New Fields of investigation

HRL HAS DEVELOPED A RANGE of innovative antenna technologies and capabilities to solve the system and integration problems of our LLC Members and external customers. In addition to our Antenna team’s unique knowledge of electromagnetic theory, our close interaction with the Computational Physics, Photonics and RF Analog groups at HRL allows us to tackle a wide variety of problems and offer unique solutions.

HRL is a technology leader in conformal antennas based on artificial impedance surfaces.With this technology, HRL has demonstrated truly conformal antennas that take advantage of the controlled scattering properties of modulated surface impedances. Our approach to realizing modulated surface impedances can be applied to system applications where the radiator must be completely hidden or integrated into surfaces that provide lift or structural strength. We use our proprietary FastScat™ full-wave electromagnetic simulation software to design and analyze these conformal antennas. This distinguishes HRL from others working in the area by allowing us to quickly and accurately solve electrically large problems with high precision. It again illustrates how the close interaction between our diverse groups of technologists results in novel solutions to difficult problems. We are also working on a new approach to electrically steerable antennas based on the modulated artificial surface impedance technique, and we have had recent breakthroughs in the area of tensor artificial impedance surfaces that have the potential for complete polarization control in conformal antennas.

SOLVING UNRESOLVED ISSUES

Other technologies under development at HRL include frequency-tunable antennas, wearable antennas, and active impedance matching of electrically small antennas. Each of these addresses problems that presently do not have acceptable solutions to meet the wireless communication and radar system needs of our LLC Members and external customers. The electrically tunable antenna is targeted at wireless communications systems that require frequency agility for increased performance or environmental adaptability. Our wearable “leaky cable” antenna is an enabling technology for the networked worker where continuous information availability to and from the individual is important in all environments and positions. Our approach to active impedance matching can circumvent the perceived limits on antenna size versus bandwidth, and opens the potential for applications such as extremely small radio frequency (RF) tags and highly capable miniature platforms.

In addition, HRL’s Antenna team has developed the capabilities to efficiently and effectively determine radiation patterns of antennas located on complex, electrically large platforms. Our work in this area has helped our LLC Members to reduce the time, cost, and risk of integrating antennas into the products they sell.

developing technologies