ITC/USA 2006 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-Second Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 23-26, 2006 / Town and Country Resort & Convention Center, San Diego, California / Recent Constraints on the use of L and S band spectrum led to the search for additional Frequency Domain Bandwidth augmentation for test range telemetry needs. The ITU (International Telecommunications Union) approved X band region is listed as 7000 MHz to 8500 MHz for telemetry space applications. Bandwidth is available within this domain subject to the WARC (World Administrative Radio Consortium) approvals. This paper describes tests and presents results illustrating methodology that is available, and which can be used for conversion of S-band assets to the X band spectral region.

Thesis (PhD (Electric and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / A tunable X-band PIN diode switch, implemented in evanescent mode waveguide, is presented. To allow in-situ tuning of resonances after construction, a novel PIN diode mounting structure is proposed and verified, offering substantial advantages in assembly costs. Accurate and time-effective modelling of filter and limiter states of the proposed switch is possible, using an evanescent mode PIN diode and mount model. The model is developed by optimizing an AWR Microwave Office model of a first order switch prototype with embedded PIN diode, to simultaneously fit filter and limiter measurements of four first order prototypes. The model is then used in the design of a third order switch prototype, achieving isolation of 62 dB over a 8.5 to 10.5 GHz bandwidth in the limiting state, as well as reflection of 15.73 dB and insertion loss of 1.23±0.155 dB in the filtering state over the same bandwidth.

The presentation highlights research on theory, design, EM modeling, fabrication, packaging, and measurement of GaAs Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMICs). The goal of this work is to design MMIC LNAs with low noise figure, high gain, and wide bandwidth. The work aims to develop GaAs MMIC LNAs for the application of RF front-end receivers in radio telescopes. GaAs MMIC technology offers modern radio astronomy attractive solutions based on its advantage in terms of high operational frequency, low noise, excellent repeatability and high integration density. Theoretical investigations are performed, presenting the formulation and graphical methods, and focusing on a systematic method to design a low noise amplifier for the best noise, gain and input/output return loss. Additionally, an EM simulation method is utilized and successfully applied to MMIC designs. The effect of packaging including the wire bond and chassis is critical as the frequency increases. Therefore, it is modeled by full-wave analysis where the measured results verify the reliability of these models. The designed MMICs are validated by measurements of several prototypes, including three C/X band and one Q band MMIC LNAs. Moreover, comparison to similar industrial chips demonstrates the superiority of the proposed structures regarding bandwidth, noise and gain flatness, and making them suitable for use in radio astronomy receivers. / Graduate / 2020-05-01

The accurate estimation of snow water equivalent (SWE) in the Canadian sub-arctic is integral to climate variability studies and water availability forecasts for economic considerations (drinking water, hydroelectric power generation). Common passive microwave (PM) snow water equivalent (SWE) algorithms that utilize the differences in brightness temperature (Tb) at 37 GHz – 19 GHz falter in lake-rich tundra environments because of the inclusion of lakes within PM pixels. The overarching goal of this research was to investigate the use of multiple platforms and methodologies to observe and quantify the effects of lake ice and sub-ice water on passive microwave emission for the purpose of improving snow water equivalent (SWE) retrieval algorithms. Using in situ snow and ice measurements as input, the Helsinki University of Technology (HUT) multi-layer snow emission model was modified to include an ice layer below the snow layer. Emission for 6.9, 19, 37 and 89 GHz were simulated at horizontal and vertical polarizations, and were validated by high resolution airborne passive microwave measurements coincident with in situ sampling sites over two lakes near Inuvik, Northwest Territories (NWT). Overall, the general magnitude of brightness temperatures were estimated by the HUT model for 6.9 and 19 GHz H/V, however the variability was not. Simulations produced at 37 GHz exhibited the best agreement relative to observed temperatures. However, emission at 37 GHz does not interact with the radiometrically cold water, indicating that ice properties controlling microwave emission are not fully captured by the HUT model. Alternatively, active microwave synthetic aperture radar (SAR) measurements can be used to identify ice properties that affect passive microwave emission. Dual polarized X-band SAR backscatter was utilized to identify ice types by the segmentation program MAGIC (MAp Guided Ice Classification). Airborne passive microwave transects were grouped by ice type classes and compared to backscatter measurements. In freshwater, where there were few areas of high bubble concentration at the ice/water interface Tbs exhibited positive correlations with cross-polarized backscatter, corresponding to ice types (from low to high emission/backscatter: clear ice, transition zone between clear and grey ice, grey ice and rafted ice). SWE algorithms were applied to emission within each ice type producing negative or near zero values in areas of low 19 GHz Tbs (clear ice, transition zone), but also produced positive values that were closer to the range of in situ measurements in areas of high 19 GHz Tbs (grey and rafted ice). Therefore, cross-polarized X-band SAR measurements can be used as a priori ice type information for spaceborne PM algorithms, providing information on ice types and ice characteristics (floating, frozen to bed), integral to future tundra-specific SWE retrieval algorithms.

