Federal Data Corporation (FDC), and NASA¿s Lewis Research Center, today announced the development of a suite of transparent, miniature antennas. The size of a postage stamp, these antennas are ideally suited to function with an emerging market sector for wireless computer networks, automotive safety and navigation systems, and a variety of terrestrial or direct satellite-to-home links in the 20-100 GHz frequency range. FDC has applied for a U.S. patent on the technology.

Developed when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opened its 20-100 GHz frequency range for the first time, these new and innovative antennas enable satellite or terrestrial communications without massive dishes or panels. Consisting of an electrical conducting transparent material, these antennas can be coated on any clear surface such as plastics, glass, computer displays or TV screens. Until now, mass-market communications have operated at frequencies below 3 GHz¿their receivers obstruct views and are unusable on computers, TVs, and cars.

With the 20-100 GHz range, manufacturers can place these antennas on new and existing home or office windows for dishless communications, on TV or PC screens for wireless communications, and space reuse on LANs for desktop or mobile computing to eliminate wire clusters under desks. These antennas can also be used on car windows to operate a GPS navigation system, for automated toll collection, and to implement collision avoidance system.

About Federal Data Corporation

Founded in 1969, Federal Data Corporation is one of the most experienced IT providers serving the Federal Government. Specializing in providing turn-key, fully integrated system solutions and professional services to meet the information management needs of the Federal Government, Federal Data Corporation has successfully managed and implemented thousands of government contracts nationwide. Federal Data Corporation is organized into three primary operating groups:

  • Systems Integration Group provides large-scale, integrated information
    technology systems customized to meet the unique needs of individual
    customers. These systems are typically delivered through multi-year,
    technically complex contracts. In addition, this group also provides information technology solutions in the areas of: Microsoft consulting, executive management consulting, electronic commerce and training and GPRA, data mining and warehousing.

  • Systems & Technology Group is the company¿s principal value-added resale unit focusing on the sale of workstations, servers and enterprise networking hardware. Along with providing a broad range of top-quality products through partnerships with leading hardware and software vendors, the company adds value for customers through extensive knowledge of the Federal government procurement process.
  • Science & Engineering Group provides engineering services, scientific and information technology services, including space experimentation, software development, aerospace technology, health science support and air traffic management functions to government agencies including NASA, FAA, NIH and commercial customers.

    Federal Data Corporation is owned by The Carlyle Group, a private merchant bank based in Washington, DC, along with members of FDC management. Carlyle originates structures and acts as lead equity investor in management-led buyouts and minority equity investments.

  • Federal Data Corporation