Radar 2009 A - 17 Transmitters and Receivers

Radar Systems Engineering
Lecture 17
Transmitters & Receivers
Dr. Robert M. ODonnell

IEEE New Hampshire Section
Guest Lecturer

Radar Systems Course 1
XMTR & RCVR 1/1/2010 IEEE AES Society
Block Diagram of Radar System
Transmitter
Power Waveform
Propagation Amplifier Generation
Medium
Target
Radar T/R
Cross Switch This lecture will cover all of the
Section subsystems in the red dashed box
Antenna
Signal Processor Computer
A/D Pulse Clutter Rejection

Receiver
Converter Compression (Doppler Filtering)
User Displays and Radar Control
General Purpose Computer
Parameter
Tracking Thresholding Detection
Estimation
Data
Recording
Photo Image
Courtesy of US Air Force

Radar Range Equation Revisited
Parameters Affected by Transmitter/Receiver
Radar range equation for search (S/N = signal to noise

ratio)
Pav A e t s
S/N = Pav = average power
4 R 4 k Ts L e = antenna area
ts = scan time for
Pav = average power
= radar cross section
S/N of target can be enhanced by = solid angle searched
Higher transmitted power Pav R = target range
Ts = system temperature
Lower system losses L L = system loss
Minimize system temperature Ts
The design of radar transmitter/receiver affects these

three parameters directly
Courtesy of MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Used with Permission

Outline
Transmitters
Receivers and Waveform Generators
Other Transmitter / Receiver Subsystems
Radar Receiver-Transmitter Architectures
Summary

Outline
Transmitters
Introduction
Block Diagram
High Power Tube Amplifiers
Klystron
Traveling Wave Tube
Crossed Field Amplifier
Magnetron
Solid State RF Power Amplifiers
T/R Modules
Summary

Introduction
Ideal Transmitter
Provides sufficient energy to detect the target
Easily modulated to produce desired waveforms
Generate stable noise free signal for good clutter rejection
Provide needed tunable bandwidth
High efficiency
High reliability
Easily maintainable
Long life
Small and light weight for the intended application
Affordable
Obviously compromise is necessary !

Simplified Radar Transmitter/Receiver
System Block Diagram
Low Power Transmit Section High Power Transmit Sections
(~100mw to ~1W) (~100 W to ~MW)
Waveform
Generator HPA Filter Duplexer
Low Power Receive Sections

(~ w to ~mW)
To
Signal A/D
Receiver LNA Filter
Processor Coverters
Radar transmitter and receiver can be divided into two major

subsystems:
Low power transmit and receive sections
Radar waveform generator and receiver
HPA = High Power Amplifier
High power transmitter sections LNA = Low Noise Amplifier

Block Diagram of High Power Tube
Transmitter
High Voltage Pulse Power
Section Modulator Amplifier
High DC Voltage, High Power Input
High Power
High Voltage Capacitor High Voltage
High Voltage SCR Amplifier Tube
Power Supply Bank and Pulse
Switch Gear Controller and High
& Rectifier Regulator Modulator
Solenoid Power
RF
Primary Console & Output
Transmitter Crowbar
Power
Protection Unit
Source System
Transmitter Transmitter Transmitter

Control Functions Gating /Timing Control Section
Transmitter Transmitter RF IPA
Transmitter Fault
Control Protection & Microwave
Console Logic Unit
System System Network
Transmitter System Timing Transmitter RF Input

and and Inputs
System Inputs Transmitter Inputs IPA=Intermediate Power Amplifier
Outline
Introduction
Transmitters
Introduction
Block Diagram
Klystron
Traveling Wave Tube
Magnetron
T/R Modules
Summary

Klystron High Power Amplifier
RF Cavities Interaction Gaps
Three Cavity Klystron
Electron Beam
Cathode
Heater Collector
Modulating
Anode Anode
Drift
Space RF
RF
In Out
Electron Gun RF Section Collector
First developed in early 1950s

Bandwidth as great as 12%
RF conversion efficiency 35 - 50%
Coherent- pulse to pulse Adapted from Skolnik
Reference 1

Klystron How It Works
RF Cavities
Electron Beam
Collector
Electron Gun
Adapted from Skolnik
RF In RF Out Reference 1
Electron gun generates electron beam (X rays produced/shielding

required)
RF section composed of several resonators (resonant cavities)
RF is coupled in by waveguide through slot in cavity or coax
RF input is used to modulate the electron stream into bunches
Resonant frequency of cavity is identical to RF input frequency
causing cavity to oscillate
Oscillations in electric field modulate speed of electron beam into
bunches
Resonant cavity at output extracts the RF power from the density
modulated beam and delivers power to output transmission line
Example S-Band Klystron
VA-87F / VKS-8287
Air Surveillance / Weather Radar
6 cavity, S Band
Tunable over 2.7 to 2.9 GHz
Peak Power up to 2.0 MW
Ave Power up to 3 kW
Gain 50 dB Efficiency 45 %
Bandwidth 30 MHz typ.
Pulse Duration up to 7.0 sec
Courtesy of CPI. Used with permission.

