Uncertain Material Parameter Extraction using FEKO Optimizations for Space Applications

• Published in: 2023 International Applied Computational Electromagnetics Society Symposium (ACES) pp. 1 - 2
• Main Authors: McVay, John Anthony, Rai, Sandip, Avina, Isaac, Tran, Huu
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: ACES 26.03.2023
• Subjects: Aerospace electronics; conformal antenna; laser ablation; leaky-wave antenna; Monitoring; multilayer insulation; Nonhomogeneous media; parameter extraction; Permittivity; Radar antennas; Sensors; space-based capabilities; Spaceborne radar; technical embroidery
• DOI: 10.23919/ACES57841.2023.10114736

Spaceborne assets are subject to the harsh environments of outer space requiring the use of Multilayer Insulation (MLI) to provide the electronics inside the asset with a stable environment to operate. These assets are vulnerable in contested space and require some means of monitoring their surroundings. Most electronic payloads exploit the environmental stability underneath the MLI. These internal components would not be able to monitor the space outside of the asset. Sensing capabilities that can survive the harsh environments must be integrated to the asset's exterior. In this work, a Leaky-Wave Antenna (LWA) radar is designed and fabricated using bonded MLI materials. This allows the radar to be integrated onto the MLI. Uncertain material parameters, including material electrical permittivity and loss tangent, are extracted and estimated for bonded spaceborne MLI.