Browse Topic: Antennas

Items (375)

In this paper, we propose a vehicle antenna system on a conductive heat reflecting window. A slot antenna in a heatable vehicle glazing established between the heating bus bar, bus bar extension and the peripheral edge of an electrically conductive IR reflective coating. The antenna slot may be fed directly by a voltage source, a current source, or a coupled coplanar line at a position to excite both fundamental and higher order modes for multiband antenna applications. The slot antenna can be also established between split heating bus bars or heating bus bar extension to reduces heat loss and improve antenna efficiency. Multiple antennas can be integrated into the heatable glazing for multiband applications and/or diversity antenna systems. Results from simulation on the vehicle are compared with measurements.

Dai, David

Electromagnetic Interference Measurement Antennas; Calibration Method

ARP958E (Current)

09/01/2021

This SAE Aerospace Recommended Practice outlines a standardized and economical method for the checkout and calibration of electromagnetic interference measurement antennas. Its application is for use when measuring a source 1 m from the antenna in a shield room. This is the typical distance used in performing military EMC testing. The influence of the shield room on the measured field strength is not considered. This standard does not address the measurement of emissions from an unknown distributed source, yet it attempts to resemble reality by using another antenna, in the calibration method, that represents a distributed source. This document presents a technique to determine antenna factors for antennas used primarily in performing measurements in accordance with References 2.1 and 2.2. The purpose of Revision B was to include the calibration of other antennas, such as biconical, horn, monopole and small loop antennas that are also specified for use in these same references

AE-4 Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Committee

Electromagnetic Interference Measurement Antennas; Calibration Method

ARP958E-TEST-REC (Historical)09/01/2021

AE-4 Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Committee

Atom-Based Radio Communications

TBMG-3979709/01/2021

Researchers demonstrated an atom-based sensor that can determine the direction of an incoming radio signal, another key part for a potential atomic communications system that could be smaller and work better in noisy environments than conventional technology.

Quantum Sensor Enables Wide Spectral Coverage

TBMG-3763809/01/2020

A quantum sensor was developed that could detect communication signals over the entire radio frequency spectrum from 0 to 100 GHz. Such wide spectral coverage by a single antenna is impossible with a traditional receiver system and would require multiple systems of individual antennas, amplifiers, and other components.

Electronically Controlled 2D Reflector Improves Microwave Communications

TBMG-3764509/01/2020

Researchers are reinventing the mirror, at least for microwaves, potentially replacing the familiar 3D dishes and microwave horns seen on rooftops and cell towers with flat panels that are compact, versatile, and better adapted for modern communication technologies. The new reflectors offer lightweight, low-profile alternatives to conventional antennas. The panels could be easily incorporated onto surfaces of buildings or terrestrial vehicles.

Electric Nanoscale Device Sees Through Walls

TBMG-3684105/01/2020

Researchers have developed a nanodevice that operates more than 10 times faster than today’s fastest transistors and about 100 times faster than the transistors on most computers. The device generates high-power terahertz waves, which are notoriously difficult to produce and are useful in a variety of applications ranging from imaging and sensing to high-speed wireless communications.

Sandia’s Nanoantennas Help Detectors See More Heat, Less Noise

TBMG-3576101/01/2020

A team of researchers at Sandia National Laboratories has developed a nanoantenna-enabled detector that can boost the usable signal of a thermal infrared camera by up to three times and improve image quality by reducing dark current, a major component of image noise, by 10 to 100 times.

Virtually Optimizing Metasurface Topology with a Genetic Algorithm

TBMG-3576401/01/2020

Often in engineering, we look to the natural world to find inspiration for new ways to approach our design problems. Whether we are taking inspiration from fluid flow around wings to inform a system for cooling devices, studying slug slime to invent better medical adhesives, or designing the nose of a bullet train to resemble the beak of a bird, nature holds the key to even the most elusive design solutions.

