The
Antenna, Microwave, and Optical Systems
Branch (RCA)
develops antenna, microwave, and
optical systems, subsystems, components,
and techniques for advanced communication
systems. Emphasis is on the development
and characterization of monolithic microwave
integrated circuit (MMIC) based arrays and
array feeds, large-aperture inflatable antennas,
miniaturized antennas, and tradeoff studies
among different antenna technologies for
space applications. Potential lower cost
space-fed active array and reflectarray
concepts are of interest, as well as other
non-MMIC based arrays using microelectromechanical
systems (MEMS), ferroelectric and optical
technology. Research efforts also include
radio frequency (RF) and optical propagation
phenomena through atmospheric and turbulent
media, development and validation of communication
systems for aviation safety and aviation
capacity, and other related electromagnetic
phenomena. The Branch develops, maintains,
and operates state-of-the-art antenna metrology
facilities for measurement and characterization
of diverse antenna systems.
