Low Phase Noise Signal Generation

Advanced radar capabilities are crucial to missile defense systems for detection and tracking of incoming missiles. A new generation of missile defense radars depends on distributed exciters for generation of local-oscillator signals in digital receiver arrays. One novel design approach for frequency synthesizers for such applications is a hybrid digital synthesis approach. In Phase 1 of this SBIR program, Hittite analyzed performance characteristics attainable of such hybrid digital synthesizers, and demonstrated the feasibility of meeting stringent requirements for switching speed, phase noise, and spurious signal. This Phase 2 proposal describes Hittite's approach for demonstration of miniaturized synthesizers meeting those performance objectives. The proposed synthesizer will have sub-micro-second switching time, state-of-the-art SSB phase noise of -150 dBc/Hz @ 100kHz, miniature size (6" x 6" x 0.75"), and phase synchronicity for precise reproduction of the output frequency after frequency switching. The synthesizer will operate in the frequency band of 3.5 to 4.4 GHz band for use as the first LO in a ship-board radar system. The proposed program will be based on novel MMIC chips developed at Hittite leading to significant performance improvement, size reduction and ultimate cost reduction of frequency synthesizers compared to the synthesizers of conventional design