Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering (한국정보통신학회논문지)

The Korea Institute of Information and Commucation Engineering (한국정보통신학회)
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Data-link antenna for mounting low-RCS Unmanned Aerial Vehicles(UAV)

저피탐 무인기 탑재를 위한 데이터링크용 안테나에 관한 연구

  • Park, Jin-Woo (Communication-CW Team, Hanwha Systems) ;
  • Jung, Eun-Tae (Communication-CW Team, Hanwha Systems) ;
  • Park, Il-Hyun (The 2nd Research and Development Institute, Agency for Defense Development) ;
  • Seo, Jong-Woo (The 2nd Research and Development Institute, Agency for Defense Development) ;
  • Jung, Jae-Soo (The 2nd Research and Development Institute, Agency for Defense Development) ;
  • Yu, Byung-Gil (Communication-CW Team, Hanwha Systems)
  • Received : 2021.07.05
  • Accepted : 2021.07.22
  • Published : 2021.08.31
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Abstract

In this paper, we propose a conformal Ku-band data link antenna to ensure low RCS of stealth UAV. As a phased array antenna with electrical beam steering function, a transmitter and a receiver were designed and manufactured for FDD communication, respectively. Each antenna is designed as a 12*12 planar array antenna and has a function to form a uni-directional pattern and a bi-directional pattern through phase control of unit elements. The beam steering range is designed to be able to steer up to 60 degrees in theta direction and 360 degrees in the phi direction. As a result of manufacturing and measurement, the conformal type radome has low transmission loss and meets the required specifications including system performance. The feasibility of mounting the stealth UAV has been confirmed, and future research directions such as interworking of baseband devices and conversion to digital beam steering function are suggested.

본 논문에서는 스텔스 무인기의 낮은 RCS를 확보하기 위한 컨포멀 형태의 Ku대역 데이터링크 안테나를 제안한다. 전기적 빔조향 기능을 갖는 위상배열안테나로 FDD 통신방식을 위해 송신부와 수신부를 각각 설계 및 제작하였다. 각각의 안테나는 12*12 평면 형태의 배열안테나로 설계하였으며 단위소자의 위상제어를 통해 Uni-directional 패턴과 Bi-directional 패턴을 형성할 수 있는 기능을 갖고 있다. 빔조향 범위는 theta 방향으로 최대 60도까지, phi 방향으로는 360도까지 빔조향이 가능하도록 설계하였다. 제작 및 측정 결과 컨포멀 형태의 레이돔은 낮은 투과손실을 갖고 있으며, 시스템 성능을 포함하여 요구 규격을 충족하였다. 스텔스 무인기 탑재에 대한 타당성을 확인하였으며, 향후 baseband 장치의 연동 및 디지털 빔조향 기능으로의 변환 등 추가 연구의 방향성을 제시한다.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This study was conducted with the support of Agency for Defense Development.

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