platforms. As threats evolve, a method to evaluate aircraft/weapon effectiveness against these changing threats is needed. Current practice is to construct/acquire a specific emitter to test against. However, this process can have a long lead time and can be expensive. These facts can limit the amount of emitters that are built and where they are located. In addition, this also makes it difficult to prosecute against to assess end-game performance. Due to the high cost (from $200K to $40M) of these threats, limited numbers are built therefore the number of ranges where the emitters can be found is also reduced. This potentially causes delays in testing due to range availability. In addition, due to the limited availability of these devices and their cost, programs are unable to perform live fire events on these targets, making end-game assessments very difficult.

 

The desire is to utilize a high-power wide-band transmitter with a phased array antenna to replicate these radar systems. The transmitter should allow for multiple types of waveforms at various frequencies to be passed through the system to replicate the various radar systems. The transmitter should be able to output in multiple frequency bands ranging from 100 MHz-30 GHz. A 50-ohm input impedance with less than 30 dBm input power is desired. The unit should be capable of transmitting a pulse width of up to 500 microseconds. In addition, it will need a 100% high duty cycle (Continuous Wave (CW) capability) while maintaining a capability of pulsed outputs (10-15%). The system should be able to provide -80 dBm at 100 nm as measured with an isotropic antenna in a pulsed configuration and be able to produce -90 dBm at 100 nm in a CW mode. The system should have a 10º beam width in both the horizontal and vertical directions. The system should be able to provide vertical linear polarization. It also needs to be ruggedized to operate in both salt water environments and high temperature/high dust areas, ASTMG-185 Appendix A4 (SO2 Spray) and MIL-STD-810. Programmable presets with remote Ethernet interface are required to support preset, standby and operate modes. The system should be characterized for the following: power output, noise figure, frequency stability, rise/fall time, duty cycle, gain, harmonics, and 3rd order intercept point prior. It should fit into a 3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft area and be portable in such a way that it can be put on a trailer for use on both paved and dirt roads.

 

PHASE I: Design and demonstrate the feasibility of a high-power wide-band transmitter utilizing an appropriate antenna. Perform preliminary analysis to determine signal degradation as a function of frequency versus distance. Determine power and cooling requirements. The Phase I effort will include prototype plans to be developed under Phase II.

 

PHASE II: Refine the design of the high-power wide-band transmitter to an appropriate antenna. Build the prototype system and its associated components to fit into a 3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft area. The system should be portable so that it can move on a trailer and can be moved on both paved and dirt roads. Ensure that the system is characterized for power output, noise figure, frequency stability, rise/fall time, duty cycle, gain, harmonics, and 3rd order intercept point.

 

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Finalize the design to utilize a phased array antenna with associated beam steering computer. Construct the finalized system and characterize it in a similar manner as in Phase II. Develop cost and supportability documentation for the system.

 

The resulting technology has potential application in the Air Traffic Control arena, providing the capability to produce radars or switch frequencies to identify potential objects.

 

REFERENCES:

1.   Kesari, V. & Basu, B. N. “High Power Microwave Tubes: Basics and Trends.” Morgan & Claypool Publishers: San Rafael, California, 2018. https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/12378680

 

2.   Skolnik, M. “Radar Handbook.” McGraw-Hill: New York, 2008. http://www.geo.uzh.ch/microsite/rsl- documents/research/SARlab/GMTILiterature/PDF/Skolnik90.pdf

 

3.   “MIL-STD-810G, Department of Defense Test Method Standard: Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests (31 Oct 2008). http://everyspec.com/MIL-STD/MIL-STD-0800-0899/MIL-STD-810G_12306/

 

4.   “ASTM G185, Appendix A4, Standard Practice for Evaluating and Qualifying Oil Field and Refinery Corrosion Inhibitors Using the Rotating Cylinder Electrode.” ASTM International, 2016.