MIT/LL Millstone Hill Radar
Klystron Tubes (Vacuum Devices)
Output device Klystrons (2)

Center Frequency 1295 MHz
Bandwidth 8 MHz
Peak Power 3 MW
Average Power 120 kW
Pulse Width 1 ms
Beam Width 0.6o
Antenna Diameter 84 ft
Originally
Originally designed
designed in
in early
early 1960s
1960s

How Big are High Power Klystron Tubes ?
Millstone Hill Radar Transmitter Room
Varian
Varian X780 X780 Klystron
Klystron Courtesy of MIT Lincoln Laboratory
$400,000/tube
$400,000/tube
Waveguide output 77 ftft (height)
(height) xx 1ft
1ft (diameter)
(diameter)
600
600 lbs lbs
3%
3% duty cycle
duty cycle
42 dB
42 dB gaingain Waveguide Harmonic Filter
600W
600W peak peak input
input drive
drive level
level
Flex Waveguide Output flanges
200
Spare Tube antenna
waveguide
Vacuum Pump
Water Coolant
Hoses, 70 Gal/min Power Amplifier Room 1 kW Peak Solid State Driver Amp.

Traveling Wave Tube
Cathode
Attenuation
Gun Anode
Collector
Heater
Helix Interaction
Electron Region
Beam RF In RF Out

Capable of wide bandwidth at high power Reference 1
Expensive
Similar to Klystron, linear beam tubes
Interaction between RF field and electron beam over length
of tube
RF wave mixes with electron beam and transfers DC
energy from electron beam to increase energy of RF
wave, causing wave to be amplified
Photograph of Traveling Wave Tubes
Another Type of Tube Amplifiers
S Band X Band
Center Freq : 10.0 GHz
VTS-5753 VTX-5681C
Center Freq : 3.3 GHz Bandwidth : 1 GHz
COUPLED CAVITY COUPLED CAVITY
Bandwidth : 400 MHz Peak Power : 100 kW
TWT TWT
Peak Power : 160 kW Duty Cycle : 35 %
Duty Cycle : 8 % Gain : 50 dB
Gain : 43 dB
~ 8 ft

S-Band Transmitter Used with Permission

Crossed Field Amplifier (CFA)
Simplified
Representation Cathode
Capable of :
of CFA
High coherent power
Good efficiency
Drift
Region Wide bandwidth
Relatively low gain (10 dB)
Anode
and
Generally noisier and less
Slow-wave stable
Circuit
RF RF
In Control Out
Electrode
Resembles magnetron and employs crossed electric and
magnetic fields
Electrons emitted from cylindrical cathode
Under action of crossed electromagnetic fields, electrons form
rotating bunches
Bunches of electrons drift in phase with RF signal and transfer their
DC energy to the RF wave to produce amplification
CPI SFD 233G
X-Band (9.0 to 9.5 GHZ)
Peak Output Power 900 kW
Duty Cycle .1%
Pulsewidth 0.83 sec
Liquid cooled

Comparison of Different Types of
High Power Amplifier Tubes
Klystron Traveling Wave Tube Crossed Field Amplifier
Voltage 1 MW requires 90kV 1 MW requires 90kV 1 MW requires 40kV

Gain 30 - 70 dB 30 - 70 dB 8 - 30 dB
Bandwidth 1-8% 10 - 35 % 10 - 15 %
X-Rays Severe, but lead is reliable Severe, but lead is reliable Not a Problem
Efficiency
Basic 15 - 30 % 15 - 30 % 35 - 45 %
With Depressed 40 - 60 % 40 - 60 % NA
Collectors
Ion Pump Required with Large Tubes Required with Large Tubes Self Pumping
Weight Higher Higher Lower
Size Larger Larger Smaller
Cost Medium Higher Medium
Spurious Noise - dB 90 - dB 90 - dB 55 to 70
Usable Dynamic Range 40-80 dB 40-80 dB a few dB

