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Dual-band low-profile antennas for intra-flight communication and data links

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: FA8750-13-C-0227
Agency Tracking Number: F131-044-0478
Amount: $149,946.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: AF131-044
Solicitation Number: 2013.1
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2013
Award Year: 2013
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2013-07-16
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2014-04-15
Small Business Information
5340 Airport Blvd.
Boulder, CO -
United States
DUNS: 125961123
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: Yes
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Anthony Jensen
 Senior RF Engineer
 (303) 442-5911
 ajensen@firstrf.com
Business Contact
 Jeanne Hill-Jurik
Title: Contracts Manager
Phone: (303) 442-5911
Email: jhill-jurik@firstrf.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

ABSTRACT: High speed communication channels and tactical data links are becoming increasingly important for both military and commercial applications. The need for high speed inter-flight communication and data transfer is validated by the existence of the Intra-Flight Data Link (IFDL) for the F-22 and the Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) for the F-35. Unfortunately, the frequencies of operation and antenna systems for these two are unique, and thus not interoperable. This is a problem for not only legacy, but for next generation aircraft, as well. FIRST RF proposes a single low-profile, dual-frequency antenna system capable of operation with both IFDL and MADL systems. The FIRST RF solution is significantly advantageous in that it breaks from traditional, timeworn technology approaches in order to offer a lower cost, modular, simply scalable solution that also enables equivalent operation with fewer apertures around the platform; all while maintaining conformance to the platform OML, LPI and LPD functions. This system is compatible with both legacy aircraft IFDL and MADL communications and will be valid for next generation aircraft offering inter-flight communication between any mixed aircraft fleet. BENEFIT: The greatest benefit to the Air Force will be the enabling of inter-aircraft communication and data transfer between any mixed aircraft fleet. The FIRST RF technology and developmental plan offers a lower cost, modular approach that enables a much quicker design cycle. This results in hardware that may be validated on-platform sooner and at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods. The technology approach with this design will also allow for simple scalability to various platform requirements (i.e. gain, beamwidth, G/T, EIRP, SWAP). FIRST RF has identified additional commercial and military applications for this technology enabling GB/s data rates for extended range communications.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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