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Electromagnetic Apertures & Radiolocation

SwRI provides custom antenna design, antenna testing, hemispherical vector sensing DF and geolocation, DF arrays, and radiolocation solutions through our capabilities in electromagnetics and spatial processing algorithms.

Technical Strengths

  • Custom antenna designs for communications, intercept, direction finding and beam-formed arrays
  • Computational eletromagnetics modeling for predicting installed performance of these antennas and DF arrays
  • Antenna testing in anechoic chambers and outdoor far field ranges
  • Antenna and RF design experience spanning from very low frequency (VLF) through the VHF/UHF and microwave bands and into the millimeter wave spectrum, from 3 kHz to 60 GHz and beyond
  • DF algorithm implementation and analysis, including N-channel algorithms and array calibrations, for airborne, shipboard and terrestrial applications
  • Time difference of arrival (TDOA) and Frequency difference of arrival (FDOA) algorithms and systems
  • Hemispherical vector sensing DF and geolocation from a single terrestrial site (single site locator, or SSL) or airborne platform
  • Geolocation algorithms for processing direction of arrival (DoA) and TDOA/FDOA measurements, including the combination of heterogeneous sensor types

The Electromagnetic Apertures and Radiolocation Section has a number of "off the shelf" antennas, DF arrays and radiolocation algorithms available for integration into government or other open architecture systems, but leverages a wealth of experience and internal R&D work to provide custom solutions to challenging problems such as:

  • Conformal or concealed antenna/array installations
  • Small antenna/array footprints
  • Using unique waveform features to isolate signals with spatial processing
  • Designing multi-purpose antennas
  • Anti-jam arrays and algorithms
  • Phased arrays and low-cost phased array alternatives
  • Airship arrays and inflatable antennas