MMW system trade-offs

A brief review is given of the current state of knowledge of millimeter-wave atmospheric propagation and clutter characteristics and the detection performance of two air-to-ground fire-control systems evaluated in terms of their ability to detect a 40-m² target in the presence of atmospheric attenuation and three types of clutter. Generally, the 35-GHz system considered performed better in terms of signal-to-noise ratio performance and in signal-to-clutter ratio performance for light clutter. In heavy clutter, the 95-GHz system performed significantly better than the 35-GHz system. For 300-m altitude with refrozen snow clutter background, neither system developed a large enough signal-to-clutter radio to detect the target reliably     

DOA estimation by exploiting the amplitude modulation induced by antenna scanning

We propose a beamsplitting-like approach to estimate the directions of arrival (DOA) of multiple radar targets present in the mainlobe of a rotating antenna. The proposed method is based on the maximum likelihood (ML) technique and it avoids the need for a difference channel by exploiting knowledge of the antenna main beam pattern. Two scenarios are considered: multiple targets with unknown deterministic complex amplitudes and multiple targets with Gaussian distributed random complex amplitudes. The performance of the proposed estimator is investigated through Monte Carlo simulation and it is compared with the Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB).     

MMW radar scattering statistics of terrain at near grazingincidence

The statistical behavior of clutter observed near grazing incidence and at 95 GHz is investigated for the specific cases of bare ground, snow cover, and for a heterogeneous scene. The bare ground constitutes a homogeneous target under homogeneous conditions and the magnitude of the amplitude is Rayleigh distributed. While the snow cover is a homogeneous target, the conditions under which it was observed are heterogeneous, and the Bayes rule is employed to describe its clutter distribution. The Bayes rule integrates variations due to signal fading with the underlying variations in the backscattering coefficient associated with the heterogeneity. The heterogeneous scene is also successfully described with the Bayes rule     

Visual analysis in a deployable antenna experiment [satellite antenna]

To establish a large deployable antenna, monitoring and collimation are essential for reliable and precise deployment. We have developed an analysis method to detect shifts in several images, in which the combination of cross-correlations between images and approximations at subpixel precision enables us to detect shifts in images with a precision of up to 0.01 pixels. The LDREX mission; which was a preliminary experiment for a large deployable antenna, ETS-VIII, was performed in December 2000. During this experiment, anomalies occurred in the antenna, and deployment was aborted. To understand the cause of the anomalies, we used our visual analysis method. Using this analysis, we detected vibrating features in the antenna, which were useful for explaining the anomalies. We outline our visual analysis method and discuss its application in monitoring the deployable antenna.     

毫米波制导导弹系统误差及捕获概率研究

分析了毫米波制导导弹系统误差源及其分布特性,该误差直接决定所需导引头动态视场的大小;对导引头动态视场的影响因素进行了分析,并计算了导引头在不同条件下的动态视场,基于此计算了导引头捕获概率。研究结果可以直接应用于毫米波制导导弹的工程研制,并且可以对同类的自寻的导弹工程研制起借鉴作用。     

WiMAX dynamnic beamforming antenna

This presents our design and development of an 8-channel adaptive beaniforming antenna for new developments in radio technology: the emergence of chip-based components implementing the recently completed IEEE 802.16d-2004 (WiMAX) radio standard [1-4]. WiMAX offers the potential of long-range (up to 50 miles) and high bandwidth (up to 50 Mb~s) radio links. Although the new WiMAX standard offers the potential for using smart, adaptive antennas, this functionality has not been implemented. Our design will serve as a common platform for testing adaptive array algorithms including direction of arrival (DOA) estimation, beamforming, and adaptive tracking, as well as complete wireless communication with a WiMAX Radio. Heavy emphasis will be placed on ease of implementation in a multi-channel / multi-user environment. In the future, we hope to expand this interface to support dynamic radio channel selection via direct interaction with radio hardware or implementation of a cognitive radio system.     

Wideband array antenna concept

This presents a unique wideband array concept that includes a wideband array aperture incorporating radiating elements of different sizes and inter-element spacings. The array is a fully-filled aperture consisting of a core region surrounded by several layers of radiating elements which increase in size. By proper selection of the core region and the number of layers, one can form a beam with specified beamwidth over a five to one frequency range. The proposed concept considerably reduces the cost and complexity by decreasing the effective number of radiating elements and the corresponding receive or transmit modules. Numerical simulation results, ignoring the mutual coupling effects, are presented for array patterns at several frequencies to prove the concept. A possible beamforming concept is also included. Additional work is planned to prove the viability of the concept by taking the mutual coupling into account.     

