2019 IEEE International Symposium on Phased Array Systems and Technology

October 18, 2019 – 8 a.m. – 12 noon

1. Instructor: 
2.  Dr. Eli Brookner, Raytheon (ret.)
3.  

Abstract: This tutorial covers recent developments in phased arrays updated to 2018. It provides a concise, introductory level survey of the fundamentals without dwelling on extensive mathematical derivations or abstruse theory. Instead a physical understanding is given. Covered in easy terms are: sidelobe cancellation (SLC), Cognitive Adaptive Array Processing (CAAP) which provides full adaptive array processing without suffering its computation complexity. 

This course is intended for the engineer or scientist not familiar with phased-array antennas as well as the antenna specialist who wants to learn about other aspects of phased-array antenna systems as well as get the latest developments in array systems, such as: MIMO, metamaterial arrays, Extreme MMIC arrays, stealthing and cloaking, Cognitive Adaptivity. The emphasis will be on the system aspects of phased-arrays.

BASICS: Of Passive Electronic Scanned Arrays (ESAs) and Active Electronic Scanned Arrays (AESAs): Phase Steering, Time Delay Steering, Subarraying, Array Weighting, Monopulse, Duplexing, Array Thinning, Embedded Element, Array Weighting, Array Factor, Triangular vs Square Lattice, Tour of COBRA DANE ESA and PAVE PAWS AESA (both 6 stories high) via color slides. Limited and hemispherical scan phased arrays.

RECENT AESA DEVELOPMENTS: Patriot upgrade to 2016 state-of-the-art AESA; S-band AMDR AESA radar provides 30X sensitivity of SPY-1D(V). LOW COST PACKAGING: AESAs using commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and packaging. EXTREME MMIC: Whole 256 element phased array on single chip at 60 GHz. 5G Phased arrays. DIGITAL BEAM FORMING (DBF): Reduces search power and time by almost a factor of two; Makes cognitive radars realizable; enables ultra low antenna sidelobes; MOORE’S LAW: Potential future continuation of Moore’s Law via Spintronics, Memristors, Graphene,  Quantum Computing. VERY LOW COST RADARS: for cars, UAVs, watch cell phones. WIDEBAND LOW PROFILE ANTENNA: 20:1 bandwidth. Small antennas now possible: < lambda/50.

METAMATERIALS: low cost 2-D ESAs for satellite internet communications (at 10-15 GHz); for cell towers, for cars and UAV radars; Stealthing by absorption and by cloaking; wideband fractal metamaterials; Army 250-505 MHZ conformal antenna to replace tall whip antennas.

COGNITIVE ADAPTIVE ARRAY PROCESSING (CAAP): Applied to jammers. Tremendous advantages detailed. Space-Time Adaptive Array (STAP) explained and related to the displaced phase center antenna (DPCA).

QUANTUM RADAR: Has potential to defeat stealth targets. LOW COST PRINTED MICROWAVE ELECTRONICS: 1.6 GHz printed diodes achieved.  ELECTRICAL AND OPTICAL SIGNALS ON SAME CHIP: Allows data transfer at speed of light.  BIODEGRADABLE ARRAYS: Embedded under skin for detecting cancer or low glucose.

New MIMO (MULTIPLE INPUT MULTIPLE OUTPUT) Radar: Explained in simple physical terms instead of with heavy math. Covered are performance, waveforms, signal processing load, ability to handle jamming, performance re conventional radars.  Potential applications: OTH, car radars, to combining existing radars to increased performance.

Course Text Book: “Practical Phased Array Antenna Systems”, Dr. Eli Brookner, Editor, Artech House, 1991, Hardcover, 258 pages, List Price $179. Covers array fundamentals:  phase and time-delay steering; grating lobes for 1- and 2-dimensional arrays; effects of errors and failures on gain, sidelobes and angle accuracy; array weighting, thinning, blindness, mutual coupling, elements, phase-shifters and feeds; limited field of view (LFOV) arrays; SPY-1; example design. The course book array basics do not change with time. Tutorial and its notes update attendees to 2019 state-of-the-art technology.