Electronic Military & Defense Annual Resource

2nd Edition

Electronic Military & Defense magazine was developed for engineers, program managers, project managers, and those involved in the design and development of electronic and electro-optic systems for military, defense, and aerospace applications.

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Technology in commercial designs — can achieve more direc- tional transmission. • Broadband small-form-factor antenna: Spread spectrum and frequency hopping protocols in con- sumer wireless have led manufacturers to develop embedded broadband antennas capable of opera- tion in 10 different frequency bands over a fre- quency range of 700 MHz to 3 GHz. This approach replaces the multiband multiple-element external antenna with a single broadband element. For mili- tary applications, the range can extend to 6 GHz. Military radios, of course, must be more rugged than consumer handsets. Embedded antenna technology goes hand-in-hand with advances in composite materials as a replacement for metal-housed radios. The combination of composite housings and embedded antennas yields not only a very sturdy structure, but opens the possibilities for size and weight reduction, lower part counts, and higher reliability by integrating mechanical and electrical functionality into one part. Embedded antennas can be designed for multiband operation to cover multiple tacti- OptiCentric 3D IR ® Measuring lens centering, air spacing, and center thickness inside of assembled IR optical systems cal needs, and multiple antennas can be embedded into a single enclosure. Conclusion The considerable advances in antenna technology in the consumer wireless sector can be leveraged for military applications. Many requirements for next-generation tactical radios have already been proven in consumer applications — including broadband antennas, MIMO, and beam steer- ing. Companies that provide antennas for consumer handsets are actively developing rugged, capable solutions for tactical radios by combining expertise in RF technology in the con- sumer space with advanced composites and other materials required to create rugged systems. James O'Keeffe, Ph.D., P.E., is the business development manager – antennas and enclosures for TE Connectivity, Global Aerospace, Defense & Marine. He has more than 12 years of experience working on embedded electronics, integrated system testing, enclosures, composites, and antennas. You can connect with Jim at james.okeeffe@te.com or www.designsmarterfaster.com. ImageMaster HR IR The only vertical and camera based ® MTF test station measuring in VIS and LWIR www.trioptics.com 18 Electronic Military & Defense ■ www.vertmarkets.com/electronics A TRIOPTICS COMPANY Largest range of optical IR test equipment worldwide

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