Spiral Antennas

Steatite designs and manufactures custom spiral antennas for use in a wide range of demanding environments. Our spiral antennas provide almost frequency-independent performance over wide bandwidths and with broad beam widths.

Their purity of circular polarisation creates outstanding left-hand circularly polarised or right-hand circularly polarised antennas. We manufacture high volumes of  2-arm spiral versions, and also have the expertise to create 4-arm spiral versions.

The spirals have a compact, lightweight design formed by placing the spiral on top of a cylindrical absorber-filled cavity. They can be provided with a protective lensed radome covering the spiral if required.

In communication applications they can be used as single elements, in arrays or as feeds in reflectors. Typical airborne and ground-based applications include EW systems as single elements or in interferometer arrays that are amplitude matched and/or phase matched.

SIGINT, direction finding, and spectrum management applications include 360° arrays. Other applications include Radar Warning Receivers (RWR), ESM and low-power jamming.

Applications Overview

Direction Finding

Direction finding antennas are specialised antennas used for determining the direction from which an electromagnetic signal is coming.

These antennas are designed to receive signals more effectively from a particular direction, while reducing or nullifying signals coming from other directions.

The main advantage of direction finding antennas is their ability to accurately locate the source of a signal, which is crucial in various industries such as military, aviation, and telecommunications.

Spectrum Management

Spectrum management is the process of regulating and allocating frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum for various wireless communication technologies.

The design and placement of antennas are critical to ensure efficient use of the available spectrum while minimising interference with other wireless systems.

Used in various fields such as telecommunications, broadcasting, and satellite communications, Spectrum management antennas and their efficient use is essential to ensure reliable and high-quality wireless communication services.

RWR (Radar Warning Receivers)

Radar Warning Receivers (RWR) antennas are essential components of military aircraft that enable the detection and identification of incoming radar signals.

These antennas work by receiving and analysing the electromagnetic waves emitted by radar systems, which can indicate the presence and location of enemy radar systems.

RWR antennas are typically designed to be lightweight and compact, with high sensitivity and directional selectivity to detect radar signals from different directions.

They are often installed on various parts of the aircraft, including the nose, wings, and tail, to provide 360-degree coverage and maximum detection capability.

Electronic Support Measures (ESM)

Electronic Support Measures (ESM) antennas are critical components of electronic warfare systems used by military forces to detect and analyse electronic emissions from potential adversaries.

These antennas work by detecting the electromagnetic energy emitted by the target, and then processing and analysing this information to provide critical intelligence to military commanders.

ESM antennas are available in various types and configurations, including directional and omni-directional antennas, and are often integrated into larger electronic warfare systems to provide comprehensive situational awareness and threat detection capabilities.

Check out our range of spiral antennas below:

QMS CODE

CATALOGUE NUMBER

DESCRIPTION

FREQUENCY

GAIN

BEAMWIDTH (3DB)

VSWR

POWER (C.W)

CONNECTOR

DATASHEET

QMS-01160

QSP-LC-0.5-22-S-SG-R

0.5 - 22 GHz Left Hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna fitted with an SMA type Connector and Radome.

0.5 to 22 GHz

-7.9 to 4.9 dBi

52.5 to 119.5

<2.0:1 Typical Above 0.8 GHz

2W

SMA

QMS-01138

QSP-LC-2-18-S-SG-R

2 - 18 GHz Left Hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna fitted with an SMA type Connector and Radome.

2 to 18 GHz

0.2 to 4.8 dBi

60 to 117.5

<2.0:1 Typical / <2.5:1 Max

1W

SMA Female

QMS-01126

QSP-RC-2-18-S-SG-R

2 - 18 GHz Right Hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna fitted with an SMA type Connector and Radome.

2 to 18 GHz

0.2 to 4.8 dBi

60 to 117.5

<2.0:1 Typical / <2.5:1 Max

1W

SMA Female

QMS-01113

QSP-RC-0.5-22-S-SG-R

0.5 - 22 GHz Right Hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna fitted with an SMA type Connector and Radome.

0.5 to 22 GHz

-7.9 to 4.9 dBi

52.5 to 119.5

<2.0:1 Typical Above 0.8 GHz

2W

SMA

QMS-01002

QSP-RC-0.5-6-S-SG

0.5 - 6 GHz Right Hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna fitted with an SMA type Connector

0.5 to 6 GHz

-8.6 to 4.1 dBi

60 to 105

< 1.5:1 above 0.8 GHz

5W

SMA type jack

QMS-00992

QSP-RC-6-18-S-R

6 - 18 GHz Right Hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna fitted with an SMA type Connector and Radome.

6 to 18 GHz

1.5 to 5.3 dBi

52 to 99

<2:1 Typical

2W

SMA Female

QMS-00991

QSP-RC-2-6-S-R

2 - 6 GHz Right Hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna fitted with an SMA type Connector and Radome.

2 to 6 GHz

-3.6 to 4.5 dBi

63 to 135

<2:1 Typical

2W

SMA Female

QMS-00962

QSP-RC-18-42-K-SG

18 - 42 GHz Right Hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna with No Mounting Flange fitted with a K type Connector.

