Engineering of a Dynamic Multi-Frequency Antenna

— Engineering a dynamic multi-frequency antenna provides the advantage of reducing overall antenna footprints and life cycle costs for supporting multiple Radio Frequency (RF) systems. Maintenance, logistics support and procurement costs associated with various antenna system manufacturers’ increase overall RF system life cycle costs. At the present time, multiple RF antennas developed by different manufacturers provide capabilities to shipboard platforms. Communication on shipboard platforms is necessary for line of sight and satellite communication operations. Antenna design software called Antenna Magus was used to analyze the capabilities of multi-frequency capable antennas. Parameters such as focal depth, dish diameter, dish to feed spacing, waveguide width, waveguide height, waveguide length, aperture width, aperture height, and flare length were automatically adjusted to support frequencies from 1 GHz to 300 GHz. A conceptual method for adjusting the dish diameter and dish to feed spacing was proposed to assist with providing a dynamic approach to a multi-frequency antenna. Additional design criteria would have to be considered to adhere to standards and manage risks during the early design stages of the system life cycle. Interfacing with legacy RF systems would be a technical challenge for interoperability. This paper presents engineering requirements and approach for reducing the amount of antennas manufactured by proprietary vendors by implementing an adjustable antenna to support SATCOM, and EHF capabilities.


INTRODUCTION
Since 1983, the number of antennas aboard surface ships has roughly doubled [1]. As technology advances, the warfighter is in need of various RF capabilities to stay ahead of adversaries. RF communications are critical to transmit and receive information for military operations. Space limitations constrain the amount of RF antennas on shipboard platforms.
Extensive engineering analysis had been performed and various prototypes for consolidated antennas were developed over the past 15 years. One of the first prototypes was the Advanced Multifunction RF (AMRF) Concept [2] and most recently was the EW/IO/Comm Advanced Development Model (ADM) [3].
Furthermore, extensive systems engineering analysis from HF to SHF has been performed on shipboard RF systems as well as proposed architectures for the development of a new prototype, LowRIDR [4].
Multiple manufacturers provide antennas with similar and unique capabilities. The procurement of these antenna systems are manufacturer dependent, and are within different stages of the system life cycle.
As systems become obsolete, replacements and parts for these antennas become scarce. Obtaining various antennas from manufacturers to provide certain capabilities incurs a high cost along with specific vendor support.
RF capabilities are separated amongst various antennas and an adjustable multi-frequency antenna to support a wide range of frequencies such as SHF and EHF would be beneficial. The need for consolidating RF antennas would reduce the number of system owners to a select few as well as the amount of space required. Maintaining multiple RF antennas involves various subject matter experts, stakeholders and personnel associated with the system's program of record. Collaborating amongst different stakeholders to troubleshoot RF system issues is common when maintaining continuity of RF communication capabilities. Coordinating with system owners to assist with troubleshooting efforts, testing, and managing risks is an ongoing effort.
The dynamic multi-frequency RF system would reduce the amount of manufacturer specific antennas. This system would include an adjustable dish, Communication Group, and assemblies that support SHF / EHF capabilities. The adjustable dish would be dynamic in nature with the ability to contract, expand, radiate, and receive. The feed horn assemblies would support SHF and EHF frequencies that span from 1GHz to 300 GHz. Satellite, voice, and data link Line of Sight (LOS) / Beyond LOS (BLOS) would be supported by the assembly / assemblies. The communication group would involve modern / legacy systems that would encrypt / decrypt and modulate / demodulate various forms of communication such as internet, messaging, and voice over Internet Protocol (IP). Figure 1 illustrates the architecture of the dynamic multi-frequency RF system that operates at various frequency ranges.

