• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.636-643
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• 2023

In this paper, a high-speed calibration method for phased array antennas in the far-field is presented A max calibration, which is a simplification of the rotating-element electric-field vector (REV) method that calibrates each antenna element only through received power, and a method of grouping calibrations by sub-array unit rather than each antenna element were proposed. Using the Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) algorithm, we found a partitioning optimized for the distribution of phased array antennas and calibrated it on a subarray basis. An adaptive max calibration method that allows faster calibration than the conventional method was proposed and verified through simulation. Not only is the gain of the phased array antenna higher while calibration is being made to the target, but the beam pattern is closer to the ideal beam pattern than the conventional method.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.227-247
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• 2015

An X-band $8{\times}16$ dual-polarized active phased array antenna system has been implemented based on the substrate integrated waveguide(SIW) technology having low propagation loss, complete EM shielding, and high power handling characteristics. Compared with the microstrip case, 1 dB less is the measured insertion loss(0.65 dB) of the 16-way SIW power distribution network and doubled(3 dB improved) is the measured radiation efficiency(73 %) of the SIW sub-array($1{\times}16$) antenna element. These significant improvements of the power division loss and the radiation efficiency using the SIW, save more than 30 % of the total power consumption, in the active phased array antenna systems, through substantial reduction of the maximum output power(P1 dB) of the high power amplifiers. Using the X-band $8{\times}16$ dual-polarized active phased array antenna system fabricated by the SIW technology, the main radiation beam has been steered by 0, 5, 9, and 18 degrees in the accuracy of 2 degree maximum deviation by simply generating the theoretical control vectors. Performing thermal cycle and vacuum tests, we have found that the SIW array antenna system be eligible for the space environment qualification. We expect that the high efficiency SIW array antenna system be very effective for high performance radar systems, massive MIMO for 5G mobile systems, and various millimeter-wave systems(60 GHz WPAN, 77 GHz automotive radars, high speed digital transmission systems).

• Aerospace Engineering and Technology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2012

This paper describes the transmit/receive(T/R) module for the space based X-band active phased array radar. T/R module is the integrated module which is assembled by the transmitting and receiving RF semiconductor devices to enable the electronically beam steering of the phased array antenna and the key component of the SAR payload. T/R module can selectively receive the polarization signals by the switch according to the established technology but now the technological trend of the T/R module is to receive the horizontal and vertical polarization signal simultaneously. Therefore the research and development of the dual polarization receiving channel T/R module is actively in progress. In this study, as the prior research for the next generation SAR payload, the technological trend of the active phased array radar T/R module and the result of the preliminary design of the dual receiving channel T/R module were described.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.665-675
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• 2016

With the development of active phased array radar technology in recent years, active phased array antennas, which digitally combine signals received from subarray units using dozens of digital receiver, have been developed. The beam characteristics are greatly affected by the shape of the subarray structure as well as the weight of subarray in digital beamforming. So in this paper, the method to generate subarray structures by using recursive element exchanging method and the method to optimize subarray structures that can minimize sidelobes of operating beams are proposed. Additionally it presents the result to find the optimized subarray structure to minimize the maximum sidelobe of monopulse beam and pencil multi-beam respectively or simultaneously which are commonly used for digital beamforming by applying the algorithm propsed in this paper.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1243-1251
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• 2009

This paper presents design and test results of X-Band Transmit/Receive(T/R) module for active phased-array radar. Active phased array radars typically require solid state T/R modules with high output power, low noise figure, high Third Order Intercept(TOI), and sufficient gain in both transmit and receive. The output power of the module is 9 watts over a wide bandwidth. The noise figure is as low as 2.8 dB. Phase and amplitude are controlled by the 6-bit phase shifter and 5-bit attenuator, respectively. Highly integrated T/R module is achieved by using LTCC(Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic) multiple layer substrate. The module incorporates a compact digital interface, requires only three supply voltages.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.2417-2424
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• 2016

Small size and light weight is very important for components used in radar mounted platform such as airborne radar. Recently, the active phased array radar is developed as an array of antennas for thousands of transmit/receive modules to be used as a multi-function radar that can detect and track targets. In this case, the size and weight of the transmit/receive modules are critical factor for developing the radar. In this paper, we developed a compact transmit/receive module using the 10W RF MEMS switch domestically localizing and reduced the circuit area to about 86.5% compared to using a circulator. The developed module satisfies not only electrical requirements but also MIL-STD's environmental specifications. So it can be used in a military device. It can be used at adaptive tunable receivers, reconfigurable smart active antennas and wide band beam electrical steering antennas.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.249-254
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• 2019

A Digital Transmitter/Receiver Module(DTRM), which is an essential part in active phased-array radar systems, generates a high heat density, and needs to be properly cooled for stable operation. A tile-type DTRM that is a stacking structure of multi-layer components was modeled with simplification and heat dissipation characteristics of the DTRM model were studied using computational fluid dynamics(CFD) simulations. Most of the heat was dissipated by the heat conduction through the cold plate, but the heat transfer by the forced convection on top of the DTRM also was found to play an important role in the thermal management. Under the given conjugated heat transfer environment, the DTRM was confirmed to secure a stable operating temperature range.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.143-152
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• 2019

In this paper, we described the design of Ka-band planar active phased array antenna which is applicable for small RADAR for airborne and seeker of guided missile. The antenna consists of about 1000 array radiating elements and is designed to be within 200mm diameter. We optimized the spacing of radiating elements to allow beem steering above ${\pm}55$ degrees of Field of view, and analyzed the performance of antenna. We confirmed that the Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) of the antenna can be 94.22 dBm and receive G/T can be 1.68 dB/k through the designs of RF components and the verification of RF budget. The TX output of TR Module is designed to be over 1.3W for EIRP, and Receive noise figure of TR Module is designed to be less than 5dB for G/T.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.87-94
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• 2023

As the latest weapon systems and electronic equipments are increasingly demanding stealth technology to improve the survivability of allies, it is necessary to implement low-observability technology that reduces the radar cross section(RCS). In order to implement this stealth technology, a method for low RCS characteristics by applying a shape design or a electromagnetic wave absorber is widely used. However, active phased array antennas have structural limitations in shape design, also when a absorber is applied to it, the performance of the antenna is degraded. Therefore, in this paper, in order to realize the low RCS characteristics of the active phased array antenna operating in the X-band, individual radiating elements suitable for applying the radio wave absorber were selected, and a 13x13 array antenna was designed and manufactured. Next, by comparing the measured results of the relative RCS and electrical performance for the manufactured antenna according to the presence and type of the absorber, it is shown that the electrical performance is maintained at an equal or higher level while obtaining the low RCS characteristics. Thereby the method proposed in this paper for implementing the low RCS characteristics was validated. Finally, it was confirmed that when the wave absorber is applied to the array antenna, the limitation of its performance deterioration can be overcome.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.955-964
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• 2010

In this paper, a compensation method of the amplitude and phase errors from the T/R(Transmit/Receive) modules in an active SAR(Synthetic Aperture Radar) system is introduced. The errors are defined and classified, and characterized by analyzing the measurement data acquired from the pilot test. To compensate these errors, a control methodology of T/R modules output is proposed. Before the compensation is applied, 16 T/R modules integrated on the active SAR antenna show the amplitude in 28.2~29.0 dBm and the phase in $101.7^{\circ}{\sim}165.2^{\circ}$. After the compensation, the amplitude and phase are distributed in 27.4~28.0 dBm and $116.1^{\circ}{\sim}120.0^{\circ}$ respectively. The antenna beam patterns generated by the array theory with the distributions are compared, and the proposed method is verified as good to apply for the active SAR system.