Coaxial Cavity Magnetron
Window Output
Waveguide
Power Oscillator not an power amplifier
Output
Coaxial Coupling
Cavity Slot
Poor noise and stability characteristics
Restricted use for MTI
Electric Field
Lines Coupling
Average power is limited (TM001 Mode) Slots
1 - 2 kilowatts Cathode
Good for short-medium range radars
Vanes
Not coherent pulse to pulse
Coaxial Cavity Magnetron
Well suited for civil marine radars Anode
Cylinder
Magnetron Operation
Outer Coaxial Conductor
Electric and magnetic field are perpendicular
Electrons emitted from cathode travel around circular path in bunches
Electrons interact with e-m fields and give up their DC energy to the
RF field
RF energy is output with coupling slot Reference 3

Coaxial Magnetrons
X-Band (9.275 to 9.325 GHZ) S-Band (2.7 to 2.9 GHZ)
Model SFD 303B Model VMS 1143B
Peak Output Power 1 MW Peak Output Power 3 MW

Duty Cycle .1% Duty Cycle .08%
Pulsewidth 3.5 sec Pulsewidth 2.0 sec
Liquid cooled Liquid cooled
Fixed frequency Mechanically tunable
Other Types of High Power Amplifiers
Hybrid Klystrons
Twystron, Extended interaction klystron, and Clustered cavity
klystron
Multiple cavities replace one or more of the resonant cavities
Bandwidths ~15 to 20%
Have been used in low power millimeter wave transmitters
Gyrotrons
Require very high magnetic fields
Yield very high power in millimeter region
Slight use in fielded radar systems

Outline
Introduction
Transmitters
Block Diagram
Klystron
Traveling Wave Tube
Magnetron
T/R Modules
Summary

Solid State Power Transistors
Available Commercial Devices
Bipolar PH3135-90S Pulsed Power Transistor UF28150J MOSFET Power Transistor

3.1-3.5 GHz, 90 W 100-500 MHz, 150 W
Solid state power transistors are

basic building blocks of solid state
amplifiers
Advantages of solid state power
amplifiers
Small footprint
Low profile
High reliability
PHA2731-190M Pulsed Power Amplifier Module
190 Watts 2.7 - 3.1 GHz, 200 us Pulse, 10% Duty Courtesy of MA/COM Technology Solutions
Used with permission
Solid state power generation device

Transistor amplifier (silicon bipolar and gallium arsenide)
Inherently low power and low gain
Operates with low voltages and has high reliability
To increase output power, transistors are operated in
parallel with more than 1 stage
A module might consist of 8 transistors
Four in parallel as the final stage, followed by
Two in parallel,as the second stage, followed by
Two in series, as the driver stages
Solid state power devices cannot operate at high peak
power
Fifty watt average power transistor cannot operate at much
more than 200 watts of peak power without overheating
Pulse compression needed for reasonable range resolution

Uses of Solid State Amplifiers in Radar
Transmitter for low power application

High power transmitter
A large number of microwave transistors are combined with
microwave circuitry
Many modules distributed on a mechanically steered planar
array
A 3 D radar
A module at each of the many elements of an electronically
scanned phased array
Called an active aperture

Solid State Radar Examples - PAVE PAWS
PAVE PAWS
First all solid state active aperture electronically steered phased
array radar
UHF Band , detection and warning of sea launched missile attack
1792 active transceiver T / R modules, 340 w of peak power each
Courtesy of Raytheon

Solid State Radar Examples - TPS-59
Air surveillance radar developed for
TPS-59 the US Marine Corps
Rotating planar L-Band array
30 ft by 15 ft
Each transmitter module has 10 of 100
watt amplifier units consisting of two
55 watt silicon bipolar transistors
(7 watts of gain) driven by a smaller
25 watt device
Each transmitter module feeds one of
54 rows
Courtesy of Lockheed Martin

Solid State Radar Examples - RAMP
Radar Modernization Project (RAMP)

L-Band air traffic control surveillance radar developed for Canada
by Raytheon Canada
Solid state transmitter with peak power of 28 kW (7% duty cycle)
14 modules, each consists of 42 - 100 watt peak power silicon
bipolar transistors in 2-8-32 configuration
RF amplifier modules combined in pairs-- > 7 of these combined -- > 1
transmitter
Only 6 needed to meet sensitivity requirement
RAMP Radar Transmitter Cabinet Solid State Transmitter Module

