Optically Controlled Phased Array Antenna.
Abstract
An optically controlled phased array antenna developed by Hughes Aircraft under a DARPA/Rome Laboratory research program was tested at the Rome Laboratory Newport Test Site. The first round of tests were conducted in June/July 1993 and the second round of tests were in May/October 1996. The antenna is a 3-foot by 9 foot phased array capable of a scan angle of 120 degrees. The antenna was designed to be conformal to the cargo door of a large aircraft and is designed to operate in the frequency range of 830 - 1400 MHz with a 30% instantaneous bandwidth. The extensive bandwidth is made possible by the use of photonically based time delays. A typical phased array antenna based on electronic phase shifters would have on the order of a 3% bandwidth. When a bandwidth larger than 3% is attempted with a conventional electronically controlled phased array, beamsquint (or beamwander) will occur. This translates into inaccurate and unreliabe radar data. A radar system with the advantage of a 30% bandwidth would make it possible to combine the functions of multiple antennas such as radar, communications and electronic warfare, which collectively operate over a large bandwidth into just one array.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA344474
Entities
People
- David A. Garafalo
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory