Phased array antennas have a large number of civilian and military applications. In this paper we briefly review common
approaches to an integrated implementation of radar and electronic warfare digital phase array module and highlight features
that are common to both of these applications. Then we discuss how the promising features of the radio frequency
integrated circuit (RFIC)-based technology can be utilized in building a transceiver module that meets the requirements
of both radar and electronic warfare applications with minimum number of external components. This is achieved by
researching the pros and cons of the different receiver architectures and their performance from the targeted applications
point of view. Then, we survey current RFIC technologies and highlight the pros and cons of these technologies and how
they impact the performance of the discussed receiver architectures.
Accurate characterisation of transmission lines is essential in enabling the design of Monolithic Microwave Integrated
Circuits (MMICs) or Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits (RFICs). One RFIC technology currently being pursued is
Silicon on Sapphire Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) technology. CMOS processes typically
involve stacked metal layer structures and the correct method of modelling coplanar waveguides in CMOS is unclear.
This paper reports on preliminary studies into electromagnetic design, with an emphasis on correctly predicting losses
associated with these structures.
KEYWORDS: Radar, Doppler effect, Transceivers, Antennas, Signal to noise ratio, Surveillance, Integrated circuits, Signal detection, Signal processing, Modulation
A 35 GHz Doppler CW/FMCW transceiver (Equivalent Radiated Power ERP=30dBm) has been assembled and its operation described. Both instantaneous beat signals (relating to range in FMCW mode) and Doppler signals (relating to targets moving at ~1.5 ms-1) exhibit audio frequencies. Consequently, the radar processing is provided by laptop PC using its inbuilt video-audio media system with appropriate MathWorks software. The implications of radar-on-chip developments are addressed.
Microstrip patch antenna arrangements offer many advantages. They provide low profiles, are light-weight and are easily integrated with the monolithic circuitry that has been embraced for miniaturised RF sensing systems. This paper presents the designs of 8-16 GHz bandwidth log-periodic and aperture-stacked based antenna arrangements. These antennas are examined in the light of the existence of alternatives (e.g., a Vivaldi tapered slot sensor) for operation as broadband sensing elements.
This paper demonstrates the use of modern electromagnetic simulation software to design and develop a selection of three novel transmission line transitions, for operation at mm-wavelengths, and an improvement in the performance of existing transitions. Specifically, our three case studies analyse (i) a microstrip-to-stripline transition, (ii) an inverted microstrip transition, and (iii) a mtripline-to-finline transition. The important concepts are described and the tools available are explained. A number of novel and effective designs are presented as examples.
Although electronically scanned antenna arrays can provide effective mm-wave search radar sensors, their high cost and complexity are leading to the consideration of alternative beam-forming arrangements. Rotman lenses offer a compact, rugged, reliable, alternative solution. This paper considers the design of a microstrip based Rotman lens for high-resolution, frequency-controlled scanning applications. Its implementation in microstrip is attractive because this technology is low-cost, conformal, and lightweight. A sensor designed for operation at 77 GHz is presented and an ~80° azimuthal scan over a 30 GHz bandwidth is demonstrated.
Microstrip patch antenna arrangements offer several well known advantages over other sensors including their low profile (and hence conformal nature), light weight, low-cost in production and compatibility with packaged miniaturised monolithic integrated and optoelectronic integrated circuitry. The major drawback of microstrip patch sensing solutions remains its inherently narrow bandwidth of ~ 2%. Although there has been intensive research to enhance bandwidth based on different strategies e.g., implementing stacked planar parasitic patches and thick substrate configurations and adopting low inductive techniques for feeding microstrip antennas, best approaches for broadening bandwidth for high frequency miniaturised sensor operation (>10 GHz) remain unclear. This paper discusses the development of broadband microstrip sensors for high frequency radiometric sensing operations. It considers the design and fabrication of frequency scanning sensors for Ku (~17 GHz) band operation comprising a microstrip transmission line network of series linked junctions feeding pairs of rectangular patches.
