Title :
From AESA radar to digital radar for surface-based applications
Author_Institution :
Surface Radar, Thales Air Syst., Limours
Abstract :
This paper describes how Thales surface radar product policy is evolving from active electronically steered antenna (AESA) radar to digital radar in order to improve its capabilities when operating in challenging electromagnetic environments. It shows how digital receiver technology (with an analogue-to-digital converter behind every receive antenna element) tailored for the digital beam forming array application is a key enabling technology for enhancing the detection of radiofrequency signals of interest mixed with strong interference. After a description of the architecture and packaging design choices, some recent developments of digital tile receivers in S band are presented. Examples using digital technology are given including M3R, GM400 and SM400. The conclusion focuses on future perspectives in digital radar technology.
Keywords :
active antenna arrays; analogue-digital conversion; array signal processing; beam steering; microwave antenna arrays; radar antennas; radar receivers; radiofrequency interference; signal detection; AESA radar; GM400; M3R; S band; SM400; Thales surface radar product policy; active electronically steered antenna radar; analogue-to-digital converter; digital beamforming array application; digital radar receiver technology; electromagnetic environment; radar interference; radiofrequency signal detection; receive antenna element; surface-based application; Analog-digital conversion; Antenna arrays; Interference; Packaging; Radar antennas; Radar applications; Radar detection; Radio frequency; Receiving antennas; Signal detection;
Conference_Titel :
Radar Conference, 2009 IEEE
Conference_Location :
Pasadena, CA
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-2870-0
Electronic_ISBN :
1097-5659
DOI :
10.1109/RADAR.2009.4976941