Theoretical performance of a GPS linked Pulsed Ring Down Array

Current research at Texas Tech University is focused on the development of a High-Power Pulsed Ring-Down Source (PRDS) Antenna Array. Previously, a Monte Carlo based analysis was conducted in order to predict the array performance based upon the estimated switching jitter between elements. This analysis showed good performance for jitter times between 0 to 2 periods of the ringing frequency. Therefore, for ringing frequencies up to 500 MHz, jitter times up to 4 nanoseconds can be tolerated. Subsequently, we have shown practical switching solutions capable of the sub-nanosecond switching performance needed for the frequencies of interest. Taking the analysis a step further, we introduce the uncertainty of the absolute position of each antenna element. To implement a randomly distributed array, where the position of elements is not fixed, a method of accurately resolving element positions relative to each other and the target location is required. The use of a variety of GPS technologies and techniques is explored as a method for position and timing resolution. The relative accuracy between elements and the absolute accuracy of each element is discussed. A Monte Carlo based analysis is conducted to predict array performance based upon GPS positional error, GPS timing error, and switch jitter.