GOALI: Integrated Multi-functional Solar Panel Antenna Array

目标：集成多功能太阳能电池板天线阵列本研究的目标是探索可重构相控阵天线，直接与太阳能电池集成，形成多功能电池板。该方法是将透明网状天线和槽状天线集成在太阳能电池上或周围的智能组合，然后创造性地激发天线，实现多重分集。智力优势：这项研究通过将电磁学与太阳能电池相结合，解决了太空探索中最重要的问题之一。该项目解决了对太阳能电池影响最小的最佳天线元件的基本问题，将有源电子设备与太阳能电池板上的天线集成，以及可重构性。该开发将产生集成在太阳能电池板上的有源相控可重构天线阵列，用于非常高的数据速率通信，传输从太空收集的能量，并通过重复使用一个面板进行多次飞行来实现低成本的太空任务。传统天线无法实现这些优势。更广泛的影响：除了卫星应用之外，所提出的集成技术还可用于形成自供电的地面接收器。研究成果可以很容易地适应于无人机机翼等复合表面天线的集成，用于各种应用。在教育方面，这种与工业界的合作将在本科课堂、高年级设计和暑期实习机会中创造令人兴奋的实践项目。该行业合作伙伴将领导将拟议的技术从实验室商业化到准备实施水平，这将直接影响城市通信，可再生能源研究和空间天气监测。

GOALI: Integrated Multi-functional Solar Panel Antenna ArrayThe objective of this research is to explore reconfigurable phased array antennas that are directly integrated with solar cells to form multi-functional panels. The approach is to integrate smart combinations of transparent mesh antennas and slot antennas on or around solar cells, and then to creatively excite the antennas to achieve multiple diversity. Intellectual Merit: This research solves one of the most important problems in space exploration by integrating electromagnetics with solar cells. The project addresses fundamentals of optimal antenna elements with minimal impact on solar cells, integration of active electronics with antennas on solar panels, and reconfigurablility. The development will yield active phased reconfigurable antenna array integrated on solar panels for very high data rate communication, transmitting energy harvested from space, and for low cost space mission by re-using one panel for multiple flights. None of those advantages can be achieved by traditional antennas. Broader Impacts: Besides satellite applications, the proposed integration technique can be employed to form self-powered ground receivers. Research outcomes can be easily adapted to integration of antennas with composite surfaces such as wings of unmanned aerial vehicle for various applications. On the education side, this collaborative effort with industry will create exciting hands-on projects in undergraduate classrooms, senior designs, and summer internship opportunities. The industry partner will take the leadership in commercializing the proposed technology from laboratory to ready-to-implement level, which will directly impact urban communication, renewable energy research, and space weather monitoring.