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Looking at a problem from a different angle
30 March 2012
HUNTSVILLE, Ala.–Innovative products often are born after looking at a problem from a different angle.
That's how Paul Gierow and his employees at GATR Technologies did things. Gierow took his experience in designing space deployables (big things) and applied to it the unique problem of small, portable antennae.
Making effective portable antennae is not just about size, weight and power. It's about the fundamental design and the crucial demand for stability in the field.
A traditional satellite dish in the field is susceptible to wind; in fact it's probably as effective in catching wind as a sail. And no matter how much you anchor it, traditional portable dish designs can be pushed just a few millimeters (and lose the signal) in strong winds.
Gierow looked at two basic design needs: Portability and stability and approached the problem from a different angle. What if you could come up with a design that solved both those problems elegantly? And to top it off, what if you figured out a way to power it using portable solar cells?
If you could, then the military and non-governmental agencies helping relief efforts would be big-time customers. And that's what GATR has done with a design that looks like a big exercise ball. Listen to Gierow explain his design, which draws 120W and fits into two portable suitcases:
William Ketel April 4, 2012 at 4:16 pm
The inflateable radome is interesting, but I do wonder if the actual antenna is inflateable or not. A few more details would a dd a whole lot.
john@quetra.co.uk April 10, 2012 at 9:43 am
William, look at patent EP2148387 for your answer – it's clever.
Jim Ford April 10, 2012 at 11:21 am
I love it! Brilliantly simple or simply brilliant! I'm going to have to check out GATR Technologies on the web for more information. I suspect that part of the inside of the ball is painted with microwave-reflecting material, and since the ball is near-spherical, there will be a loss of gain versus a parabolic dish. Similar to spherical aberration at optical frequencies. But I guess you just make the ball bigger.
Jim Ford April 10, 2012 at 11:32 am
I stand corrected; there is a flexible parabolic dish inside the ball. See the link here: http://www.gatr.com/images/stories/docs/OnTheBall_web.pdf
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john Linstrom April 3, 2012 at 11:39 am
Good idea!
Not to be limited by unnecessary parts or wrappings;
give them what they need and keep options open for all the REST of the job -