Overview
Building foundation in RF and antenna theory through progressively complex antenna projects, working toward designing custom phased array antennas for drone and counter-UAS applications.
Long-term Goal: Design lightweight phased array antennas for drone-mounted and ground station applications.
Tech Stack: RF Design • L-Band • Phased Arrays • ROS • Python • 3D Printing
Problem
Phased array antenna design requires deep understanding of RF theory, antenna design principles, and signal processing. Current expertise gap prevents jumping directly into complex phased array development.
Solution
Incremental learning path: build increasingly complex antenna designs starting with proven concepts, developing hands-on experience with RF theory, fabrication techniques, and control systems.
Current Project: L-Band Satellite Tracking Antenna
Status: Building first antenna - L-Band (1.5 GHz) for satellite reception with motorized tracking mount
Components:
- Antenna: L-Band design from thebaldgeek
- Gimbal: Motorized 2-axis mount adapted from camera gimbal (design credit)
- Control: Custom software interface for automated satellite tracking
Purpose: Learn antenna fabrication basics and motor control programming without design complexity.
Satellite Tracking Gimbal
Custom control interface for programmatic motor control and satellite tracking. Developing reusable motion control system applicable to future projects.
Roadmap
HAM Radio License
Target: Technician exam January 11, 2025; General/Extra Spring 2025
Goals:
- Master FCC regulations and spectrum allocation
- Build foundational RF/antenna theory knowledge
- Connect with amateur radio community for mentorship
- Identify knowledge gaps (“unknown unknowns”)
Radar Systems
Building ground-based counter-UAS radar system for detection, tracking, and targeting. Completed MIT OCW radar theory course. Inspired by Jon Kraft’s phased array radar work.
Phased Array Antenna
Ultimate technical goal. Currently building knowledge through:
- Books: Ultrawideband Phased Array Antenna Technology (MIT Lincoln Lab), Active Electronically Scanned Arrays
- Academic papers on beamforming and array theory
- Hands-on antenna builds
Target Applications:
- Drone-mounted: AESA radar, high-bandwidth comms, SIGINT, electronic warfare
- Ground station: Counter-UAS radar, drone communications, electronic warfare
Magnetotellurics (Moonshot)
Concept: Drone swarm-based geophysical surveying for resource exploration
Problem: Traditional magnetotellurics (MT) requires expensive ground-based antenna grids or helicopter-mounted systems (see Expert Geophysics Mobile MT).
Proposed Solution: Autonomous drone swarm with distributed antenna array for low-cost, scalable geophysical mapping. Combines:
- Phased array antenna techniques
- Drone swarm coordination
- Signal processing for distributed sensing
- Automated survey pattern execution
Status: Long-term goal requiring expertise in antenna arrays, signal processing, geology, and autonomous swarms. Current projects build toward this capability.
Collaborators wanted - Contact me if interested in contributing geophysics, signal processing, or swarm coordination expertise.
Communications / Drone Area Network (DAN)
Exploring phased array applications for ad-hoc drone networking and air traffic control. Concept: self-organizing communication protocol for autonomous drone coordination at scale.