Frequency-scanned slotted-waveguide and microstrip travelling-wave arrays, for detecting mm-wave (10-110GHz)thermal emissions via acousto-optic Bragg cell processors, are being considered in defence and civilian security-related remote sensing applications. The optical processing of RF signals is significant because it promises affordable RF operating staring multi-beam arrangements. Optical processing circumvents the need to assemble expensive miniaturised RF receiver elements in phased array configurations by allowing RF information to be processed using optical-video and CCD techniques. This paper considers the design and fabrication of microstrip travelling-wave based sensors for Ka (~35 GHz) -band operation.
KEYWORDS: Antennas, Lens design, Sensors, Radar, Signal attenuation, Signal to noise ratio, Control systems, Microwave radiation, Adaptive control, Interference (communication)
The 77 GHz band has been reserved for intelligent cruise control in luxury cars and some public transport services in America and the United Kingdom. The Rotman lens offers a cheap and compact means to extend the single beam systems generally used, to fully functional beam staring arrangements.
Rotman lenses have been built for microwave frequencies with limited success. The flexibility of microstrip transmission lines and the advent of fast accurate simulation packages allow practical Rotman lenses to be designed at mm-wavelengths. This paper discusses the limitations of the conventional design approach and predicts the performance of a new Rotman lens designed at 77 GHz.
The application of biotelemetry in the case of a RF controllable microvalve is discussed. Biotelemetry implies the contactless measurement of different electrical and nonelectrical parameters measured on human or animal subjects. A biotelemetry system consists of a transmitter and a receiver with a transmission link in-between. Transmitted information can be a biopotential or a nonelectric value like arterial pressure, respiration, body temperature or pH value. Transducers convert nonelectrical values into electrical signals. Radio frequency (RF) telemetry allows a patient greater mobility. Above all, the application of wireless communication becomes more and more popular in microinvasive surgery. Battery powered implants are most commonly used, but batteries must be changed after a period of time. To avoid this, wireless transcutaneous radio frequency (RF) communication is proposed for the powering and control of medical implants.
The mm-wave (10-110 GHz) frequency band contains the fundamental rotational resonance frequencies of many molecular gases composed of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. The high specificity of the rotational spectra to organic molecules affords mm-wave spectroscopy having potential use in remotely sensing atmospheric pollutants and the detection of airborne chemicals is gaining importance for arms control treaty verification, intelligence collection and environmental monitoring. This paper considers RF receiver systems for remote chemical detection measurements based on mm-wave spectral line emissions. It discusses the design, performance and operation of specific receiving systems for detecting the presence of ammonia in laboratory based transmit-and-receive experiments.
Rotman lenses have the potential to solve many problems associated with high frequency antenna arrays. Offering compact, rugged and reliable means of forming muli-beam, staring array sensing arrangements, these lenses may prove very useful if robust solutions to some important problems are to be found. This paper presents the performance of a Rotman lens design and discusses the challenges associated with the design of these lenses.
KEYWORDS: Antennas, Sensors, Collision avoidance, Lens design, Signal to noise ratio, Radiometry, Telecommunications, Matrices, Staring arrays, Ka band
Rotman lenses offer a compact, rugged and reliable means of forming multi-beam staring array sensing arrangements. The successful implementation of Rotman devices, that operate at mm-wave frequencies, is important to a wide range of applications ranging from covert military operations and collision avoidance in cars and boats in poor weather, to landing aids for aircraft. This paper discusses the development of a Ka-band microstrip-based Rotman lens that is to be used in collision avoidance and other military related roles.
Multi-beam approaches using beam-forming antenna array architectures
have been identified as one solution for overcoming the limited
fields-of-view provided by highly directional mm-wave sensors.
Rotman lenses offer a compact, rugged and reliable alternative to
electronically scanned antenna technologies but architectures that
operate at frequencies > 20 GHz perform poorly at higher frequencies
on account of greater losses and dispersion. This paper outlines the
design process for providing Rotman-based lenses, examining various
levels of simulation that are needed for designs that function at K
and W-band frequencies. The impact of using mictrostrip structures
is demonstrated.
The potential of a passive integrated millimeter-wave radiometer is being investigated as a compact, low cost, all-weather complement or even alternative to current radar detection and imagin systems. A major advantage of millimeter-waves over other radio frequencies, is the ability to propagate through smoke, fog and cloud, at certain 'window' frequencies.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.