Plasma
Antennas
Plasma antennas do apply plasma discharges either
as an Electromagnetic reflector or as radiating elements,
and introduce reconfigurable capabilities that are not achievable
by conventional antennas
our product
PLASMA
ANTENNA
Plasma antennas do apply plasma discharges either as an Electromagnetic reflector or as radiating elements, and introduce reconfigurable capabilities that are not achievable by conventional antennas.



KEY FEATURES
BENEFITS
APPLICATIONS
Telecommunication, navigation in the L band.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Numerical code able to simulate a plasma antenna elements have been implemented and validated. An antenna mock-up has been manufactured and tested both in open field and in anechoic chamber. Current TRL is 4.
DEVELOPMENT
An internal development is currently ongoing to target TRL 5.
OUR background
Researches on plasma antennas started in 2012 exploiting competences matured in the development of plasma thrusters. We firstly developed code suitable to simulate wave propagation within plasma elements and antenna coupling. We designed and developed several prototypes, which, after having overcome several criticalities due to power coupled to plasma, have been successfully tested in an open field and on an anechoic chamber. Experimental results match very well numerical results.

10+ years of experience

FULL PROCESS SERVICES

PROBLEM SOLVING
founded projects
The research and development took place through
different research internal and external programs as:

coordinated by Alma-Sistemi.

and coordinated by Elital.
capabilities
We carry out research and development activities
through a combined numerical/experimental investigation.



PLASMA ANTENNA
TECHNOLOGY
Plasma antennas do apply plasma elements to interact with the electromagnetic field to obtain unconventional effects. We developed two types of antennas. The first is a plasma reflector antenna that is able to electronically focus and steer the beam of an intrinsically-omnidirectional feed. The second is a plasma dipole in the UHF band.
Steerable
Plasma technology enables antenna steering.
Broad frequency range
Changes in plasma elements density allow the antenna to operate within a rather broad frequency band width.
Variable radar cross section
Once plasma is turned off the radar cross section of the system becomes very small.