Conformal, Lightweight, Aerogel-Based Antenna

About this technology

Overview

Innovators at the NASA Glenn Research Center have developed the Conformal, Lightweight Antenna for Aeronautical Communications Technology (CLAS-ACT), an active phased array antenna for Ku-band satellite communications on a mobile platform such as a UAV. The CLAS-ACT was developed for UAVs that require operations outside of radio line of sight which use a satellite link to increase operational coverage for command and control. The satellites typically used for this application fly a geostationary orbit at a very high altitude. The current state of practice for UAVs travelling out of line of sight is to use a large parabolic dish antenna that is pointed with a mechanical gimbal; this requires a significant volume within the UAV, adds unnecessary weight, and demands a large amount power. NASA's CLAS-ACT antenna improves upon current practice by offering a lightweight, small-sized antenna that can be mounted on the curved frame of an aircraft and has advanced beam steering/beam synthesis capabilities, enabling the efficient command and control of small or large UAVs used for a variety of purposes.