Wirelessly Networked Digital Phased Array: Design and Analysis of a 2.4 GHz Demonstrator
Abstract
The wirelessly networked opportunistic digital array radar (WNODAR) system combines opportunistic phased array and aperstructure concepts. The array elements contain stand alone transmit receive (T/R) modules with no hardwire connections other than prime power and are wirelessly networked to a central controller and processor unit. A full scale WNODAR operating in the VHF/UHF frequency bands (300 MHz) exhibits many favorable properties, which make the system suitable for ballistic missile defense (BMD) early warning radar (EWR) applications. In order to validate the WNODAR concepts, demonstration arrays consisting of T/R modules realized using field programmable gate array (FPGA) technology are developed. The demonstration units are frequency scaled from the projected VHF/UHF frequency range to S-band (2.4 GHz) to make use of the abundance of commercial off the shelf (COTS) wireless communication components. This research primarily relates to the development of a demonstration T/R module and the evaluation and characterization of component devices. Design, analysis and simulation of an eight element demonstration array using MATLAB and CST Microwave Studio were conducted to examine expected array beam patterns.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA456947
Entities
People
- Gert Burgstaller
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School