Embedded HF Antennas in Aerostructures for Drag Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional HF NVIS communication systems are unsuitable for mobile platforms like attack helicopters due to excessive drag and size constraints, requiring high power and large antennas that are not feasible in limited real estate.

Innovation Solution

Integration of HF antennas, either as mesh screens or characteristic mode transducers, into the mobile platform skin, which also includes a lightning strike protection layer to minimize drag and enable beyond-line-of-sight communication without the need for traditional antennas and high power amplifiers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional HF NVIS antennas are used on mobile platforms, then beyond-line-of-sight communication capability is achieved, but drag and antenna size increase excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeyond-line-of-sight communication capabilityVSAvoidantenna size and drag

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna is merged with the aircraft skin itself. The aircraft skin is designed to function as both a structural component and an antenna element, eliminating the need for separate traditional antennas. This integration allows the aircraft skin to serve dual purposes: providing structural integrity and enabling HF NVIS communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The aircraft skin is given multiple functions: it serves as both the structural exterior of the aircraft and as the antenna for HF NVIS communication. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated antenna structures, reducing drag and weight while maintaining communication capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Power

If high power amplifiers and High-Q impedance matching couplers are used, then communication power is sufficient, but system weight and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication output powerVSAvoidamplifier and coupler weight

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna structure is designed to be self-resonant, meaning it naturally provides the necessary impedance matching and resonance characteristics without requiring external High-Q couplers or complex matching networks. The aircraft skin itself serves as the resonant structure, eliminating the need for separate impedance matching components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The complex High-Q impedance matching couplers and associated heavy components are extracted from the system. By designing the antenna to be self-resonant, the patent removes the need for these heavy matching networks, significantly reducing system weight and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If antenna elements are added to the mobile platform, then communication functionality is provided, but the number of components and real estate requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication functionalityVSAvoidantenna count and real estate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple antenna functions are merged into the aircraft skin. Rather than adding separate antenna elements, the skin itself is designed to provide the necessary radiating surfaces and resonant structures, reducing component count while maintaining communication versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution allows for efficient beyond-line-of-sight communication on mobile platforms by reducing drag and antenna count, while maintaining effective NVIS performance and lightning protection, making it suitable for contested environments.

Implementation Method 1

the HF antennas may comprise characteristic mode transducers to excite metallic features on the mobile platform skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCharacteristic mode resonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

The HF antenna may comprise one or more mesh screens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

the mobile platform skin includes a lightning strike protection layer that is disposed within the mobile platform skin around in internal surface of the antenna

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLightning strike protection: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11258167B1Embedded antennas in aerostructures and electrically short conformal antennas

Publication Date: 2022.02.22 ROCKWELL COLLINS INC

AI summary

A mobile platform communication system includes one or more HF antennas disposed in the surface of the mobile platform. The HF antenna may comprise one or more mesh screens. Alternatively, or in addition, the HF antennas may comprise characteristic mode transducers to excite metallic features on the mobile platform skin. The mobile platform skin includes a lightning strike protection layer that is disposed within the mobile platform skin around in internal surface of the antenna such that the antenna does not distend the mobile platform skin and increase drag.