Dual-Frequency, Active mm-wave (MMW) Electronically Scanned Antenna (ESA) (9696)

Q-DOT proposes to develop a dual frequency (i.e. separate transmit and receive frequencies), wide bandwidth (35 GHz ± 10%) MMW ESA capable of rapidly scanning 2.3° beams ± 60°. With a gain of 35dB and efficiency of 67%, the ESA will output up to 200W with EIRP of 59.8 dBw and G/T of 11.6 dB/K. A monolithic distribution network connects individual element sites to a single input and output connector. Every antenna element site comprises a transmit amplifier, a low-noise amplifier, independent transmit and receive phase shifters, filters to isolate the transmit and receive paths, and a wide (20%) bandwidth radiating element. All transmit, receive, and beam forming functions are realized on a single, 8" (200 mm) silicon wafer. The wafer will be realized in IBM's 8HP SiGe Bi CMOS process via DoD's ITAR-compliant Trusted Foundry Agreement (TFA). Signal distribution networks (corporate feeds) and antenna elements will be added to the wafer with established technology. The resulting ESA will be compact, rugged, and low-cost in production. The Phase I effort will focus on developing highly efficient, well-isolated circuitry suitable for full-duplex data communications. Fully functional antenna sites will be demonstrated in Phase II leading to full MMW ESA development in Phase III.