Evolutionary Design of a Phased Array Antenna ElementWe present an evolved S-band phased array antenna element design that meets the requirements of NASA's TDRS-C communications satellite scheduled for launch early next decade. The original specification called for two types of elements, one for receive only and one for transmit/receive. We were able to evolve a single element design that meets both specifications thereby simplifying the antenna and reducing testing and integration costs. The highest performance antenna found using a genetic algorithm and stochastic hill-climbing has been fabricated and tested. Laboratory results are largely consistent with simulation. Researchers have been investigating evolutionary antenna design and optimization since the early 1990s, and the field has grown in recent years its computer speed has increased and electromagnetic simulators have improved. Many antenna types have been investigated, including wire antennas, antenna arrays and quadrifilar helical antennas. In particular, our laboratory evolved a wire antenna design for NASA's Space Technology 5 (ST5) spacecraft. This antenna has been fabricated, tested, and is scheduled for launch on the three spacecraft in 2006.
Document ID
20060015686
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Globus, Al (California Univ. Santa Cruz, CA, United States)
Linden, Derek (JEM Engineering, LLC Laurel, MD, United States)
Lohn, Jason (Google, Inc. United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2006
Subject Category
Cybernetics, Artificial Intelligence And Robotics
Meeting Information
Meeting: IEEE AP-S International Symposium USNC/USRI National Radio Science Meeting AMEREM Meeting