TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: NA, IWS 2.0 will transition into developing electronic warfare systems.

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN CITIZENS (i.e., those holding non-U.S. Passports): This topic is "ITAR Restricted." The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 - 130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data. Foreign Citizens may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign citizen who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal will be rejected.

OBJECTIVE: Demonstrate innovative cost effective high performance circulators/isolators applicable to Navy S-Band through X-Band shipboard radars and wide bandwidth electronic warfare (EW) systems.

DESCRIPTION: Circulators/Isolators are used in phased array antennas in part to isolate the power amplifier from load impedance variations created during electronic scanning. The development of circulators/isolators is particularly challenging to realize over relatively wide bandwidth (> 3:1) with relatively low insertion loss (< 1 dB), and high power capabillity (> 30 Watts at S-band, >10 Watts at X-band). In addition, the cost of the circulator/isolator is an important issue. Innovative and affordable circulator/isolator technologies are specifically sought that can satisfy the operational conditions required by developing Navy high power S-X Band radars and electronic warfare systems.

PHASE I: Demonstrate feasibility of proposed circulator/isolator technologies through modeling and empirical evaluation. Technical feasibility shall be demonstrated by meeting the stated performance objectives and transition potential.

PHASE II: Develop and demonstrate a circulator/isolator technology that 1) addresses the electrical objectives of the topic, 2) that is compatible with a high power operational shipboard solid state radar or wide bandwidth electronic warfare applications, and 3) that also will satisfy reliable long-term shipboard operation.

PHASE III: Refine the Phase II design as necessary and incorporate into a solid-state high-power amplifier module design intended for integration and demonstration in an operating NAVSEA IWS 2.0 radar or electronic warfare system.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: The developed high performance, cost-effective circulators/isolators will have technological applicability for all commercial and military avionics radars and military electronic warfare systems, all commercial radar applications, and all marine radar applications.

REFERENCES:
1. Shur, M.S., "GaN-Based Electronic Devices", International Technology Research Institute, TTEC Report August 2000

2 Passive RF and Microwave Integrated Circuits ,Leo G. Maloratsky, Newnes, ISBN: 0-7506-7699-X

3. P. Schuh, "Using GaN technology in military systems," International Microwave Symposium, June 7-12, 2009, Boston, MA

4. R. Jones and B. Kopp, "Duplexer considerations for X-band T/R modules," Microwave Journal, pp. 348�352, May 2000

KEYWORDS: not changed

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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