Plasma Limiter: RF Mitigation Device for Radar and Electronic Warfare Systems

The widespread use of communication devices and radar systems has made our society increasingly vulnerable to disruptive, high-power, short pulse electromagnetic interference (EMI) and high power microwaves (HPM). Significant advances in devices that produce these high-power, short pulses have been made in the US and abroad in the past few decades. As a result, the need for devices that can protect sensitive communications equipment from such disruption is greater than ever. The primary objective of the proposed Phase II program is the development of a S-band plasma limiter to protect RF electronics, specifically within radars and electronic warfare systems. The S-band plasma limiter has target specifications of 10kW power handling, <1 nsec response time, and <.5 dB insertion loss. The limiter will operate on the same principle as our X-band waveguide plasma limiter.