Design, fabrication and performance analysis of TTD structures for S-band active phased array RF beamforming networks

Year 2019, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 94 - 98, 25.12.2019

Ahmet Hastürk Nursel Akçam Tayfun Okan

Abstract

In this study an eight-channel active analog beamforming structure is designed and developed in subsystems by using a Applied Wave Research (AWR) simulation program. This structure works in S-band and contains true-time-delay (TTD) systems. The simulation results and the results obtained from the manufactured structure are compared. In the comparison, the TTD values for different time delay steps and phase difference measurements between channels are analyzed and interpreted. The test results show that desired performance is obtained from the designed and manufactured PCB. However, it is observed that feeding each antenna element with single channel beamforming board would be more appropriate.

Keywords

Active phased array, beamforming, true-time-delay (TTD), phase shift, single pole four throw

References

• Balanis C.A., Antenna Theory: Analysis and Design. New York: Wiley, 1997.
• Duarte V.C., Drummond M.V. and Nogueira R.N., “Coherent photonic tru-time-delay beamforming system for a phased array antenna receiver,” in 18th International Conference on Transparent Optical Networks (ICTON), 2016, pp. 1-5.
• Rotman R., Rotman S., Rotman W., Raz O. and Tur M., “Wideband RF beamforming: the Rotman lens vs. photonic beamforming,” in IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium, 2005, vol. 2B, pp. 23-26.
• Rideout H.R., Seregelyi J.S. and Yao J., “A True Time Delay Beamforming System Incorporating a Wavelength Tunable Optical Phase-Lock Loop,” Journal of Lightwave Technology, 25, (2007), 1761-1770.
• Morgan L. and Andersson H., “An efficient beamforming method using a combination of analog true time and digital delay,” in IEEE Radar Conference, 2002, pp. 260-265.
• Walden R.H., “Performance Trends for Analog-to Digital Converters,” IEEE Communications Magazine, 37, (1999), 96-101.
• Capmany J. and Novak D., “Microwave photonics combines two worlds,” Nature Photonics, 1, (2007), 319-330.
• Shin D.H., Yom I.B. and Kim D.W., “4–20 GHz GaAs True-Time Delay Amplifier MMIC,” IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, 27, (2017), 1119-1121.
• Yi X., Huang T.X.H., Minasian R.A., “Photonic Beamforming Based on Programmable Phase Shifters With Amplitude and Phase Control,” IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 23, (2011), 1286-1288.