Low Cost Phased Array Radars

In this SBIR Phase I effort, Structured Materials Industries, Inc., www.structuredmaterials.com (SMI), in collaboration with two primary radar system suppliers, will develop affordable, low-power density phased array radars. Our proposed technical approach will combine two emerging (yet well proven) technologies; a tunable radar reflector array or "reflectarray" design, and tunable impedance devices based on tunable dielectric constant thin films. Together, these innovations will significantly reduce the cost and footprint of phased array radars without sacrificing performance. In Phase I, we will fabricate tunable impedance test structures on low cost substrates, based on barium strontium titanate thin films. We will also demonstrate the manufacturing processes to integrate the materials and device structures into a reflectarray design. In Phase II, we will build and demonstrate actual prototypes of low-cost phased array radar systems. In Phase III, we will commercialize the technology for both military and commercial applications.