Thermal Management of Highly Integrated Radio Frequency (RF) Electronics

Sophisticated radar antennas such as an active electronically scanned aperture (AESA) are used to support acquisition and tracking in multiple modes over wide bandwidths, monopulse tracking, and Sense and Avoid RADAR (SAA) for UAV applications. These multi-function radar systems are small but require a considerable amount of power, which in turn produces a significant amount of heat. For these systems to be practical they must be lightweight and affordable while managing thermal loads to meet mission critical levels of reliability and performance. The proposed program will focus on efficient RF manifold technologies and integration architectures which will enable the next generation of low cost, high performance airborne phased arrays. Traditionally, airborne phased arrays have been restricted to only the highest performance applications. This architecture utilizes an innovative RF manifold where high efficiency components and specialized structuring reduce thermal resistance and optimize airflow through the heat sink. The FIRST RF architecture increases thermal transfer to the surrounding air. This approach represents a breakthrough in simple, low-cost, air-cooled phased arrays, and combines our strengths in high performance antenna design, manifold design.