Method Produces Three-Dimensional, Curved Electronics

TBMG-3545111/01/2019

Contact lenses that can monitor the wearer’s health and correct eyesight use embedded electronics. These, and other curved devices such as solar cells and electronics, could be manufactured using a new method called conformal additive stamp (CAS) printing.

Structure Deformation Calculation Program for Structural Shape Monitoring

TBMG-3528910/01/2019

Researchers at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center are pioneering shape-sensing technologies that seek to maximize structural integrity and efficiency. A new and versatile computer program offers critical shape-monitoring capabilities and has applications for a wide variety of structures.

Multi- and Wide-Band Single-Feed Patch Antenna

TBMG-3513009/01/2019

A novel patch antenna technology was developed that provides significant benefits to NASA satellite communication applications, offering a unique wide-band/multi-band operating capability. For other non-space applications, the antenna design also offers broadband capability with high gain for applications where signal strength and smaller antenna sizes are important. The technology was developed to design antennas for satellites where the target communication frequency is unknown or unassigned.

Antenna Near-Field Probe Station Scanner

TBMG-3513409/01/2019

Antenna characterization techniques are often expensive and time-consuming. NASA’s Glenn Research Center developed a highly versatile and automated system to perform characterization of single or multiple small circuit antennas, printed on-wafer or on other substrates, by measuring the antenna’s near-field radiated power.

Shape-Shifting Origami Could Help Antenna Systems Adapt On-the-Fly

TBMG-3510709/01/2019

Conventional reconfigurable electrical and radio frequency (RF) structures commonly used in applications involving real-time reconfigurability in response to fast varying operational scenarios require specialized substrates or complex electrical circuits. Origami-based RF reconfigurable components and modules offer a solution with unique properties. First, they enable re-configurability over continuous-state ranges (as opposed to discrete states). Second, they do not require specialized mechanical support for multilayer frequency-selective surface structures. Moreover, deployable origami-based RF structures can achieve large surface re-configurability ratios from folded to unfolded states. Finally, these structures allow for independent control of multiple figures of merit: bandwidth, frequency of operation, and angle of incidence.

Products of Tomorrow: July 2019

TBMG-3475707/01/2019

This column presents technologies that have applications in commercial areas, possibly creating the products of tomorrow. To learn more about each technology, see the contact information provided for that innovation.

Multi-Agent RF Propagation Simulator

TBMG-3453106/01/2019

A desirable interface between multi-agents is through over-the-air RF connections that include not only the intended direct RF communications paths but also highly variable multi-ray propagation, range attenuation, external RF influences, and near-earth influence. These influences are all difficult to predict, control, and repeat in an outdoor environment. This outdoor testing, as has traditionally been done, is extremely expensive while simultaneously providing fewer data points than more controlled events and the testing events are generally not repeatable.

5 Ws of Spray-On Antennas

TBMG-3340112/01/2018

Manufacturers and users of wearables, functional fabrics, mobile devices, wireless routers, and Internet of Things devices.

2018 Create the Future Design Contest: Electronics/Sensors/IOT Category Winner

TBMG-3331311/01/2018

Tech Briefs: September 2018

18AERP0909/01/2018

Enhanced SATCOMs for Unmanned Aerial Systems The Bus Too Tough to Die Combating Infrared Threats on the Battlefield Optical Interconnect Design Challenges in Space High-Performance Computing for the Next-Generation Combat Vehicle Merging Antenna and Electronics Boosts Energy and Spectrum Efficiency Integrated Magneto-Optical Devices for On-Chip Photonic Systems Development of magneto-optical (MO) materials could lead to a range of nonreciprocal optical devices for emerging standardized photonic integrated circuit (PIC) fabrication processes. Low Power Optical Phase Array Using Graphene on Silicon Photonics Electrostatic doping of 2D materials embedded in waveguides could enable ultrafast devices with unprecedented power. Spatial Resolution and Contrast of a Focused Diffractive Plenoptic Camera New technology captures spectral and spatial information of a scene in one snapshot while raising pixel counts and improving image quality. Ultracompact, High-Speed Field-Effect Optical

