https://newatlas.com/telecommunications/woven-helical-antenna/ * SUBSCRIBE AD-FREE * LOG IN * HOME * LIFESTYLE + Health & Wellbeing + Outdoors + Tiny Houses + Architecture + Around the Home + Good Thinking + Holiday Destinations + View all LIFESTYLE categories + Health & Wellbeing + Outdoors + Tiny Houses + Architecture + Around the Home + Good Thinking + Holiday Destinations + View all LIFESTYLE categories * SCIENCE + Energy + Medical + Space + Materials + Biology + Environment + Physics + View all SCIENCE categories + Energy + Medical + Space + Materials + Biology + Environment + Physics + View all SCIENCE categories * TECHNOLOGY + Photography + Military + Mobile Technology + Games + Drones + Home Entertainment + Deals + View all TECHNOLOGY categories + Photography + Military + Mobile Technology + Games + Drones + Home Entertainment + Deals + View all TECHNOLOGY categories * TRANSPORT + Automotive + Aircraft + Bicycles + Motorcycles + Marine + Urban Transport + View all TRANSPORT categories + Automotive + Aircraft + Bicycles + Motorcycles + Marine + Urban Transport + View all TRANSPORT categories (c) 2024 New Atlas New Atlas logo Menu * HOME * LIFESTYLE + Health & Wellbeing + Outdoors + Tiny Houses + Architecture + Around the Home + Good Thinking + Holiday Destinations + View all LIFESTYLE categories * SCIENCE + Energy + Medical + Space + Materials + Biology + Environment + Physics + View all SCIENCE categories * TECHNOLOGY + Photography + Military + Mobile Technology + Games + Drones + Home Entertainment + Deals + View all TECHNOLOGY categories * TRANSPORT + Automotive + Aircraft + Bicycles + Motorcycles + Marine + Urban Transport + View all TRANSPORT categories * SUBSCRIBE AD-FREE * LOG IN Show Search [ ]Search Query Submit Search Telecommunications Lightweight woven antenna could replace field-deployed dishes By Ben Coxworth January 22, 2024 * Facebook * Twitter * Flipboard * LinkedIn Inline image / # Lightweight woven antenna could replace field-deployed dishes Co-creator Asst. Prof. Maria Sakovsky with the bi-stable deployable quadrifilar helix antenna Co-creator Asst. Prof. Maria Sakovsky with the bi-stable deployable quadrifilar helix antenna Andrew Brodhead View 2 Images 1/2 The antenna in its satellite (left) and ground crew configurations Reconfigurable & Active Structures Lab 2/2 Co-creator Asst. Prof. Maria Sakovsky with the bi-stable deployable quadrifilar helix antenna Andrew Brodhead [icon-mouse-sc] Ordinarily, in order to establish communications at locations such as disaster sites, rescuers have to transport and set up relatively bulky, costly satellite dishes. Soon, however, a simple tubular antenna made of woven strips of material may get the job done. Developed by scientists from Stanford University and the American University of Beirut, the prototype device is a form of what's known as a helical antenna. In general, this type of antenna consists of one or more conductive wires wound in a helix (like a corkscrew) around a central support mast. The new "bi-stable deployable quadrifilar helix antenna" does away with the support, and replaces the wires with strips of a conductive fiber composite material - these are wound together in a helix pattern, to form a hollow cylinder. Importantly, that cylinder can be pulled out into a long skinny configuration about one foot tall (305 mm), or pushed down to form a ring about one inch tall by five inches across (25 by 127 mm). In its long state - and when connected to electronics such as a transceiver, ground plane and battery - the antenna emits a low-power signal in all directions, allowing for radio communications with ground-based team members. In its short state, it sends a high-power signal in a specific direction, allowing for satellite communications. The frequencies utilized in either state are determined by the exact dimensions of each individual antenna. The antenna in its satellite (left) and ground crew configurations Reconfigurable & Active Structures Lab One thing that helps keep setup simple is the device's bi-stable construction. This means that when pulled or pushed by hand, it will automatically pop itself into the desired configuration - so there's no guesswork as to whether or not it's been properly deployed, whether at a disaster site, battlefield, or potentially even in a spacecraft. "The state-of-the-art solutions typically employed in these areas are heavy, metallic dishes. They're not easy to move around, they require a lot of power to operate, and they're not particularly cost-effective," said Stanford's Asst. Prof. Maria Sakovsky. "Our antenna is lightweight, low-power, and can switch between two operating states. It's able to do more with as little as possible in these areas where communications are lacking." A paper on the research was recently published in the journal Nature Communications. Source: Stanford University Tags TelecommunicationsStanford UniversityAntenna * Facebook * Twitter * Flipboard * LinkedIn 3 comments Ben Coxworth Ben Coxworth Based out of Edmonton, Canada, Ben Coxworth has been writing for New Atlas since 2009 and is presently Managing Editor for North America. An experienced freelance writer, he previously obtained an English BA from the University of Saskatchewan, then spent over 20 years working in various markets as a television reporter, producer and news videographer. Ben is particularly interested in scientific innovation, human-powered transportation, and the marine environment. Most Viewed * Assuming all goes to plan, the Legends Tower will reach a height of 1,907 ft (581 m) Architecture Oklahoma skyscraper gets redesign to become USA's new tallest building * The Quarterhorse Mark 0 Aircraft Quarterhorse Mk 0 takes first steps toward breaking SR-71 speed record * The new Sportcaravan Cube 1 is a small, lightweight trailer meant for all-season adventure Outdoors Tiny Cube camper uses trap door to get "mega" with micro-caravanning Load More 3 comments Sign in to post a comment. Please keep comments to less than 150 words. No abusive material or spam will be published. Trylon January 22, 2024 03:15 PM So basically Chinese finger traps using conductive elements. Tim January 23, 2024 02:13 AM With the imminent release of direct to satellite sms & calls & even data from existing phones, the uses cases for this antenna are shrinking! SpaceX & AST Space Mobile have been busy signing contracts with many of the world's major telcos. Adrian Akau January 23, 2024 05:22 PM Good article. Saving comment... [ ] Post New Atlas logo GET OUR NEWSLETTER Over 220,000 people receive our email newsletter. Get your daily dose of extraordinary ideas! 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