L3Harris Adjustable UAV Antenna

Our exhibit will showcase our senior design prototype. The design was created in collaboration with L3Harris and their systems engineering department. The prototype is proof of concept of an adjustable antenna for UAV applications. The design utilizes a special spring called a volute spring. The spring itself acts as the antenna element as well as the extending and retracting mechanism. The overall design was meant to be as light and compact as possible because of the use case scenario. We will show the mechanism extending the antenna and retracting the antenna through the use a graphical user interface. The mechanism will also tighten and loosen as it extends/retracts to the desired length.