $100s-of-millions of dollars each year on the “next great antenna design,” without ever stopping to address the above issues that have plagued the industry (and its customers) from the very beginning. The following presents a mathematical design basis (understanding) for the antenna industry to “address the skeletons in its closet” and “exorcise its demons” by allowing antenna designers, system engineers and project managers to talk openly with their customers about the “why” behind the antenna system they are developing and the potential reasons / benefits of “less than optimal designs!”
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ANANKE - a Small Antenna Design Methodology
Our novel antenna formulation and mathematical design methodology uses a three-step process to both understand and optimize a given antenna design space. The process, known as Ananke offers the integration and standardization of three (3) advance antenna design methodologies into a user focused Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) architecture, which utilizes concepts from Information Theory and Quantum Mechanics to provide new levels of clarity for modern antenna design concepts. The integrated technology offers ability for Antenna Customers, Antenna Developers, Project Managers, as well as Mechanical and Systems Engineers to “truly” understand what a given antenna design space is capable of (and the impacts of given constraints) as well as a way of providing “apples-to-apples” comparison of various antenna design concepts.
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UHF Satcom Antennas
While providing critical BLOS (Beyond Line Of Sight) communications to small / mobile units, current military UHF satellite communication antennas are relatively large, bulky / clumsy and can be difficult to use in a covert situation. In addition, some antennas require setup and tear-down time for soldier transport. Thus, it is desirable to minimize the SWaP (Size, Weight and Power) of these antennas to the maximum extent possible, without any / minimal loss in antenna performance. Ideally, the performance of these antennas could be improved while their size is reduced. Emerging / advanced antenna technologies offer promise for size reduction and possible performance enhancements however, the actual benefits of the various technologies, as applied to the specific needs of soldiers, are undetermined at the current time. Thus, before the military invests in Yet Another Antenna Development Effort (YAADE), it is wise to first evaluate what is in the realm of the possible with respect to with to their specific antenna design space and requirements. Potential advanced / emerging antenna technologies include: High Impedance Materials, Meta-Materials, Magnetic Conductors / Materials, Negative Impedance Antennas, Non-Linear Antenna Systems and Compressive Receiver Type Antenna Systems.
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Spread Spectrum UHF Satcom Constellations
Working with our satellite partners, Outland Industries is currently helping to develop a UHF Spread-Spectrum, Doppler, Alternate Geolocation (PNT) satellite constellation. The constellation is expected to provide an all-weather, work-wide, Geolocation capability with resolution on the order of 100 meters. This alternate PNT information may be used either for standalone navigation or as a supplement for other navigational technologies. Initial testing of the UHF Spread-Spectrum SmallSat transmitters is planned as a secondary payload on various Small Satellite Demonstration Vehicles. A nearly full functional version of the system will be configured for less than 2U of volume by utilizing the capabilities of the satellite’s flight computer and the inclusion of three additional boards (1-precision timing, 1-low power RF, and 1-high power RF) and sharing of the SmallSat’s high gain antenna. The inclusion of these extra boards, and access to the high gain antenna allows for advanced testing of the Spread-Spectrum Doppler technology. The required RF spectrum usage is currently being analyzed to ensure that all spectrum usage is consistent with the US Navy (and related) requirements.
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Direct Modulation / Structurally Modulated Antennas
The art and science of small antenna design has been actively studied and published over the past 20+ years. Well established limits for antennas, constructed from materials with linear properties, have been published, tested and enhanced over the years with yet no promising concepts that approach or cross the established limits. Non-linear and direct modulation concepts have remained areas of research for some time, but true breakthroughs have not yet occurred. We have been experimenting with these Non-linear and direct modulation concepts using our advanced antenna optimization methodologies and currently believe that a structurally integrated - compressive receiver / modulated non-linear antenna hybrid is not only feasible to manufacture but more importantly, offers a way of moving past the well-established small antenna limits for conventional linear antenna designs.
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Magnetic Material Optimized Antennas
The limits of microstrip antenna miniaturization are reached as permittivity values approach low double digits at which point the antenna becomes too inefficient a radiator for practical use in an airborne communication system. However, additional reductions in microstrip antenna size can be gained through an increase in the permeability of the printed antenna substrate. When compared to traditional permittivity (only) increases, a combination of standard permittivity increases with novel permeability increases could result in comparable size reduction and better Radio Frequency (RF) performance. The permittivity of printed antenna substrates is often increased to decrease antenna size, sacrificing antenna efficiency and resulting in poorer RF performance and heat generation. Permeability can also be increased to reduce size while counterbalancing the effect of permittivity increases on the antenna characteristic impedance, resulting in a better performing, more efficient, and miniaturized antennas that operates over a wider bandwidth.
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Negative Impedance Antennas
Negative impedance antennas represent a challenging field of research, offering unique solutions to overcome the limitations of traditional / small antennas. By compensating for losses present in conventional antennas, negative impedance antennas offer enhanced performance, wider bandwidth, improved gain, and increased power transfer. However, negative impedance antennas rely on the integration of active elements to artificially create a negative input impedance. Unfortunately, as power levels increase, nonlinear effects can significantly impact their performance. Nonlinearity arises due to factors such as the inherent characteristics of active components, signal amplification, and modulation. These effects can lead to unwanted consequences, including intermodulation distortion, harmonic generation, and spectral regrowth. To mitigate these nonlinear effects, several strategies are employed. One approach involves careful selection and design of active components to minimize nonlinear characteristics. Techniques like predistortion and linearization circuits are employed to compensate for the nonlinear behavior and reduce distortion. Additionally, advanced signal processing algorithms, such as digital predistortion, can be used to mitigate nonlinear effects in real-time.
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