Implementation of a low cost, lightweight X-band antenna with integrated SiGe RF electronics

Abstract

This paper presents an organic, lightweight X-band antenna array with integrated silicon germanium (SiGe) low noise amplifiers (LNA) and 3-bit phase shifters (PS). The SiGe LNAs and PSs were successfully integrated onto an 8x1 lightweight antenna stack-up utilizing a multilayer liquid crystal polymer (LCP) substrate. Successful comparisons of the measured and simulated results verify a working antenna array with a return loss of around 10 dB across the frequency band of 9.25 GHz -9.75 GHz. A comparison of radiation patterns for the 8x1 antenna with integrated SiGe LNA and the 8x1 antenna with integrated SiGe LNA and PS show a 16 dB and 25 dB increase in gain, respectively. The ultimate goal is to develop an airborne X-band radar capable of a beam steering of at least ±40° through utilization of low power highly integrated SiGe electronics on a low cost multi-layer organic platform. This paper represents the first successful demonstration of a building block prototype (i.e., a fully integrated, high gain X-band antenna with SiGe LNAs and SiGe phase shifters) that can be expanded to a complete active phased array for remote sensing applications in X-band.

High-speed sensor head with wide frequency range using deformed helix ferroelectric liquid crystal

“…This growth affords many opportunities, some of which are well suited to photonic sensors especially under harsh environmental conditions, for instance in the presence of high-electromagnetic fields or flammable atmospheres [4]- [7]. Photonic sensors offer the possibility of multiplexing using optical fibers, leveraging technologies in the field of optical telecommunications.…”