Merging Antenna and Electronics Boosts Energy and Spectrum Efficiency

TBMG-3291009/01/2018

Merging Antenna and Electronics Boosts Energy and Spectrum Efficiency

18AERP09_0609/01/2018

By integrating the design of antennas and electronics, researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology have boosted the energy and spectrum efficiency for a new class of millimeter-wave transmitters, allowing improved modulation and reduced generation of waste heat. The new co-design technique - achieved through research sponsored by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and Intel Corp. - allows simultaneous optimization of the millimeter-wave antennas and electronics. The hybrid devices use conventional materials and integrated circuit (IC) technology, meaning no changes would be required to manufacture and package them. The co-design scheme allows fabrication of multiple transmitters and receivers on the same IC chip or the same package, potentially enabling multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) systems as well as boosting data rates and link diversity.

Toon, John

Remote Detection of Electronic Devices

TBMG-2855903/01/2018

Non-Linear Junction Detection is a well-known technique for detecting electronics that utilize semiconductor (solid-state) junctions. The current state of the art for finding hidden electronics — such as electronic eavesdropping devices — using this technology has a maximum range of about 2 m, and more typically between 6 and 12”.

Printable Structures Self-Fold Without Heating or Immersion in Water

TBMG-2815801/01/2018

As 3D printing has become a mainstream technology, studies have investigated printable structures that will fold themselves into useful three-dimensional shapes when heated or immersed in water. A new printable structure, however, was developed that begins to fold itself up as soon as it is peeled off the printing platform.

3D-Printed Objects Connect to WiFi Without Electronics

TBMG-2816501/01/2018

CAD models have been developed that enable objects to be 3D-printed out of commercially available plastics; these objects can wirelessly communicate with other smart devices, including a battery-free slider that controls music volume, a button that automatically places an order with Amazon, or a water sensor that sends an alarm to a smartphone when it detects a leak.

Wideband Retroreflector

TBMG-2722407/01/2017

There are many known methods of retransmitting radio wave signals intra-building and inter-building, as well as ground-to-aircraft or ground-to-satellite. Some techniques modulate the reflection coefficient of an antenna. Prior art has used frequency multiplication or field effect transistor (FET) mixing to modulate the reflection coefficient of an antenna, and therefore the reflected amount of incident power to perform this function. This method is limited by its instantaneous bandwidth to about 50 MHz and its overall efficiency, in addition to the tendency to produce large amounts of harmonics. Other techniques include optical retroreflectors and RFID transponders. Optical retroreflectors reflect the illuminating energy; RFID transponders use a fixed RF frequency with resonant circuits.

Digital Beamforming Interferometry

TBMG-2702406/01/2017

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center has developed a new radar approach that uses a single phased array antenna and a single-pass configuration to generate interferograms, known as Digital Beamforming Interferometry. A digital beamforming radar system allows the implementation of nonconventional radar techniques, known as Digital Beamforming Synthetic Aperture Radar Multimode Operation (DBSAR).

Negative Dielectric Constant Material Based on Ion Conducting Materials

TBMG-2665604/01/2017

NASA Langley Research Center has developed a novel negative dielectric constant material based on ion-conducting materials. A negative dielectric constant material is an essential key for creating metamaterials, or artificial negative index materials (NIMs). NIMs have generated great attention due to their unique and exotic electromagnetic properties, and could be used for unique optical and microwave applications, including new methods of electromagnetic cloaking and extremely lowloss communications.

