Technologies for Next-Generation Conformal and Reconfigurable Radar System
Abstract
Technologies for Next-Generation Conformal andReconfigurable Radar SystemsThe University of OklahomaAdvanced Radar Research Cente"rThe United States Navy faces a number of significant obstacles in the near future. Uncertainlittoral environments, congested and"" contested spectrum, asymmetric engagements, sophisticatedand unsophisticated adversaries, proliferation of unmanned (especially ae""rial) vehicles, increasedreliance on networked operations, and other factors all impact the Navy~s ability to dominateoperations."" In response, the U.S. Navy must continue to develop agile sensors that caneffectively maneuver in frequency (spectrum) and space (""aperture) while retaining their ability toavoid and cancel interference.With these circumstances in mind, we propose a detailed pr""ogram of research and developmentin conformal and reconfigurable RF components, systems, and corresponding algorithms. Theproposed"" program of research is designed to improve the agility, responsiveness, and multifunctionalityof RF sensors and communication syst""ems, while enabling future implementationon small and conformal surfaces. The proposed project contains four major research thrusts"".First, we propose to integrate the antenna element and RF filter into a single device termed aFiltenna. By integrating the radiat""ing element with RF filtering, we contend that a tunable devicecan be made smaller and with reduced power consumption. We also beli""eve that an integrateddesign will streamline the size of the device, making it more suitable for installation on smalland/or confo"rmal surfaces. This part of the project will culminate in the demonstration of a 4-by-4 phased array with the capability to reconfi"gure its center frequency. Under the second thrust,we propose to implement GPS-based synchronization between multiple all-digital a"pertures inorder to develop a networked and/or MIMO all-digital radar capability. Such a capability couldbe used to demonstrate a variety of concepts involving spatial reconfiguration and novel spacetime-frequency signaling and spectrum sharing. The third major thrust involves the developmentof an S- and X-band dual-band antenna array. We propose to use artificial dielectric materialswit"h frequency-dependent properties to demonstrate a prototype of such a dual-band array.Finally, in the fourth thrust, we will develo""p algorithms, objective functions, and processingtechniques that support and exploit the reconfigurability and multi-band capabilit"ies developed inthe first three thrusts.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 23, 2018
- Source ID
- N000141812035
Entities
People
- Nathan A. Goodman
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Oklahoma