High-Power Frequency Selective Limiters for Radar Receiver Protection

Metamagnetics proposes to develop ferrite-based Frequency Selective Limiter (FSL) technology for protecting radar receivers from high-power RF/microwave signals. Surface search radar systems use a plasma limiter to protect the receiver front end from high power microwave (HPM) reflected from RADARs own transmission and electromagnetic interferences (EMI). In the presence of high-power signal plasma limiter switch to nonconducting mode and reflect the incident high power from the input port. This reflected power is routed to a large absorptive load to prevent re-radiation of this signal again. Plasma limiter is a bulky, costly device with a limited operating life. It needs radioactive priming to reduce the spike leakage and due to that it requires special handling during installation and disposal. Metamagnetics proposes to develop high-power ferrite-based Frequency Selective Limiter (FSL) technology for use in Receiver Protector applications that can protect sensitive RF receivers from high power microwave and EMI. The ferrite-based FSL is a small, low cost, solid-state, nonhazardous limiter with a very long operating life. It is a passive component and requires only RF interface between antenna and receiver front end. It is compatible with all types of RF interfaces. FSL absorbs excess RF power, hence it does not require external load.