Dual Polarization Sinuous Antennas

L3Harris is the world-class leader in dual polarization sinuous antenna design. The sinuous antenna has the capability of simultaneously handling radio frequency signals of any two orthogonal polarizations on two isolated output ports. Our dual polarization sinuous provides near 100% probability of intercept over a broad field of view. This gives us the ability to provide an antenna custom built to your specifications. L3Harris’ dual sinuous models range in size from 2 to 10 inches that meet high-quality standards backed by years of design experience.

As the industry leader in manufacturing dual polarization sinuous antennas, L3Harris has delivered over 5,000 ruggedized antennas for use in harsh airborne environments such as fighters, helicopters, and tilt-rotor aircraft.

Here are some examples of data sheets of systems we’ve developed and flown in the past:

Model 54727 - 2.0" Diameter Switch Selected Polarization E/J Band
Model 53620 - 2.4" Diameter Switch Selected Polarization E/J Band
Model 53640 - 2.4" Diameter Dual Output E/J Band

L3Harris’ dual sinuous antenna performs very similarly to its spiral counterpart with similar bandwidths, gain and beamwidth with nominally better ellipticity. In the same footprint you get polarization diversity, the capability of both left hand (LH) and right hand (RH) polarizations. Another benefit of a dual sinuous antenna is the consistency of the beamwidth and ellipticity across the specified frequency band.

The sinuous antennas’ inherent performance, 9:1 or greater bandwidth, near-hemispherical beamwidth and polarization diversity make these antennas ideally suited for insertion into electronic warfare (EW) direction finding (DF) systems. These EW systems are often the first and only line of defense against radar-guided kinetic weapons aimed at the host platforms.

In addition to reducing size and weight by one-half, in interferometer applications—as a result of co-located RH and LH apertures—the sinuous antenna introduces no phase boresight offset errors which are typically present in multi-polarization spiral arrays. In the simplest configuration, the L3Harris sinuous antenna is used in a four antenna (Quadrant) system, one antenna per azimuthal quadrant, amplitude DF system. The near hemispherical beam patterns allow an elevation coverage of up to +/- 90 degrees.

High-Performance Airborne DF Systems

L3Harris' sinuous antennas enable high-performance airborne direction finding systems. The EW/DF receive antenna is a key determinant in airborne EW and signals intelligence (SIGINT) detection, identification and evasion. These EW systems are a key element in the suppression of other systems’ impinging co-channel interference signals and more sophisticated electronic attack jammers employing means other than RF brute force.