High-power RF Switching and GRIN Media for Dynamic Feed Networks of Wideband Lens Antennas (23-000005918)
Abstract
TA4: High-power RF Switching and GRIN Media for DynamicFeed Networks of Wideband Lens AntennasApproved for Public ReleaseOverview: This effort will develop novel polarization-graded high-field GaN HEMT switches integratedinto a new interleaved and phase-shifted switch matrix based on ridge-gap waveguidesfor wideband and low-loss, multi-feed phased illumination of high-power GRIN lens antennas.The high-power phased feeding of the proposed Interleaved Switch Phased-beam Lens (ISPL) systemwill enable low-cost and high-power (kilowatt-class) beamforming lens antennas with phasedarray-like capabilities.TA4 Research Problem: Radar and EW applications require antennas with high effective isotropicradiated power (EIRP) and wide-angle beam-scanning. The traditional solution is the highlycapablephased array antenna (PAA) with flexible pattern control and wide-angle beam-steering.High-EIRP is achieved by using many elements with correspondingly high costs, preventing deploymenton cost-sensitive platforms. Recently, 3D-printed gradient-index (GRIN) lens antennas haveshown promise as a low-cost PAA alternative where beamscan is usually realized with a switchbeamlens (SBL) architecture#an electronic switch matrix (SM) changes the lens illumination spotfor various scan angles. This single-feed-per-beam scheme reduces cost and complexity but forhigh-EIRP applications requires a very high power source and a high power-handling SM. Additionally,the beams are static with fixed beamwidth and sidelobe-level (SLL) making the SBLinferior to the PAA for many applications.Objectives: This effort proposes to address these limitations by developing: 1) a new interleavedswitch matrix which employs multiple, adjacent, and phase-shifted feed elements to produce a singlebeam (i.e., multiple-feed-per-beam) and, 2) novel polarization-graded high-field GaNHEMTswitches as a low-insertion loss, low-drive-power device for switching high-power microwave (HPM)signals. The proposed system will support 2kW(target) and 5kW(objective) switch matrices which,when interleaved, will achieve 13.5 kW (target) and 40.5kW (objective) total radiated power. Allcomponents will operate from 2-20 GHz.Technical Approach: The ISPL combines N HPM sources throughN interleaved SMs to increaseoverall EIRP by a factor N while SM power handling scales by a factor 1{N. By adjusting therelative phase of the HPM sources, this approach offers phased-array-like dynamic beam control atkilowatt-level with dramatically lower cost and complexity. The novel high-power switches improvepower handling by controlling the electric field within the device through polarization engineering,while maintaining low on-state resistance and high off-state capacitance.Anticipated Outcomes & DoD Impact: This program will develop novel kilowatt-class beamscanningantennas capable of phased-array-like beamforming but at substantially lower costs. Thisis relevant to the Navy#s Unmanned Campaign Framework which calls out the need for lowcost, unmanned,and risk-worthy platforms with advanced antenna capabilities including high-EIRP apertures.Off-board decoys and Medium Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) require highly directionalantennas with high radiated power levels. While GRIN SBLs provide this ability, they require highpowerswitchnetworks to illuminate the lens. This effort will develop key enabling technology fortransitioning high-power and fully-electronically-scanned GRIN lens antennas into Navy-relevantplatforms and applications. This program is expected to provide a complete solutionfor threatworthy,high-EIRP beamscanning antenna systems with a ready path for technology transition becauseof the commercial availability of the polarization graded devices.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 11, 2024
- Source ID
- N000142412210
Entities
People
- Jonathan D Chisum
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Notre Dame