Rigid-Flexible Antenna Array (RFAA) for Lightweight Deployable Apertures

this paper presents the Rigid-Flexible Antenna Array (RFAA), a concept for realizing ultra-light flexible antenna arrays that can readily integrate active components. This enables realization of phased arrays that can be compactly stowed in small satellites, where mass and volume for antenna payloads are extremely limited. The RFAA is constructed with a very thin, physically flexible material and minimal rigid material, allowing it to be realized with an area density as low as 1.1 $\mathrm{k}\mathrm{g}/\mathrm{m}^{2}$. It employs a compact novel capacitive antenna feed, which simplifies its construction. The concept is validated through simulation of two RFAA element designs, and measurements of two prototype arrays.