Prediction Method for Automobile EMI Test Result in AM Frequency Band *CSP Meta QA Testing*

2017-01-001403/28/2017

The EMI, electromagnetic interference, is tested for automobiles and components by the method defined in the international standard, CISPR 25. Regarding the automobile test, the EMI from the component installed in the automobile is measured by the antenna of an automobile. On the other hand on the component test, the EMI from the component is measured by a mono-pole antenna set forward of the component. However, components sometimes fail the automobile test even if its passed the component test due to the difference of the method. In this case, the component has to be designed again to pass the automobile test. Therefore, the prediction method of the automobile test result is required. In this paper, we tried to modify the standard component test configuration to predict the automobile test result for a fuel pump system in AM frequency band. At first, to show the noise propagation mechanism of the automobile test, the mechanism was modeled by an electrical circuit by focusing on the

Nomura, Takashi, Kawai, Kazuma

Architecture for an Intermediate-Frequency Digital Downconversion and Data Distribution Network

TBMG-2454405/01/2016

NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN) is looking to modernize aging downlink receivers for telemetry, tracking, and radio science. It is looking to replace multiple types of custom-built, special-purpose receivers with a unified receiver architecture that can support the various downlink data types. As part of this modernization, it is desired to only digitize the data once and then distribute the data using commercial switching network technology to multiple back-end receiver processing hardware and software. The main problem to be solved is how to distribute efficiently and flexibly high-bandwidth intermediate-frequency (100 to 600 MHz) digitized signals across a signal processing center for use in the DSN.

Engineers Embroider Wearable Antennas

TBMG-2450204/17/2016

Researchers at The Ohio State University have embroidered circuits into fabric with 0.1 mm precision -- an ideal size for integrating sensors and electronic components into clothing. The achievement supports the development of new wearable technology, including a bandage that monitors tissue or a flexible fabric cap that senses brain activity.

Fabrication of an Integrated Photonic Waveguide Joint in Micromachined Silicon

TBMG-2425504/01/2016

High-aspect-ratio silicon structures are necessary components in many MEMS (microelectromechanical systems). Aspect ratio is defined as the ratio of the height of the structure to its lateral width. The structures are typically fabricated through bulk micromachining steps such as deep reactive ion etching. In some cases, multiple levels of high-aspect-ratio structures are required. For instance, one may want to etch completely through a silicon wafer to thermally isolate a bolometer or provide waveguide coupling to an antenna defined on an insulating membrane, and at the same time have integrated high-topology structures required for microwave coupling or filtering. Definition of the structures typically uses photolithographic technology. But for high-aspect-ratio structures, spin cast resist becomes difficult to incorporate due to the non-uniform thickness of the resist around tall structures. One can cast very thick layers of photoresist, but this limits the minimum feature size, and

Development of Tool for Evaluation of Automotive Conformity of FM Receivers Using Two-Stage Method

2015-01-022504/14/2015

The suitability of FM radio receivers for automotive applications has conventionally been evaluated by evaluating the reception characteristics of broadcast waves while conducting repeated driving tests in a special test environment. Because the evaluation of sound quality while driving relies upon the auditory judgment of a limited range of test subjects, these tests present issues in terms of the reproducibility and objectivity of the evaluations. In order to resolve these issues, a method of evaluating the suitability of FM receivers for automotive applications through the creation of a virtual radio wave environment on a PC was developed (this has been termed the “Two-Stage method”). In the research described in this paper, the Two-Stage method was used to analyze the effect of multipath distortion on FM receivers when driving through arbitrary radio wave propagation environments. In order to quantify the effect of multipath distortion, the multipath distortion rate was defined as

Komatsu, Satoru, Imai, Suguru, Taguchi, Kenji, Kashiwa, Tatsuya

E-Textile Interconnect

TBMG-21630

03/01/2015

E-textiles have shown great promise within the microwave and antenna community to provide a low-mass, highly conformal option that integrates extremely well with fabric-based microwave devices and antenna platforms, but often not as well with more conventional devices.