International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181 http://www.ijert.org II. ANTENNA ANALYSIS Antenna Magus is a software application used to simulate antenna performance to aid RF antenna design. This software assists with determining physical properties and radiation patterns to suggest the selection of particular types of antennas to meet specific needs. For multi-frequency capable antennas, comparisons were made to identify potential options for replacing currently fielded antennas with intent to consolidate capabilities. Antenna Magus has the capability to filter various types of antennas based on frequency, size, capability, and other performance parameters. Estimating the performance within this software allowed settings to be adjusted automatically for stable use. Antenna magus also depicted appropriate use of antennas for directional operational purposes.
Parabolic reflector antennas were considered for SATCOM and EHF communications use. The high level of gain that can be achieved by using a parabolic reflector is one of the main reasons they are used [5]. Utilizing Antenna Magus assisted with comparing various parabolic antennas. SATCOM antennas that were capable of supporting frequencies from 1GHz to 300GHz were analyzed which are included in Table 1. These antennas are capable of supporting frequencies 1GHz -40GHz (SATCOM), and 30GHz -300GHz (EHF). SATCOM and EHF frequencies would be used to support required capabilities using components supporting them respectively. Various properties of the Horn-fed Parabolic Reflector Antenna was analyzed to include Focal depth (F), Dish Diameter (D), Dish to feed spacing (S), Waveguide width (Wg), Waveguide height (Hg), Waveguide length (Lg), Aperture width (Wa), Aperture height (Ha), and Flare length (Lf). These properties revealed that physical adjustments would have to be made on the feed horn aperture and the dish to produce required performance values. Different views of the horn, reflector, and the dish are shown in Figure 2. Antenna [6] The SATCOM and EHF frequencies were set within the Antenna Magus software to observe results of the simulation. The physical parameters were automatically adjusted by the Antenna Magus software to meet the performance requirements. As the frequency increased, the physical parameters of the antenna were reduced. This assessment indicates the need for a dynamic antenna that can adjust its physical attributes in order to meet mission requirements as shown in Table 2. The Horn-fed Parabolic Reflector antenna was analyzed to simulate the radiation pattern. Estimating the performance for the Horn-fed Parabolic Reflector Antenna produced a radiation pattern within the Antenna Magus Software. This antenna is capable of SATCOM and EHF frequencies ranging from 1 GHz to 300 GHz.
Each performance simulation was completed to observe parameters relative to each set of frequency ranges (SATCOM and EHF). The focal depth, dish diameter, and dish to feed spacing were analyzed to meet the optimal conditions to meet the radiation pattern. A radiation pattern was observed when estimating the performance through the software. In this antenna, the parabolic reflector is fed by a pyramidal horn antenna, which in turn is fed using a waveguide port. In practice, the horn may be fed using a waveguide system, or alternatively, using a coaxial probe feed (waveguide-to-coaxial transition) [6]. As shown in Figure 3, the radiation pattern is depicted for SATCOM and EHF after performing the simulation. A dynamic antenna would be required to adjust focal depth, dish diameter, and dish to feed spacing. Slide rail actuators have the ability to reduce and increase length of this antenna. These actuators would adjust the size of the dish to the corresponding band of frequencies required. Another set of actuators would adjust the distance between the feed horn(s) to the dish to complement the capability required. Software on the communications group would control these parameters to complement the frequencies desired. Figure 4 depicts the dynamic concept where the dish size expands and contracts as well as the self-adjusting feed horn. Using an adjustable antenna dish can allow the operator to customize their antenna system setup based on mission requirements. The feed horn would have to be adjustable as well to support frequencies of 1 GHz to 300 GHz. The feed horn's waveguide width, waveguide height, waveguide length, aperture width, aperture height, and flare length would require flexible adjustments to meet performance parameters. The use of multiple feed horns is another alternative that would provide similar capabilities but with a limited range of supportable frequencies.
III. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS Standards would be followed to assist with designing the dynamic multi-frequency antenna.
Standards categories include RF transfer, information assurance, RF testing, emissions, safety, and disturbance. The goals for each of the standards have been identified in order to facilitate requirement development. This standards profile is shown in Table 4. Determining RF functions that operate concurrently with each other without interference would be ideal for multifunctional operational scenarios. Interference problems between adjacent antennas increase the likelihood of dropped communication links. Simulated RF interference testing would be conducted during transmitting / receiving scenarios to identify any RF signal degradation. While the antenna is transmitting and receiving on a particular frequency, various frequency ranges would be used for interference testing to identify any issues. Constraints would be identified with respect to having multiple RF transmissions being radiated simultaneously.
IV. TECHNICAL CHALLENGES Technical challenges would involve different areas of constraints to include size, weight, and power limitations. Interfacing with legacy systems would also have to be considered to perform operations with shipboard platforms. Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) would be a technical challenge that would have to be determined in order to allow functionality amongst neighboring communications systems.
Interfacing with current and legacy systems connected to shipboard antennas may inhibit challenges outside of simple interface adapters. Physical interfaces should be considered to connect to legacy systems. Interoperability between current and legacy systems is necessary to incorporate a dynamic multi-frequency antenna within an existing communication system domain. Physical and functional integration testing is also necessary in order to verify full interoperability. Access to interfacing systems may be a challenge due to not being able to control the scheduling of resource availability for collaboration between legacy RF system owners.
The placement of these antennas on a shipboard platform would need to be considered to identify blockage zones along with platform strength. Modal testing of the antenna mounting area of the shipboard platform to obtain strength values would establish a baseline design. Failure to acknowledge the strength of the shipboard platform would pose a risk resulting in engineering an antenna that exceeds the limitations of the platform strength. Adapter plates would also be considered for shipboard platforms that need to be retrofitted due to constrained mounting locations.
Shipboard antennas encounter harsh conditions that would potentially affect operation ranging from the surrounding area to non-visible EMI. Environmental conditions such as extreme hot / cold temperatures, moisture, wind speed, sun exposure, wave vibration, and salt water would affect the newly designed antenna if not properly considered. Anti-corrosive and durable components would be incorporated to ensure longevity of the system. The designed antenna would go through vibration, environmental, and EMI testing. Mounting a newly designed antenna to a large motion table for testing, would simulate the pitch and roll movement of a shipboard platform.
V. CONCLUSION Developing the dynamic multi-frequency RF antenna would reduce the amount of antennas required by different manufacturers on shipboard platforms. The dynamic multifrequency RF antenna architecture includes an adjustable dish with assemblies connecting to a communications group to transmit and receive information. Design considerations such as standards would be adhered to for RF transfer, information Utilizing the antenna design software Antenna Magus identified various parabolic antennas capable of supporting frequencies 1 GHz to 300 GHz. Adjusting the dish size and feed horn aperture allowed for SATCOM and EHF frequencies to be supported. The dish diameter and feed to dish configuration would be capable of contracting / expanding. A feed horn with similar features of contracting / expanding to provide multi-frequency capabilities or the use of multiple feed horns to support frequencies within the 1 GHz to 300 GHz range would provide a single antenna solution from a single manufacturer.