Enabling Technologies and Novel Apertures for Electronic Support and Surveillance from HF to W-Band
Abstract
Electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) needs and uses are exponentially growing around the globe, therefore amplifying the necessity for new radio frequency (RF) technologies that are increasingly capable and evermore universal at lower costs. In this vein, it is easy toenvision the improvement possible from reduced number of stand-alone surveillance and Electronic Warfare (EW) systems by merging the transmitting (Tx) and receiving (Rx) needs across wide high frequency (HF), microwave, and millimeter wave (mmW) spectra. This multifunctional paradigm shall also lead to increased mission effectiveness and the enhanced survivability of personnel and naval land,sea, and air platforms. To achieve such a feat, research is proposed into the development of novel RF technologies of interest for ES and surveillance in two areas of focus: (1) compact and stowable multifunction arrays operating in HF and (2) low-cost wideband all-metal coaxial transmission lines capitalizing on current and future additive manufacturing technologies. HF communications and surveillance are critical for over the horizon and beyond line-of-sight operation when satellite communications are silenced or otherwise inactive. A multifunctional approach to HF carries with it the potential for rapidly deployable and robust antenna systems capable of supporting communications and EW needs through near-vertical sky incidence (NVIS), skywave, and groundwave modes simultaneously through a single in-band full-duplex aperture. Transmission lines are the bloodwork of RF systems, much like veins in a living body. They interconnect passive and active components carrying information across the entire system. Insertion loss, cross-interferencheir use in any given application. Moreover, they are a fundamental building block for components such as rds, delay lines, antennas, etc. A scalable 3d printed coaxial technology over wide frequency ranges offers great benefit for engineers. Additionally, the low-cost, small size, and packaging options for the demonstrated technologies may enable easier integration with manned or unmanned systems and use for other mounted or dismounted needs. If successful, this research shall pave the way for new low-cost fixed, mobile, and distributed RF front-ends compatible with analog, digital, and mixed-electronics as well as optics-based back-ends. University of Colorado Boulder shall carry out research and development on the aforementioned focuses. Research tasks are:Task 1: design and demonstration of small, low-cost, easily deployable and transportable HF antenna arrays with retrodirective as well as simultaneous transmit and receive (STAR) capabilities. If successful, this program shall lead to small size and low weightultrawideband front ends with said capabilities over 2-30MHz range. Electrically small antennasforming linear and circular arrays connected through low-cost assemblies with multifunction beamformer networks shall be developed. Retrodirectivity and STAR multifunction beamforming networks shall be demonstrated for the first time at these frequencies.Task 2: development of a coaxial transmissionline technology based off all-metal additive manufacturing and demonstration of functional ES components and subsystems operating ov coaxial lines whose unique transverse electromagnetic properties will enable the development of antenna and phased array apertures, hybrids, true time delay lines, filters, diplexers, beamformers, etc. across contiguous 1-6GHz, 6-36GHz, and 36-90GHz bands. The focus of the research is on ES front-ends; however, their utility for Electronic Attack shall also be investigated. Approved for Publi
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 05, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142112641
Entities
People
- Dejan S. Filipovic
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Regents of the University of Colorado
- United States Navy