1. Higher power - Increased
power can be achieved in the plasma antenna than in the corresponding
metal antenna because of lower Ohmic losses. Plasmas have a much
wider range of power capability than metals as evident from low
powered plasma in fluorescent bulbs to extremely high-powered
plasmas in the Princeton University experimental fusion reactors.
In this range, a high-powered plasma antenna is still low powered
plasma. Since plasmas do not melt, the plasma antennas can provide
heat and fire resistance. The higher achievable power and directivity
of the plasma antenna can enhance target discrimination and track
ballistic missiles at the S and X band.
2. Enhanced bandwidth - By the use of electrodes or lasers
the plasma density can be controlled. The theoretical calculations
on the controlled variation of plasma density in space and time
suggest that greater bandwidth of the plasma antenna can be achieved
than the corresponding metal antenna of the same geometry. This
enhanced bandwidth can improve discrimination.
3. EMI/ECI - The plasma antenna is transparent to incoming
electromagnetic signals in the low density or turned off mode.
This eliminates or diminishes EMI/ECI thereby producing stealth.
Several plasma antennas can have their electron densities adjusted
so that they can operate in close proximity and one antenna can
operate invisible to others. In this physical arrangement mutual
side lobe and back lobe clutter is highly reduced and hence jamming
and clutter is reduced.
4. Higher efficiency and gain - Radiation efficiency in
the plasma antenna is higher due to lower Ohmic losses in the
plasma. Standing wave efficiency is higher because phase conjugate
matching with the antenna feeds can be achieved by adjusting the
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plasma
density and can be maintained during reconfiguration. Estimates
indicate a 20db improvement in antenna efficiency.
5. Reconfiguration and mutifunctionality
- The plasma antenna can be reconfigured on the fly by controlled
variation of the plasma density in space and time with far more
versatility than any arrangement of metal antennas. This reduces
the number of required elements reducing size and weight of shipboard
antennas. One option is to construct controlled density plasma
blankets around plasma antennas thereby creating windows (low-density
sections of the blanket) for main lobe transmission or reception
and closing windows (high-density regions in the plasma blanket).
The plasma windowing effect enhances directivity and gain in a
single plasma antenna element so that an array will have less
elements than a corresponding metal antenna array. Closing plasma
windows where back lobes and side lobes exist eliminates them
and reduces jamming and clutter. This sidelobe reduction below
40db enhances directivity and discrimination. In addition, by
changing plasma densities, a single antenna can operate at one
bandwidth (e.g. communication) while suppressing another bandwidth
(e.g. radar).
6. Lower noise - The plasma antenna has a lower collision
rate among its charge carriers than a metal antenna and calculations
show that this means less noise.
7. Perfect reflector - When the plasma density is high
the plasma becomes a loss-less perfect reflector. Hence there
exist the possibilities of a wide range of lightweight plasma
reflector antennas.
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ASI
specializes in the development of advanced patented plasma technologies
in support of DOD and commercial organizations. ASI staff has
extensive experience in the disciplines of science, physics, engineering
and mathematics with a focus on advanced plasma physics. ASI has
innovated and
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patented new applications of
plasma in the areas of antennas, communication links, electronic
shielding and noise reduction. The Company has worked on plasma
projects with General Dynamics, University of Tennessee, the U.S.
Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Navy and Malibu Research, Inc.
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