18 to 40 GHz

1.5 to 3.9 dBi

47 to 94

<2.5:1 Typical

2W

K

QMS-00961

QSP-LC-18-42-K-SG

18 - 42 GHz Left Hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna with No Mounting Flange fitted with a K type Connector.

18 to 40 GHz

1.5 to 3.9 dBi

47 to 94

<2.5:1 Typical

2W

K

QMS-00936

QSP-LC-2-40-K-SG

2 - 40GHz Left Hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna fitted with an K type Connector.

2 to 40 GHz

-7.7 to 4.4 dBi

57.4 to 131.5

<2.0:1 Typical

2W

K-Type Female

QMS-00935

QSP-RC-2-40-K-SG

2 - 40GHz Right Hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna fitted with an K type Connector.

2 to 40 GHz

-7.7 to 4.7 dBi

57 to 132

<2.0:1 Typical

2W

K-Type Female

QMS-00934

QSP-LC-2-40-K-SG-R

2 - 40GHz Left Hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna fitted with an K type Connector and Radome

2 to 40 GHz

-4.4 to 5.2 dBi

61.2 to 122.9

<2:1 Typical

5W

K-Type Female

QMS-00933

QSP-RC-2-40-K-SG-R

2 - 40GHz Right Hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna fitted with an K type Connector and Radome

2 to 40 GHz

-4.4 to 5.2 dBi

61.2 to 122.9

<2:1 Typical

5W

K-Type Female

QMS-00769

QSP-LC-2-18-S-SG

2 - 18 GHz Left Hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna fitted with an SMA type Connector.

2 to 18 GHz

-0.5 to 4.8 dBi

60 to 127

<2.5:1 Typical / 3.1 Max

1W

SMA

QMS-00762

QSP-RC-1-18-S-SG-R

1 - 18 GHz Right Hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna fitted with an SMA type Connector and Radome.

1 to 18 GHz

0 to 7 dBi

20 to 112

<2.5:1 Typical

2W

SMA

QMS-00761

QSP-LC-1-18-S-SG-R

1 - 18 GHz Left Hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna fitted with an SMA type Connector and Radome.

1 to 18 GHz

-0.3 to 5.3 dBi

47 to 106

<2.5:1 Typical (1.5 to 18 GHz) / 3.2:1 Max

2W

SMA

QMS-00760

QSP-RC-2-18-S-SG-R

2 - 18 GHz Right Hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna fitted with an SMA type Connector and Radome.

2 to 18 GHz

1.3 to 5.3 dBi

53 to 142

<2.5:1 Typical

1W

SMA

QMS-00759

QSP-LC-2-18-S-SG-R

2 - 18 GHz Left Hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna fitted with an SMA type Connector and Radome.

2 to 18 GHz

0.2 to 5.2 dBi

55.3 to 134.9

<2.5:1 Typical / 3.1 Max

1W

SMA

QMS-00458

QSP-RC-1-18-S-SG

1 - 18 GHz Right hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna fitted with an SMA type Connector.

1 to 18 GHz

-4 to 5.8 dBi

41 to 116

<2.4:1 Typical / 3.1 Max

5W

SMA

QMS-00457

QSP-LC-1-18-S-SG

1 - 18 GHz Left Hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna fitted with an SMA type Connector.

1 to 18 GHz

-4 to 5.8 dBi

41 to 116

<2.4:1 Typical / 3.1 Max

5W

SMA

QMS-00386

QSP-RC-18-42-K-SG

18 - 42 GHz Right Hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna fitted with a K type Connector.

18 to 42 GHz

1 to 4.2 dBi

47 to 94

<2.5:1 Typical

2W

K

QMS-00315

QSP-LC-0.5-22-S-SG

0.5 - 22 GHz Left Hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna fitted with an SMA type Connector.

0.5 to 22 GHz

-8 to 3.5 dBi

58 to 109

<1.5:1 Typical Above 0.8 GHz

2W

SMA Female

QMS-00314

QSP-RC-0.5-22-S-SG

0.5 - 22 GHz Right Hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna fitted with an SMA type Connector.

0.5 to 22 GHz

0 to 5 dBi

60 to 115

<1.5:1 Typical

2W

SMA

QMS-00309

QSP-RC-2-18-S-SG

2 - 18 GHz Right Hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna fitted with an SMA type Connector.

2 to 18 GHz

-0.5 to 4.8 dBi

60 to 120

<2.5:1 Typical / 3 Max

1W

SMA

QMS-00051

QSP-RC-18-42-K-SG-L

18 - 42 GHz Right Hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna fitted with a K type Connector and Lensed Radome.

18 to 42 GHz

2.2 to 6.5 dBi

30 to 80

<2.5:1 Typical

2W

K

QMS-00050

QSP-LC-18-42-K-SG-L

18 - 42 GHz Left Hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna fitted with a K type Connector and Lensed Radome.

18 to 42 GHz

2.2 to 6.5 dBi

37.4 to 83.8

<2.5:1 Typical

2W

K

QMS-00049

QSP-LC-18-42-K-SG

18 - 42 GHz Left Hand Circularly Polarised Spiral Antenna fitted with a K type Connector.

18 to 42 GHz

1 to 4.2 dBi

47 to 94

<2.5:1 Typical

2W

K

Need a more bespoke solution? Then get in touch with the team:

Phone

01568 617 920