Wirelessly networked digital phased array design and analysis of A 2.4 GHZ demonstrator

Abstract

The wirelessly networked opportunistic digital array radar (WNODAR) system combines opportunistic phased array and aperstructure concepts. The array elements contain standâ alone transmitâ receive (T/R) modules with no hardwire connections other than prime power and are wirelessly networked to a central controller and processor unit. A fullâ scale WNODAR operating in the VHF/UHF frequency bands (300 MHz) exhibits many favorable properties, which make the system suitable for ballistic missile defense (BMD) early warning radar (EWR) applications. In order to validate the WNODAR concepts, demonstration arrays consisting of T/R modules realized using field programmable gate array (FPGA) technology are developed. The demonstration units are frequency scaled from the projected VHF/UHF frequency range to S-band (2.4 GHz) to make use of the abundance of commercial off the shelf (COTS) wireless communication components. This research primarily relates to the development of a demonstration T/R module and the evaluation and characterization of component devices. Design, analysis and simulation of an eightâ element demonstration array using MATLAB and CST Microwave Studio were conducted to examine expected array beam patterns.