Multi-band Phased Array Antenna Technology for global communication systems (Surprises and Opportunities)

The thrust of this Phase II SBIR program is to design, develop and demonstrate low cost, multi-beam, multi-frequency, compact size phased array antenna system with scanning capability. The antenna system will operate at a broad bandwidth from 8 to 40 GHzwithout the need for switching and reconfiguration and will support the high data rate (>500 MBPS) transmission. A small 4 x 4 phased array antenna system will be produced to demonstrate the technology effectiveness. The proposed phased array design isbased on the multi-functional RF antenna elements realized by the integration of multi-band T/R modules and wide-band planar (Vivaldi) antenna elements. New developments will be emphasized in the areas of low loss diplexer development, wide-bandtransmitter modules, power and low noise amplifiers, low loss wide-band phase shifters, beam steering controller, input/output interfaces, low frequency electronics, complete data-in-data-out system and system analysis. The new T/R modules will transmit at10, 19, and 32 GHz frequency ranges and will receive at 12, 21, and 35 GHz frequency ranges, simultaneously. A small prototype antenna system will be integrated with the high-speed data interface modules to demonstrate the full duplex end-to-endcommunication system. This prototype phased array will form a building block for large high capacity antennas for the air platforms. Main features of this technology are multi-band performance, low power dissipation and low cost beam steering, theextension of which to a broadband phased array radar system will also be undertaken.