Example of Solid State Transmitter
Radar Surveillance Technology Experimental Radar (RSTER)
Driver Amp Module
Power Amp Module
14
14 channels
channels with
with 140
140 kW
kW total
total
peak power
peak power
88kW
kW average
averagepower
power
Each
Each channel
channel is
is supplied
supplied by
by aa
power
power amplifier
amplifier module
module
10
10kW
kW peak
peakpower
power
Average Power Output Versus
Frequency
Tube Amplifiers versus Solid State Amplifiers
106
Average Power (Watts)
Tube Amplifier Dominate

104
Region of Competition
102
Solid State Amplifiers Dominate

1
10-2
.1 .3 1 3 10 30 100 300 1000
Frequency (GHz)
Types of High Power Amplifiers
Vacuum tube amplifiers and solid state amplifiers
Vacuum Tube Solid State

Amplifiers Amplifiers
High Low
Output Power
(10 kW to 1 MW) (10s to 100s W)
High Low
Cost per Unit
($10s K to $300 K) ($100s )
Cost per Watt $1 3 Varied
Size Bulky and heavy Small foot print
Dish antenna Active array

Applications
Passive array Digital array
Methods of Power Amplification
Tube amplifiers
Krystrons
Travelling wave tubes
CFAs
Solid State amplifiers

Solid state power transistors
Issues to be traded off in choice of high power amplifier

Average power output at desired operating frequency
Amplifier efficiency
Instantaneous and tunable bandwidth
Duty cycle
Gain
Reliability
Cost

Outline
Introduction
Transmitters
Summary

Radar Transmitter/Receiver Timeline
Pulse Width
High Power Pulse
Receive Window A/D Samples

Receiver
Radar PRI
Duplexer Switch Receive Transmit Receive

Transmit
Sensitive radar receiver must be isolated from the powerful radar

transmitter
Transmitted power typically 10 kW 1 MW
PRI = Pulse Repetition Interval
Receiver signal power in 10s W 1 mW
Isolation provided by duplexer switching
Radar Receiver
Purpose is to extract the weak radar echo signal from the

antenna and to amplify it
Pass to signal processor for Doppler / pulse compression
processing
Employs matched filter to maximize peak signal to mean
noise
Target presence decision made by computer
Most are superhetrodyne receivers
RF input to IF
Easier to obtain matched filter shape, bandwidth gain, and
stability
First stage of front end of receiver is a low noise amplifier
Usually a transistor
Sensitivity Time Control (STC) is usually in the receiver

Shared Functionality in Waveform
Generation and Receiver
Waveform Generation
Waveform Up To
Amplifier Filter
Generator Converter Antenna
Local
Oscillator
A/D Down From

Amplifier Filter
Conversion Converter Antenna
Receiver
Waveform generator and receiver share several similar

features
Frequency conversion, and amplification, and filtering

Radar Frequency Conversion Concepts
Waveform Generation
Frequency Upconversion Upconverter shifts the
Baseband to S Band waveform frequency to a
higher frequency
Waveform Up S Band Reason:
0.1 GHz Converter 3.0 GHz Waveform generation
less costly at lower a
frequency
Local Oscillator
2.9 GHz
Receiver
Frequency Downconversion Downconverter shifts the
S Band to Baseband receive frequency to a
lower frequency
S Band Down 0.1 GHz Reason:
3.0 GHz Converter To A/D High dynamic range of
A/D converter is easier to
achieve at lower
Local Oscillator frequency
2.9 GHz

Simplified Block Diagram of
Waveform Generation and Receiver
Waveform Generator Subsystem
3.O GHz
0.1 GHz
S-Band
Up Waveform
Duplexer HPA Filter Filter Amp
Converter Generator
Antenna 2.9 GHz
Local
Oscillator Digital
Radar
Returns
2.9 GHz
Down A/D
Filter LNA Amp Filter
Converter Converter
3.O GHz 0.1 GHz
S-Band
Receiver Subsystem
Only one stage of conversion is illustrated
Usually, multiple stages of frequency conversion,
filtering, and amplification are utilized HPA = High Power Amplifier
LNA = Low Noise Amplifier
Amp = Amplifier
Block Diagram of Radar Receiver
Mixer
Waveform Waveform Transmitter
Information Generator fIF fRF
Modulated Modulated
Oscillator Group
Reference Oscillator
fLO = fRF - fIF
Duplexer
COHO STALO
Receiver
I - 90 fIF fRF Limiter

Baseband Modulated Modulated
A/D
To
Signal Q Low-Noise
Baseband Amplifier Low-Noise
Processor Amplifier
A/D
Components from the Antenna to the First Amplifier are the most
Important in Determining the Noise Level of a Radar Measurement

