A Compact Platform-Based Antenna for an Unmanned Ground Vehicle

摘要

This paper presents a design strategy for covert platform-based antennas that operate on electrically-small platforms such as compact unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). Specifically, we report the design of platform-based antennas operating at the lower end of the very high frequency (VHF) band for a small UGV having electrical dimensions of 0.13λ × 0.09λ × 0.05λ at 40 MHz. To do this without increasing the size or visual signature of the platform, the bottom of the UGV is modified in a nondestructive fashion. Specifically, a quarter-wavelength slot antenna is created in the bottom of the vehicle by placing a false bottom in the undercarriage area. The proposed antenna generates a vertically-polarized, monopole-like radiation pattern as verified through simulations and experiments.