Electronically Controlled Beamformer Based on Reconfigurable Hologram Aperture

Problem or opportunity: Existing Navy phased array antenna radars are enormously costly, waste a large amount of power, and are quite cumbersome. A revolutionary approach to beam-forming recently introduced by WaveBand Corporation will result in dramatic improvement in these features. The new beamforming technology performs all the functions of the conventional phased array technology; however, it offers a significant improvement in cost, reduction in weight, and enhancement of performance. The new approach has been demonstrated at millimeter-wave frequencies (W-band). Project Objectives: To demonstrate the feasibility of the new WaveBand beamforming technology at frequencies corresponding to those of Navy radar (X-band and S-band) and to deliver an operating prototype of the new antenna to the Navy. Effort: WaveBand will design, fabricate, test, and deliver to the Navy a 2D antenna prototype comprised of 8 subarrays. Anticipated Results: The new antenna aperture will be 10 to 15 times lighter, 300 times less expensive, and capable of radiating 90 times higher microwave energy. It will provide stealth capability, flexible reconfigurability, and digital control.