Outline
Introduction
Transmitters
Summary

Other Transmitter Subsystems /
Components
Duplexers
Other Transmitter Subsystems

Pulse Modulators
Crowbar
Waveguide and Transmission Lines
Other Stuff

How a Duplexer Works
Transmitter On Transmitter Off
Transmitter Duplexer Transmitter X Duplexer
X
Limiter /
Receiver Limiter /
Switch Receiver
Switch
Transmitter and Receiver and antenna

antenna connected connected with low loss
with low loss Limiter/ receiver protector is
Receiver protected employed for additional
while transmitter is protection against strong
transmitting RF interference or transmitter
feed through

Duplexer
A fast acting switching device which allows a pulse radar to

time share a single antenna with a receiver and a transmitter
On transmission, the duplexer protects receiver from damage
or burnout
On reception, channels the receive echo to the receiver and
not to the transmitter
Must be done quickly, in microseconds or nanoseconds
For high power radars, the duplexer is T/R switch (a gas

discharge device)
High power pulse from transmitter causes gas discharge
device to break down and short circuit the receiver to protect
it from damage
On receive, the RF circuitry of the duplexer directs the echo
signal to the receiver rather than the transmitter
Need 60 - 70 dB of Isolation with negligible loss
e.g. transmitter power ( ~megawatt); receiver signal (~1 watt)

Example - Balanced Duplexer
Dummy
Transmit Condition
Antenna Load
Dual T/R
Tubes
Receiver
Transmitter Protector
Short-Slot Hybrid Junctions
The duplexer cannot always do the entire job of protecting the

receiver
Diode or ferrite limiters are used to additionally protect the
receiver
Also to protect receiver from radiation from other radars that do
not activate the duplexer

Example - Balanced Duplexer
Receive Condition Dummy

Antenna Load
Dual T/R
Tubes
Receiver
Transmitter Protector
Short-Slot Hybrid Junctions
The duplexer cannot always do the entire job of protecting the

receiver
Diode or ferrite limiters are used to additionally protect the
receiver
Also to protect receiver from radiation from other radars that do
not activate the duplexer

Components
Duplexers

Pulse Modulators
Crowbar
Other Stuff

Basic Elements of Pulse Modulator
Energy
Charging
Storage
Impedance
Element
Energy Switch
Load
Source
Charging Path Discharge Path
The function of the modulator is to turn the transmitter on

and off to generate the desired waveform
Energy from an external source is accumulated in the energy
storage element at a slow rate
When the pulse is ready to be formed, the switch is closed and
the stored energy is quickly discharged through the load to
form the dc pulse that is applied to the RF power device
During discharge the charging impedance prevents the energy
from being returned to the energy source Adapted from Skolnik
Reference 1

Crowbars
Power amplifier tubes can develop internal arc discharges

with little warning!
Capacitor bank discharges large currents through the arc
Tube can be damaged
Crowbar device places short circuit across capacitor bank

to transfer its stored energy.
When a sudden surge of current due to a fault in a protected

power tube is sensed, the crowbar switch is activated within
a few microseconds.
The current surge also causes the circuit breaker to open

and de-energize the primary source of power.

Components
Duplexers

Pulse Modulators
Crowbar Function
Other Stuff

Different Waveguide Configurations
L Band Rectangular X Band Coax to

Waveguide Waveguide Adapter
C Band 90
Courtesy of Cobham Sensor Systems. C Band Twist
Used with permission. 90 E Field & H field Bend Waveguide
Flexible and Ridged Waveguide
X Band & S Band Flexible

Waveguide
C Band Flexible
Waveguide
Adding the ridges to
the waveguide
X Band Ridged increases its bandwidth Courtesy of Cobham Sensor Systems
Used with permission.
Waveguide of operation
Waveguide Cutoff Wavelength / Frequency
The lower cutoff frequency for a particular mode (Tmn) in a

rectangular wave guide is given by:
2 2
1 m n C Band Flexible
fc = + Waveguide
2 a b
where
f c = cutoff frequency in Hz
a = width of waveguide b
b = height of waveguide a
o = permeability of free space
o = permittivity of free space
m = integers 0, 1, 2, 3, .
n = integers 0, 1, 2, 3, .
Courtesy of Cobham Sensor Systems.