Ferrite phase shifters are key components of passive phased array antenna systems. In a modern radar system, microwave components in the transmit path should handle high microwave power levels. Also low loss operation in phase shifters is critical, since radar range depends on the microwave power transmitted from the antennas. In this respect, ferrite phase shifters provide required performance characteristics for phased array radar systems. In this thesis, Reggia-Spencer type and twin-toroid type ferrite phase shifters operating at X-Band are designed, simulated, fabricated and measured. Measurements of the fabricated ferrite phase shifters are compared with simulation results. Electromagnetic simulations are performed using CST.

Array antennas are used extensively in remote sensing applications, where a highly directive beam is needed to scan a particular area of interest on the surface of the earth. The research presented here focuses on the design of different microstrip patch antenna arrays to be used in environmental sensing applications in the X and Ka frequency bands, such as measurements in Snow and Cold Land Processes (SCLP) to detect snow accumulation, snow melt, etc. The goal of this research is to produce highly integrated, low loss, and compact size antenna arrays, while maintaining low power consumption. Multilayer organic (MLO) System-on-a-Package (SOP) technology, using laminates such as Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) and RT/Duroid®, provides a lightweight and low cost 3D solution for the fabrication of the antenna arrays. The elements of the antenna arrays are rectangular patches. Two feeding mechanisms, aperture coupling and via feed, were implemented and compared. For the RF distribution network and interconnects, a corporate feed approach was used with reactive T-junctions, Wilkinson dividers, or both, for power division. The feed networks were designed using microstrip. The basic multilayer antenna array design consists of 3 layers of cladded laminate material. The metal layers are as follows: 1) patch antennas, 2) ground plane, 3) feed network, and 4) surface-mount components. The surface mount components would include LNA, PA, TR switch and phase shifter.

Phased array antenna (PAA) is a key component in many of the modern military and commercial radar and communication systems requiring highly directional beams with narrow beam widths. One of the advantages that this technology offers is a physical movement-free beam steering. Radar and communication technologies also require the PAA systems to be compact, light weight, demonstrate high bandwidth and electromagnetic interference (EMI) free performance. Conventional electrical phase shifters are inherently narrowband. This calls for technologies that have a larger bandwidth and high immunity to electromagnetic interference. Optical true-time-delay (TTD) technique is an emerging technology that is capable of providing these features along with the ability to provide frequency independent beam steering. Photonic crystal fiber (PCF) based optical TTD lines are capable of providing precise and continuous time delays required for PAA systems. Photonic crystal fibers are a new class of optical fibers with a periodic arrangement of air-holes around a core that can be designed to provide extraordinary optical characteristics which are unrealizable using conventional optical fibers. In this dissertation, highly dispersive photonic crystal fiber structures based on index-guidance and bandgap-guidance were designed. Designs exhibiting dispersion coefficients as large as -9500ps/nm/km and 4000ps/nm/km at 1550nm were presented. A TTD module utilizing a fabricated highly dispersive PCF with a dispersion coefficient of -600ps/nm/km at 1550nm was formed and characterized. The module consisted of 4 delay lines employing highly dispersive PCFs connected with various lengths of non-zero dispersion shifted fibers. By employing PCFs with enhanced dispersion coefficients, the TTD module size can be proportionally reduced. A 4-element linear X-band PAA system using the PCF-TTD module was formed and characterized to provide continuous time delays to steer radiofrequency (RF) beams from -41 degrees to 46 degrees by tuning the wavelength from 1530nm to 1560nm. Using the PCF-TTD based X-Band PAA system, single and simultaneous multiple beam transmission and reception capabilities were demonstrated. Noise and distortion performance characteristics of the entire PAA system were also evaluated and device control parameters were optimized to provide maximum spurious-free-dynamic range. In order to alleviate computational and weight requirements of practical large PAA systems, a sparse array instead of a standard array needs to be used. X-Band sparse array systems using PCF and dispersive fiber TTD technique were formed and RF beam steering was demonstrated. As an important achievement during the research work, the design and fabricated structure of a PCF currently reported to have the highest dispersion coefficient of -5400ps/nm/km at 1549nm, along with its limitations was also presented. Finally, other interesting applications of highly dispersive PCFs in the areas of pulse compression and soliton propagation were explored. / text

