The Antenna and Optical Systems Branch (RHA) 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.