Waveguide Subsystems
X Band Directional Coupler
C Band Ridged
Magic T


Rotary Joint
To the Antenna Feed
From the Transmitter
Courtesy of Mega RF Solutions
A rotary joint couples the microwave energy from the

transmitter to the antenna feed as the antenna rotates
It is located in the base of an antenna, which rotates about a
vertical axis

Stripline Transmission Line
y Ground Plane
E B
W
d d R
d/2 Side View Showing Field Lines

Ground Plane
z
Stripline is a planar form of transmission line

It is often used for photolithographic fabrication and in
microwave integrated circuitry (MIC)
Normally, it is fabricated by etching the center
conductor on a grounded dielectric and then covering it
with an equal thickness of dielectric and another ground
plane.
In normal operation it support TEM mode propagation.

Microstrip Transmission Line
y
E
B
W
d R
Ground Plane Side View Showing Field Lines

x
Microstrip in a form of planar transmission line

Can be fabricated using photolithographic processes
Integration with active and passive microwave devices is
straightforward
A conductor, width W, is printed on a dielectric substrate, of
thickness, d
Substrate is grounded
Mode of transmission is a hybrid TM-TE wave
Since substrate thickness is very thin , >> d, TEM propagation mode
is a reasonable approximation to reality

Comparison of Transmission Line and
Waveguide Characteristics
Characteristics Coax Waveguide Stripline Microstrip

Preferred Mode TEM TE10 TEM Quasi-TEM
Bandwidth High Low High High
Physical Size Large Large Moderate Small
Power Capacity Moderate High Low Low
Loss Moderate Low High High
Fabrication Moderate Moderate Easy Easy

Ease
Inter-component Hard Hard Moderate Easy
Integration
Adapted from Pozar, Reference 5

X Band Slotted Waveguide Antenna
(For Commercial Airborne Weather Radar)
Front View Back View
Slotted Waveguide Antenna Produces a Pencil Beam

That is Mechanically Scanned in Azimuth and Elevation
Components
Duplexers

Pulse Modulators
Crowbar Assem.
Microwave Integrated Circuit (MIC)

technology

Introduction to Microwave Integrated
Circuit (MIC) Technology
Just as digital circuitry has move to technology that is smaller, lighter
and more integrated in its manufacture, so has solid state microwave
circuitry, denoted:
Microwave Integrated Circuitry (MIC)
Hybrid microwave integrated circuitry

Common substrates: alumina, quartz, and Teflon fiber
Computer Aided Design (CAD) tools used in fabrication of mask
Substrate covered with metal
Then etched to remove areas of unwanted metal
Soldering or wire bonding used to implant discrete components
Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuitry (MMIC)

More recent technology than hybrid MICs
Semiconductors, such as, GaAs often used as substrate
Passive and active components grown into the substrate
Multiple layers of resistive film metal and dielectric are employed to fabricate the
device
Complete radar T/R modules are fabricated using groups of MMIC circuits
Low noise amplifiers, power amplifiers, phase shifters, receiver, etc.
Hybrid Microwave Integrated Circuit
Hybrid Wilkinson Chip
Divider Resistor
Ceramic Ground Chip

Substrate Plane FET Capacitor
Choke
Inductor Chip
Adapted from Pozar, Reference 5

Example - Microwave Integrated Circuit
MIC Power Amplifier used in TPS-59 radar

Courtesy of Lockheed Martin

Example - Microwave Integrated Circuit
Filter Output Power 8 Watts
10% Duty Cycle
T/R
Switches
Discrete
Resistors
HPA
Receiver
Controller
Transmitter
S-Band T/R Module (2.7 2.9 GHz)

Multifunction Phased Array Radar Courtesy of MA/COM Technology Solutions
Dual Channel for Weather & Air Traffic Control
Layout of a Typical Monolithic
Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC)
Microstrip
Input Line MIM Inductor
Capacitor
Thin Film
Resistor
Implanted GaAs
GaAs
Ground Plane Via Resistor Substrate
FET
Metalization Hole Adapted from Pozar, Reference 5

Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits
(MMIC) Receiver
Dual Channel Receiver

GaAs pHEMT Technology
Integrates:
2 of 6-bit phase shifters
2 of 4-bit constant phase
digital attenuators
2 Low Noise Amplifiers
Switches
Size - 4 mm x 4 mm Courtesy of MA/COM Technology Solutions
Integration into 64 Element S-Band
Subarray
Individual T/R Module
Back side of board where T/R Modules mount
Front Side of Subarray

of 64 Patch
Radiating Elements
Courtesy of MA/COM Technology Solutions

X-Band T/R Module Using MMIC
Technology
Two X-Band T/R Modules
T/R Modules
Size ~0.5 in. x ~2 in.
Based on GaAs MSAG Technology

