Evolutionary trends in Transmit/Receive Module for Active Phased Array Radars

  • Somsing Rathod DRDO Electronics and Radar Development Establishment Bengaluru
  • Kilari Sreenivasulu DRDO Electronics and Radar Development Establishment Bengaluru
  • KS Beenamole DRDO Electronics and Radar Development Establishment Bengaluru
  • KP Ray DRDO Defence Institute of Advanced Technology Pune
Keywords: Active Phased Array, LTCC, GaAs, LDMOS, GaN, 3D T/R Module

Abstract

Worldwide, defense technologies are rapidly evolving and are currently aiming at integrating diverse functionalities like Radar, Electronic Warfare, Communications, etc., on a singular miniaturized platform. Hence, it cannot be denied that the advancements in modern Active Phased Array Radar technologies assume a critical role towards the achievement of this goal. A typical Active Phased Array Radar comprises of an Active Antenna Array Unit (AAAU) consisting of a large number of radiating elements, Transmit/Receive (T/R) Modules with other associated RF and digital circuitry and power electronics.  This paper presents mainly the developments in Transmit/Receive (T/R) Module technology, which assimilates various stages of the technological evolution - past, current and futuristic. It discusses how these technologies contribute towards the improvement of efficiency, miniaturization and reliability without compromising its performance parameters.

Author Biographies

Somsing Rathod, DRDO Electronics and Radar Development Establishment Bengaluru
Mr Somsing Rathod received his BE (Electronics and Communication Engineering) from Karnataka University, Dharwad, in 1999 and completed MTech (Radio Frequency Design and Technology) from IIT, Delhi. Currently he is working as a Scientist ‘E’ in DRDO-Electronics and Radar Development Establishment, Bengaluru. His core research lies in design and implementation of FPGA based Logic design and processors including its inherent firmware.
Kilari Sreenivasulu, DRDO Electronics and Radar Development Establishment Bengaluru
Mr K.Sreenivasulu received his BTech from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, in 1995. He received his ME (Microelectronics systems) from IISc, Bangalore, in 2004. Currently he is working as a Scientist in DRDO-Electronics and Radar Development Establishment, Bengaluru. His area of work is design, development of RF and microwave subsystems, digital radar systems, beam steering controller for active aperture array radar. His interest includes VLSI systems and programmable controllers.
KS Beenamole, DRDO Electronics and Radar Development Establishment Bengaluru
Dr K.S. Beenamole received her MTech (Electronics) from Cochin University of Science and Technology, in 1996 and PhD (Electronics) from Osmania University, in 2009. Presently, she is working as a scientist in DRDO-Electronics and Radar Development Establishment, Bengaluru. Her contributions are in the area of microwave integrated circuits for active phased array radar. She has one patent for her innovative design of printed microstrip patch antenna array for battlefield surveillance radar.
KP Ray, DRDO Defence Institute of Advanced Technology Pune
Prof K.P. Ray received his MTech (Microwave Electronics) from University of Delhi and PhD from IIT Bombay. Presently he is a Professor in the DIAT(DU), Pune. His area of the work is RF and microwave systems/components and developed expertise in the design of antenna elements/arrays and high power RF/ microwave sources for RADAR and industrial applications. He holds 3 patents and filed three patents.
Published
2018-10-31
How to Cite
Rathod, S., Sreenivasulu, K., Beenamole, K., & Ray, K. (2018). Evolutionary trends in Transmit/Receive Module for Active Phased Array Radars. Defence Science Journal, 68(6), 553-559. https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.68.12628
Section
Electronics & Communication Systems