UAV Components

So, what's a Low Profile Structurally Embedded antenna? It's best to demonstrate. On your desk, pick up a stapler or similar sized object. This represents your UAV. Now grab a ballpoint pen, and "attach" it to the back of the stapler like an antenna. Here you have a high-profile attached antenna. This isn't a very good option for a UAV for many reasons, including aerial drag, wind shear stress on the antenna attachment point, and added weight. Now, take the cap off the pen. If the pen doesn't have a cap, then use a paper clip. Imagine we took that ballpoint pen and put it inside the tubular frame of the UAV. Only the cap sticks out. There's your Low Profile Structurally Embedded antenna. Or one way of acheiving it.

Now you can see the difference, and we hope you understand how significant this is.

What about those variations? When we say polarization, we mean the orientation of the radio wave's electric field (which we antenna designers call the e-plane) to the surface of the Earth. The type of polarization you need depends on your application. Essentially, you want the antenna on your UAV to match the polarization of the antenna that's communicating with the UAV. Feel free to contact us (or by phone 847-584-1000) to discuss your polarization requirements.