Main components:
Phase shifter, attenuator, gain stages
Limiter LNA
High power amplifier
Silicon PIN Diode T/R Switch
Built in low cost laminate technology
Courtesy of MA/COM Technology Solutions

Outline
Introduction
Transmitters
Duplexers
Radar Transmitter- Receiver Architectures
Summary

Radar Transmitter-Receiver Architectures
A number of these architecture issues were discussed in the

antenna lectures in the context of how they scan a volume
(mechanical vs. electronic)
Dish antennas vs. array antennas
Types of array antennas
Active vs. Passive Scanning
Hybrid Antennas
Dish Antenna Array Antenna
TRADEX Patriot

Used with permission Courtesy of NATO
Radar Transmitter-Receiver Architectures
A number of these architecture issues were discussed in the

antenna lectures in the context of how they scan a volume
(mechanical vs. electronic)
Dish antennas vs. array antennas
Types of array antennas
Active vs. Passive Scanning
Hybrid Antennas
Passive Array Antenna Active Array Antenna

Courtesy of USAF Courtesy of Raytheon
UHF
COBRA Early
DANE Warning
Radar

Radar Antenna Architecture Comparison
Dish Radar Passive Array Radar Active Array Radar
T R T R T R
O Very low cost Beam agility Beam agility

PR Frequency diversity Effective radar resource Effective radar resource
management management
Low loss
Dedicated function Higher cost High cost
N
CO Slow scan rate
Requires custom More complex cooling
transmitter and high-power
Requires custom phase shifters
transmitter High loss
High loss
Used with Permission Active Array Radars
SBX X-Band Phased Array Radar
Active Array Phase Shifter
In Each T/R Module
T/R
Subarray
T/R
T/R
45,056
T/R
T/R Modules
T/R
T/R
Subarray
Low Power T/R

Transmit Pulse to T/R
T/R Module T/R
T/R Courtesy of US MDA
T/R
THAAD X-Band Phased Array Radar
Subarray
T/R
Receiver Output to
T/R
A/D and Processing Courtesy of Raytheon
T/R Used with Permission
T/R
T/R
25,334
T/R Modules
Subarray
T/R
T/R
T/R
T/R

Block Diagram of Active Radar Array
Using T/R Modules
Each T/R Module contains filtering, amplification, and amp./phase control
Amp. Phase
HPA control shifter
T in Waveform Generator
Timing, control
T/R Module
T/R
Module
Beamformer
Antenna R out
filter LNA Amp. Phase
control shifter Receiver
LO
.
. A/D
.
Antenna Array Processor I/Q
of M x N - T/R Modules
Transmit / Receive (T /R) Module
Configuration
Power
Amplifier
Input / Out
Transmit / Transmit /
Phase Receive
Receive
Shifter Switch
Switch
Antenna
LNA = Low Noise Amplifier
LNA

Power Amplification
High Power
Low Power RF
Input High Output
Power
From Amplifier
IPA Power To
Amplifier Antenna
Waveform
Generator
Driver Amplifiers IPA = Intermediate Power Amplifier

HPA = High Power Amplifier
Amplification occurs in multiple stages (Usually 2 or 3)

Driver amplifiers (Intermediate power amplifier)
High power amplifier
Each stage may be a single amplifier or several in series and / or

parallel
Requirements for power amplifier

Low noise and minimal distortion to input signal
Minimal combiner losses, if multiple amplifiers configured in parallel

Example of Power Amplification in a T/R
Module
High Power
Amplifier
= Amplifier
Driver Amplifiers
Circulator
T/R
Module
RF In Antenna
Phase T/R
Shifter Switch
RF Out
Driver Receiver T/R

LNA Protector /
Switch
Limiter
Higher transmitted power can be obtained by combining multiple

amplifiers in parallel or series
Combiner losses lower the ideal expected efficiency
More complexity
Array Radar - Digital on Receive
Analog Waveform
T/R Module Generator
A/D
from rcvr
Analog Digital Multiple

T/R Module Beamformer Receive
A/D (multichannel) Beams
from rcvr
Data and waveform

info to / from other
T/R modules
Analog
T/R Module
A/D
from rcvr
The analog T/R module receive signal is immediately digitized by an

A/D converter
The digital beamformer digitally generates multiple received beams
Array Radar - Digital on Transmit & Receive
T/R Module Digital Waveform

