Advanced Millimeter-Wave Multifunction Systems and the Implications for Semiconductor Technology

As military combat platforms take on more challenging roles and missions, their need for advanced communications and sensors for both survivability and lethality has increased. Unfortunately the size, weight, and power (SWAP) available to accommodate these new capabilities has not grown proportionately, nor is it likely to. Many of these new capabilities are required to operate in the radio frequency (RF) spectrum as the need to operate in degraded visual environments increases and in order to reduce antenna sizes and increase available bandwidth, the millimeter-wave (MMW) portion of the spectrum is being examined to address these needs. DARPA has recently started a program in multifunction RF systems to address these needed capabilities while also addressing SWAP through the use of common apertures and exciter/receiver technology. This presentation will discuss how this need for a millimeter wave (MMW) multifunction system may influence our investment strategy in MMW components and ICs to enhance functionality and reduce cost while maintaining performance.