Polarization
Our team at AOE has a great deal of expertise in the processes of designing and fabricating circularly polarized, dual circularly polarized, and dual linear polarized antennas that exhibit very pure polarization performance. This is most evident in our wide scanning phased array radiating element designs where circular polarization axial ratios – usually under 2 dB – are maintained throughout a large 70 degree off broadside scan angle.
Maintaining this level of polarization performance is very challenging because of the different scan environments seen by the electric (E) and magnetic (H) plane polarizations. Though it may be a difficult process, at AOE, we’ve consistently demonstrated these high levels of performance along with several innovative radiating element configurations.
Tunable
We have designed and demonstrated antenna designs that achieve wideband performance through either various active or passive components or switching circuits using MEMS-based switch technology. Examples of our designs include a broadband notch radiator array that demonstrated measured performance from 0.5 – 18 GHz and miniaturized tunable loop antennas that operate over more than an octave of bandwidth while maintaining a better than 2:1 VoltageStanding Wave Ratio (VSWR).
Low Radar Cross-Section
The design heritage of AOE stems from the development of low Radar Cross Section (RCS) antenna apertures. The effectiveness and importance of low observable technologies has been well demonstrated on the modern battlefield. The United States has become the world leader in the development of low-observable aircraft. Some examples include the F-117, F-22 Raptor, and the F-35 Lightning II.
The precise control of the electromagnetic scattering associated with low observable vehicular design is a challenge in and of itself, but the challenge is greatly compounded by the introduction of required warfare systems that also need to be included in these combat aircraft. Just one careless introduction of a relatively small radiating aperture can disrupt the radar signature of the low observable host vehicle.
The design and integration of low-observable antenna technologies into low observable platforms is a highly valued national asset. Our team members at AOE have spent much of their technical careers developing wideband, low observable phased-array technologies, and integration and modeling methodologies.
Electrically Small
Electrically small antennas are inherently band limited, but AOE has successfully developed many designs that achieve remarkable bandwidth in an electrically small configuration while exhibiting a stable operating frequency and good pattern performance.
Wideband
Our team of engineers has extensive expertise developing innovative antennas for use over diverse frequency bands. Of particular note is our Vivaldi/Notch antenna technology, as well as our biconical antenna technology. Using innovative approaches, we’ve been able to offer clients a broad range of custom bandwidth and gain designs to meet each specific application.
For applications with bandwidths less than 50%, we have considerable expertise in the custom development of varying waveguide, cavity, and patch radiator technologies. We’ve worked on and developed these technologies for different low-profile applications with diverse gain, bandwidth and polarization performance requirements.