Effectiveness of MMW aerosols in defeating a battlefieldsurveillance radar: field demonstration preliminary results

The US Army ERDEC is developing advanced aerosol systems to combat threat surveillance, fire control, and seeker systems operating in the visible, infrared, and millimeter wave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. One such system is the M56 multispectral smoke generator, which presently operates in the visible and infrared portions of the spectrum; a millimeter wave (MMW) Module is in development to extend the M56 spectral range. This paper documents preliminary results of a field demonstration test of the M56 MMW Module. An MMW instrumentation radar was modified to simulate the scan pattern and radar parameters of a tactical battlefield surveillance radar system. A test grid was populated with both stationary and moving tactical targets, and the radar scanned the grid to simulate a surveillance radar in operation. Once a realistic tactical engagement scenario was developed, MMW aerosols were deployed to demonstrate the impact such aerosols could have on radar detection and classification performance     

Active transmitting phased antenna arrays

The benefits of using transmitting phased array antennas for radar systems are examined. Accurate performance prediction for the transmitting phased array antennas requires theories describing both the antenna system and the power generation devices. These theories were created and applied to the design and performance evaluation of the Russian 3-D mobile solid-state surveillance radar 67N6E (GAMMA-DE), a PAA designed for long-range air defense.     

Anechoic chamber wideband antenna measurements

The method is considered which consists of measurements of output antenna signals on a number of frequencies and Fourier transformation of data into time domain for separation of own antenna field and interference fields. The results of testing at serial facility for antenna measurements in an anechoic chamber are presented as for diagnosis of scattered fields, as for improvement of accuracy of antenna characteristics evaluation.     

Mechanism for assembling antenna in space

The development of large and precise space antennas is one of the most important topics in constructing space infrastructures. We evaluated an approach to assembling large and accurate space antennas which uses space robots. The assembly mechanism was launched together with the ETS-VII, the first telerobotic satellite from Japan, and its performance, including fully automatic assembling, was verified. The assembling-type antenna and the results of antenna assembly experiments are discussed     

Reflector antenna analysis by simple photography

The performance of a conventional microwave parabolic dish reflector can be estimated from a 35 mm photo, which is taken when the dish is illuminated by a small light bulb mounted at its feed point. Both random surface errors, structural deformations and feed positioning problems can be analyzed. If only go/no go-information is needed, no optical interferometry is necessary     

Small Ku-band phased array antenna system

A four-element phased array antenna prototype with varactor tuning has been constructed. The design employs aperture-fed quarter-wave patch elements and loaded-line phase shifters, having a phase adjustment range of about 50/spl deg/, which enables beam steering up to 13/spl deg/ from the array boresight. The system is suitable as a building block for larger arrays and shows as such a maximum gain of 7.7 dBi and an impedance bandwidth of 1 GHz. The sidelobe level is better than -13 dB. Problems encountered include parasitic resonances which disturb matching, and partially deteriorate the radiation pattern. Additionally, mechanical manufacturing tolerances of the microstrip boards were not always adequate, whereby a 6% shift in the center frequency, some impedance errors, and phasing inaccuracies were observed.     

An experimental S-band digital beamforming antenna

This paper describes a 12 channel S-band digital beamforming antenna aimed at radar applications. It has a 2.8-3.3 GHz agile band and the signal is sampled at IF. The design of antenna elements, calibration network, receiver modules and signal processing ASIC are discussed. Calibration procedures and experimental results, showing very good performance, are also presented. The purpose of this work is to evaluate design parameters, requirements and limitations     

Joint STARS phased array radar antenna

The Joint STARS phased array radar system is capable of performing long range airborne surveillance and was used during the Persian Gulf war on two E8-A aircraft to fly many around-the-clock missions to monitor the Kuwait and Iraq battlefield from a safe distance behind the front lines. This paper is a follow-on to previous publications on the subject of the Joint STARS antenna and deals mainly with mission performance and technical aspects not previously covered. Radar data of troop movements and armament installations are presented, a brief review of the antenna design is given, followed by technical discussions concerning the three-port interferometry, gain and sidelobe design approach, cost control, range test implementation and future improvements     

Dielectric lens antenna with scan reflector

A dielectric lens antenna with a scanning reflector that is coaxial to the lens is described, and its aberrations are analyzed. The result shows that aberrations of the system will deteriorate severely when a planar reflector is used, but the aberrations can be significantly reduced when a corrected phase reflector is used.     

Development of B-1 antenna measurement test bed

The establishment of a B-1 test bed is chronicled from identification of the requirement to the initial measurements program. Disassembly, modification, and reassembly of the airframe are covered. Future modifications and measurements are previewed. The facilities at which the B-1 test bed is located are briefly discussed     

Ship-mounted satellite tracking antenna with fuzzy logic control

A robust satellite tracking antenna is designed to cope with the sensor imprecision and the highly noisy sea environment. Fuzzy logic is utilized for the controller imprecision and the highly noisy sea environment. Fuzzy logic is utilized for the controller design as well as inaccurate data interpretation. The fuzzy-rule based controller eliminates the need to model the nonlinear and noisy ship-mounted antenna system. With Global Positioning System and the tracking controller the antenna can be brought to a neighborhood of the desired orientation. Spiral search with signal power feedback can then servo the antenna to the true orientation. Computer simulations and antenna experiments verify our design is indeed robust and effective