The accurate estimation of snow water equivalent (SWE) in the Canadian sub-arctic is integral to climate variability studies and water availability forecasts for economic considerations (drinking water, hydroelectric power generation). Common passive microwave (PM) snow water equivalent (SWE) algorithms that utilize the differences in brightness temperature (Tb) at 37 GHz – 19 GHz falter in lake-rich tundra environments because of the inclusion of lakes within PM pixels. The overarching goal of this research was to investigate the use of multiple platforms and methodologies to observe and quantify the effects of lake ice and sub-ice water on passive microwave emission for the purpose of improving snow water equivalent (SWE) retrieval algorithms. Using in situ snow and ice measurements as input, the Helsinki University of Technology (HUT) multi-layer snow emission model was modified to include an ice layer below the snow layer. Emission for 6.9, 19, 37 and 89 GHz were simulated at horizontal and vertical polarizations, and were validated by high resolution airborne passive microwave measurements coincident with in situ sampling sites over two lakes near Inuvik, Northwest Territories (NWT). Overall, the general magnitude of brightness temperatures were estimated by the HUT model for 6.9 and 19 GHz H/V, however the variability was not. Simulations produced at 37 GHz exhibited the best agreement relative to observed temperatures. However, emission at 37 GHz does not interact with the radiometrically cold water, indicating that ice properties controlling microwave emission are not fully captured by the HUT model. Alternatively, active microwave synthetic aperture radar (SAR) measurements can be used to identify ice properties that affect passive microwave emission. Dual polarized X-band SAR backscatter was utilized to identify ice types by the segmentation program MAGIC (MAp Guided Ice Classification). Airborne passive microwave transects were grouped by ice type classes and compared to backscatter measurements. In freshwater, where there were few areas of high bubble concentration at the ice/water interface Tbs exhibited positive correlations with cross-polarized backscatter, corresponding to ice types (from low to high emission/backscatter: clear ice, transition zone between clear and grey ice, grey ice and rafted ice). SWE algorithms were applied to emission within each ice type producing negative or near zero values in areas of low 19 GHz Tbs (clear ice, transition zone), but also produced positive values that were closer to the range of in situ measurements in areas of high 19 GHz Tbs (grey and rafted ice). Therefore, cross-polarized X-band SAR measurements can be used as a priori ice type information for spaceborne PM algorithms, providing information on ice types and ice characteristics (floating, frozen to bed), integral to future tundra-specific SWE retrieval algorithms.

This thesis describes the design and measurement of an X-band IQ up/down converter that has been fabricated on a 180nm RF CMOS process. This converter includes components for mixing, frequency doubling, quadrature generation, amplification, and limiting. The specific circuit topologies used include passive double-balanced mixers, RC polyphase filters, and injection locked LC oscillators. The converter is part of a transceiver chain that will make up the dedicated circuitry for each active antenna element of a phased-array radar. An active antenna element combines a radiator with its own transceiver subsystem. A phased-array radar, NetRad, is under development at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and will require thousands of active antenna elements. This motivates the need for low-cost integrated solutions. A silicon-based RF CMOS process provides a low-cost candidate technology to fulfill this requirement.

Yes / A new low-cost dual-segmented dielectric resonator (DR) antenna design is proposed for wideband applications in the X-band region. Two DRs coupled to an S-shaped slot introduce interesting features. The antenna performance was characterized in terms of the reflection coefficient, gain, and radiation pattern, and detailed simulation studies indicate excellent antenna performance from 7.66 GHz to 11.2 GHz (37.5% fractional bandwidth) with a maximum gain of 6.0 dBi at 10.6 GHz while the fabricated prototype has a matched bandwidth from 7.8 GHz to 11.85 GHz (41% fractional bandwidth) and maximum gain of 6dBi. The antenna is compact, size 1 x 0.83 x 0.327 time the wavelength at 10 GHz. The two DR segments may be located on the same side or on opposite sides of the substrate, giving respectively improved gain or more uniform field patterns. Experimental testing of the prototype performance showed reasonable agreement with the predicted performance.