E-Textile Antenna Tuning Stitches

TBMG-21264

01/01/2015

A variety of antenna tuning techniques exist for conventionally constructed antenna structures, such that when an antenna is converted from a design to an actual fabricated structure, slight adjustments can be made to the fabricated structure to match the performance expected from the design. For microstrip antenna structures, for example, shorting pins may be added to adjust the resonant frequency of the structure, or the conducting top layer of the antenna may be intentionally constructed in a fashion such that portions of it may be removed in post-production tuning.

Small, Sensitive Antennas

TBMG-21187

12/01/2014

Researchers create metamaterials by carefully designing and fabricating novel structures to exhibit patterns of electromagnetic properties—specifically, dielectric permittivity and/or magnetic permeability—at the micro-or nano-scale. This special spatial arrangement of elements ensures that the volumetric arrays interact with electromagnetic fields in desirable ways.

Treating Tumors with Antennas

TBMG-2103311/13/2014

Researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison are working to commercialize a new technology that could yield less invasive radiation therapies for cancer patients using ablation.

Connecting the World with Tiny Radios

TBMG-20917

11/01/2014

A Stanford University, Stanford, CA, engineering team has built a radio the size of an ant that requires no batteries. The device gathers all the power it needs from the same electromagnetic waves that carry signals to its receiving antenna. Designed to compute, execute, and relay commands, the tiny wireless chip costs pennies to manufacture.

A High-Cross-Polarization-Isolation, Multi-Frequency Antenna for Cloud and Precipitation Research

TBMG-20727

10/01/2014

The Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) has an immediate need for a matched-beam Ku-band/Ka-band antenna system that can be used as a component of a ground validation radar. Retrieval techniques based on both polarization and differential absorption at the two wavelengths can be used to provide additional insight into precipitation type and particle size distribution over a 10- to 40-km spatial domain. These measurements can then be compared with long range radar, such as the WSR-88D, and in situ sensors to provide a comprehensive dataset for evaluating and improving satellite-based precipitation estimates.

Time-Multiplexed Pipelined FFT Implementation

TBMG-20556

09/01/2014

A fast Fourier transform (FFT) was developed as part of the Soil-Moisture Active/Passive (SMAP) project. The FFT was created on 16-bit data arriving at a rate of 48 MHz to run on a resource-constrained, space-grade field programmable gate array (FPGA).

Optimizing DSP Techniques for Antenna Site Software Radio

TBMG-2034408/01/2014

With the emergence of monolithic A/D converters capable of sampling rates of 5 GHz and higher, engineers can now directly digitize analog RF signals covering a frequency span of more than 2 GHz. This allows the capture of wideband communications and radar signals in a single data stream, eliminating the complexity of splitting a given band into parallel adjacent sub-bands, and the inevitability of input signals straddling them. While these new converters appear to simplify software radio architectures, they also impose many limitations and tradeoffs.

Stretchable Antenna for Wearable Monitoring

TBMG-1987106/01/2014

Researchers at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, say they have developed a new, stretchable antenna that can be incorporated into wearable health monitoring devices. The team focused on developing an antenna that could be stretched, rolled, or twisted, and easily return to its original shape.

Ultra-Wideband, Dual-Polarized, Beam- Steering P-Band Array Antenna

TBMG-18884

01/01/2014

A dual-polarized, wide-bandwidth (200 MHz for one polarization, 100 MHz for the orthogonal polarization) antenna array at P-band was designed to be driven by NASA’s EcoSAR digital beam former. EcoSAR requires two wide P-band antenna arrays mounted on the wings of an aircraft, each capable of steering its main beam up to 35° off-boresight, allowing the twin radar beams to be steered at angles to the flight path. The science requirements are mainly for dual-polarization capability and a wide bandwidth of operation of up to 200 MHz if possible, but at least 100 MHz with high polarization port isolation and low cross-polarization. The novel design geometry can be scaled with minor modifications up to about four times higher or down to about half the current design frequencies for any application requiring a dual-polarized, wide-bandwidth steerable antenna array.