Small antenna technologies company, Pharad, has introduced a new antenna based on its Peel & Stick Appliqué antenna technology for Unmanned Ariel Systems and Drones. The design of the new L, S and C-band antenna has been optimized for Mobile Ad Hoc Networking (MANET) radios operating in both licensed and unlicensed Military, Federal, Broadcast Auxiliary Service (BAS), and Commercial bands.
Pharad’s L, S, and C-band Peel & Stick Appliqué antenna offers an electromagnetically efficient radiating solution for a variety of applications, including UAV datalinks and covert vehicle communications. The portfolio provides a high quality radiating solution, while still being nearly as thin as a piece of paper (less than 10 mils thick) and also very lightweight; weighing less than 1 oz. A durable one-time use pressure sensitive adhesive on one side of the radiator allows the Pharad Peel & Stick Appliqué antenna to adhere to the surface. The application process takes only seconds to complete.
The reduction in size and weight of UASs incorporating MANET radio modules, according to Pharad President Austin Farnham, has significantly decreased the space and weight allocation for antennas, but has not mitigated the need for high quality radiating solutions. In fact, UAS system integrators have demanded that the antenna solutions improve the range and persistence of the UAS platform. Extending the mission capabilities of UASs was the design goal in creating this new antenna. Pharad customers have found that the Appliqué antennas provide high performance radiating solutions while introducing virtually no aerodynamic impairment to the UAS flight profile.
Pharad’s Peel & Stick Appliqué antennas for mini-UAV and drone applications are made in the USA and operate over the frequency ranges of 30 MHz to 10 GHz. The Appliqué antennas are suitable for non-carbon fiber composite UAVs such as those constructed of fiberglass, Kevlar, or polypropylene; common materials for small UAVs.
