Antenna Synthesis Through Characteristic Modal Analysis for Small Unmanned Aerial System Applications

Abstract

Historically, antennas for airborne applications have been a separate class unto themselves. They have unique requirements for conformality, structural integrity, and long-range communication. Furthermore, the must successfully meet these criteria in a metallic environment. The antennas designed for Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS) have more stringent requirements than their predecessors due to the inherent Size Weight and Power (SWaP) restrictions and the increased importance of consistent communication for remote operation. Previous work has proven the utility of conformal antennas with a quasi-isotropic radiation pattern in the enhancement of SUAS communication for non-metallic structures. These structures however are not suited for performance on a metallic SUAS or in a metallic environment. For metallic SUAS, a new antenna will be devised using the Method of Moments (MoM). The following antenna synthesis procedure optimizes performance by taking into account the modality of the deformed ground structure the antenna is placed upon. The performance of this antenna will be assessed.