Title: A Lightweight 64-element X-band T/R phased array with Si electronics and RF MEMS switches for SCLP measurements on UAV platforms
Author: John Papapolymerou
Organization: Georgia Tech
Co-Authors: Carlos A. Donado Morcillo, Chad Patterson, Tushar K. Thrivikraman, Benjamin Lacroix, Bill Wilson, Brian Hudson, Christopher T. Coe, Chung H. J. Poh, Ted Heath, John D. Cressler
Abstract:
This paper will present our most recent results on a lightweight transmit-receive (T/R), 64- lement phased array fully driven by Silicon Germanium (SiGe) integrated circuits and implemented on organic substrates at 9.5 GHz. The array is realized on a lightweight Duroid and Liquid Crystal Polymer substrate stack-up. The radiating elements are driven by SiGe-based T/R modules and power amplifiers.
Additionally, radio-frequency micro-electromechanical (MEMS) switches allow the toggled operation between transmit and receive modes. Measurements showed an average T/R operation 10-dB return loss bandwidth of 2.55GHz, an azimuthal T/R beam-steering range of +/-30∞, a receive gain of 27.28dB and an estimated output power (EIRP) of 41.33dBm. The lightweight X-band array will be employed on the surface of a UAV for SCLP measurements.