Modular, Polarization-Preserving, 40-200 GHz, Active, Electronically Steered Array (AESA) Focal-Plane + Reflector Antenna for Next-Generation, Space-

Teqnovations proposes to develop a modular, polarization-preserving 40200 GHz active, electronically steered array (AESA) antenna for future microwave radiometry satellites. AESA technology will enable the satellite to customize its scan location and resolution on the Earth to image wind vectors precisely in critical geographic areas. A reflector + focal plane antenna architecture will image the entire Earth at 5 mile resolution. Modular, AESA tiles will be configured into focal-plane arrays. (These tiles also support a wide range of stand-alone, planar, quasi-conformal, timed-array antenna shapes and sizes.) Planar, ultra-wideband modular antenna (PUMA) array technology will be developed to acquire polarimetric radiometer data in the 40200 GHz band. True-time-delay (TTD), RF liquid-crystal (LC)-based time delayers will form elevation beams across the entire frequency band. Each elevation beam will be digitized with an ultra-wide bandwidth superconducting ADC (provided as GFM) to enable azimuth beam formation in the digital domain. The composite beam former will operate as an electronic push broom to sample the Earths surface in 2 mile increments. Focal-plane components will be designed, built, integrated, and tested during Phase II (though Option 2) in a laboratory environment to attain TRL 4 leading to full, Phase III antenna development.