Analog Digital Waveform Info Control
Section Section
T/R Module
Analog Digital
Section Section
Digital Multiple
Received
T/R Module Beamformer Digital
Analog Digital Digital Data (multichannel) Beams
Section Section
T/R Module
Analog Digital
Section Section
Digitization of the waveform generation and receiver data

are performed within each T/R module
Transmit and receive options are very flexible
Summary
Radar transmit function is usually divided into two parts:

Waveform generation, which creates a low power waveform
signal , which is is then upconverted to RF
Power Amplifiers, then, amplify the RF signal waveform
Tube and/ or solid state amplifiers can perform this function
Radar receiver performs filtering, amplification and

downconversion functions and is then the signal is digitized
and sent to the signal processor
There are many different radar transmit/ receive architectures

Dependent on the antenna type
Centralized architecture: dish radars, passive array radars
Distributed architectures are evolving for both active array and
digital array radars

Summary (continued)
Klystrons, traveling wave tubes(TWT), and crossed field

amplifiers(CFA) are usually used to generate high power
microwave electromagnetic waves for dish radars
Solid state microwave transmitters are now available

More expensive and more reliable
Used in solid state T/R modules and in lower power dish
radars
Duplexers are used to isolate the transmitters high power

signals from the very sensitive radar receiver

Homework Problems
From Skolnik (Reference 1)

Problems 10.1to 10.5, and 10.8
Problems 11.9, 10.12, 10.15, 10.16
Although not covered in Lecture, read Sections 11-1 to 11-3
(pp 727-745) and do problems 11.1, 11.5, 11.6, and 11.7

References
1. Skolnik, M., Introduction to Radar Systems, New York,

McGraw-Hill, 3rd Edition, 2001
2. Skolnik, M., Editor in Chief, Radar Handbook, New York,
McGraw-Hill, 3rd Ed., 2008
3. Skolnik, M., Editor in Chief, Radar Handbook, New York,
McGraw-Hill, 2nd Ed., 1990
4. Ewell, G. W., Radar Transmitters, New York, McGraw-Hill,
1981
5. Pozar, D. M., Microwave Engineering, New Jersey, Wiley, 3rd
Ed, 2005

Acknowledgements
Dr Jeffrey S. Herd
Dr Douglas Carlson, M/A COM Technology Solutions


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What are the main components of a radar transmitter?

What are the main components of a radar transmitter?

What are some common high power microwave sources used in radar transmitters?

What are some common high power microwave sources used in radar transmitters?

Radar Systems Engineering

Dr. Robert M. ODonnell

IEEE New Hampshire Section

Signal Processor Computer

A/D Pulse Clutter Rejection

General Purpose Computer

IEEE New Hampshire Section

Radar range equation for search (S/N = signal to noise

The design of radar transmitter/receiver affects these

IEEE New Hampshire Section

Receivers and Waveform Generators

Other Transmitter / Receiver Subsystems

Radar Receiver-Transmitter Architectures

IEEE New Hampshire Section

IEEE New Hampshire Section

IEEE New Hampshire Section

Low Power Receive Sections

Radar transmitter and receiver can be divided into two major

IEEE New Hampshire Section

Transmitter Transmitter Transmitter

Transmitter System Timing Transmitter RF Input

IEEE New Hampshire Section

First developed in early 1950s

IEEE New Hampshire Section

Electron gun generates electron beam (X rays produced/shielding

Courtesy of CPI. Used with permission.

IEEE New Hampshire Section

Output device Klystrons (2)

Beam Width 0.6o

IEEE New Hampshire Section

Flex Waveguide Output flanges

IEEE New Hampshire Section

Adapted from Skolnik

Courtesy of MIT Lincoln Laboratory

IEEE New Hampshire Section

CPI SFD 233G

X-Band (9.0 to 9.5 GHZ)

Peak Output Power 900 kW

Duty Cycle .1%

Pulsewidth 0.83 sec

Courtesy of CPI. Used with permission.

IEEE New Hampshire Section

Klystron Traveling Wave Tube Crossed Field Amplifier

Voltage 1 MW requires 90kV 1 MW requires 90kV 1 MW requires 40kV

IEEE New Hampshire Section

IEEE New Hampshire Section

Courtesy of CPI. Used with permission.

Model SFD 303B Model VMS 1143B

Peak Output Power 1 MW Peak Output Power 3 MW

IEEE New Hampshire Section

IEEE New Hampshire Section

Bipolar PH3135-90S Pulsed Power Transistor UF28150J MOSFET Power Transistor

Solid state power transistors are

Solid state power generation device