Radar Multi-Beam Receive Arrays

The FIRST RF approach to multi-beam phased array antennas proposed for this phase I program uses innovative application of techniques traditionally used in communication networks in order to simultaneously perform RF analog beamforming of multiple beams simultaneously on a single RF manifold. The proposed methods are scalable to a large number of simultaneous beams, and are independent of both the radiating aperture and the radar waveform for modular implementation. The networks can readily be designed to integrate into the FIRST RF low cost SMArT array architecture, opening avenues for rapid transition into other FIRST RF development programs for use in electronic warfare and communications applications in addition to radar. The phase I program will demonstrate a small multi-beam array at S-band, and define an optimal architecture that can be implemented using customized components at X-band during phase II. The hardware demonstration during phase I will demonstrate not only the viability of the technical approach, but also the low cost and manufacturable nature of the FIRST RF techniques by completing the demonstration with the limited budget and schedule constraints of a phase I SBIR.