Phased Array Radars

Naval Weapons Systems

Limitations of Mechanical Scanning Radars

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Positioning Antenna is SLOW Reduced reaction times Blind Sided! Mechanical error

Electronic Scanning
Increased Data Rates Instantaneous Beam Positioning Elimination of Mechanical Errors MultiMulti-mode Operation MultiMulti-target capability

Phased Array / SPY 1D

Phase Concept
Principle of Operation The electromagnetic energy received at a point in space from two or more closely spaced radiating elements is a maximum when the energy from each radiating element arrives at the point in phase. phase.

Phase Relationships

Constructive Interference Destructive Interference

Generating a Directional Main Lobe in a Phased Array Radar

Wave Fronts of Maximum Energy

Boresight Axis

Boresight Axis

Radiating in Phase

Altering the Phase to Change the Axis

Beam Positioning

Point P where all waves arrive in phase

Methods of Beam Steering

3 Kinds
Time Delay Scanning Frequency Scanning Phase Scanning

Methods of Beam Steering

Time Delay Scanning
Use of time delay to achieve the desired phase relationship Time delay networks installed in front of each radiating element Expensive, Complex & Heavy

Time Delay Scanning

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Methods of Beam Steering

Frequency Scanning
The physical length of the wave guide to delay the frequency interval Vary the frequency about a base frequency Very simple and relatively inexpensive.

AN/SPSAN/SPS-48

Frequency Scanning
Wave guide feed horns

Case #1 All Waves transmitted are in phase Wave guide

Case #2 Waves transmitted are phase shifted Wave guide

Methods of Beam Steering

Phase Scanning
Radiating elements fed by phasephaseshifting networks (Phasers) Phasers are electronically adjustable More expensive than frequency scanning but cheaper than time delay Most widely used SPY1

SPYSPY-1

Phase Scanning

Phasers!!

Fleet Uses of Electronic Scanning

Ticonderoga Arleigh Burke SPSSPS-48 Air Search

AN/SPS 48

Angular Resolution
CrossCross-Range Resolution
Antenna beam width Range

For accurate angular resolution need very long antenna (~10 km long!)
Motion of the transmitter/receiver simulates long antenna

SAR

Synthetic Aperture Array Radar

* Uses the same theory of electronic scanning. * Motion of the antenna used as the antenna aperture * Sequential instead of simultaneous * High resolution imaging from aircraft

SAR

Electronic Scanning Summary

Multiple functions Search Track (so, TWS) Beam Steering Time delay, Frequency, and Phase scanning VERY BASIC LOOK AT ELECTRONIC SCANNING!

QUESTIONS?