Ultra-wideband low-cost phased-array radars

Abstract

Emerging radar applications require phased arrays that can operate over wide bandwidths to support multiband/multifunction operation. In response to that need, this paper presents a cost-effective implementation for extremely wide-band phased-array radars. Two designs are demonstrated, one operating from 3 to 12 GHz and the other operating from 8 to 20 GHz. These designs incorporate ultra-wideband antipodal tapered slot antennas, a novel cross-polarization suppressed array architecture, piezoelectric true-time-delay phase shifters, and broad-band high-power monolithic amplifiers. The resulting systems provide target detection and beam steering over the complete operating bandwidths. These results exceed the state-of-the-art for phased-array radars in terms of bandwidth and cost and should have direct applications in the development of ultra-wideband and multifunction radar systems.