Antenna Optimization Study on Stryker Vehicle Using FDTD Technique

Abstract

The purpose of this antenna optimization study is to perform antenna placement optimization for the Blue Force Tracking (BFT), Iridium, and International Maritime Satellite (INMARSAT) antennas on the proposed Mounted Battle Command On The Move (MBCOTM) Stryker system. The MBCOTM Stryker system uses the Stryker Command Vehicle (CV) as its baseline. Engineering analysis of the Stryker CV points out a number of challenges with the antenna integration. First and foremost, the BFT, INMARSAT, and Iridium share the same operational frequency bands. This presents a large potential for co-site interference on the Stryker platform. A second challenge is the degradation of antenna performance when located in close proximity to large metallic obstructions such as the weapon, hatch covers, ammo boxes and other antennas. Without proper antenna placement, these obstructions can have a significant impact on the antenna gain (Fig1,2).To optimize these communication systems on the MBCOTM Stryker system, this study will evaluate the current (baseline) antenna placements for both co-site interference and antenna gain. This study will also develop and evaluate an alternate configuration with the objective of increased antenna gain pattern performance and decreased co-site interference. This study uses Computational Electromagnetic Modeling (CEM), specifically the Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method, to model and simulate effects of antenna placement on the Stryker. The traditional design method for antenna placement was based solely on engineering experience and empirical test data. CEM provides many additional measurable statistics to evaluate antenna placements. This study integrates CEM analysis and statistics into the traditional design method to optimize antenna performance.