Tightly-Coupled Ultra-Wideband Phased Arrays for Interceptor Communications

XCOM Wireless is a component developer focusing on advanced technology switching and tuning products for Defense customers and commercial test equipment.The Ohio State University is committed to the design and characterization of highly integrated antenna arrays.Both teams have component, module, and electronically steerable antenna (ESA) design experience through Ka-band with a variety of circuit and array architectures.In this program, XCOM and OSU team up to design Ku to Ka-band phase shifters and ESA subarrays using long-life piezoelectric micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and meta-materials being commercialized under cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA).The team will begin by assessing present phase shifter and subarray designs to identify material change and risk elements associated with adding conformability.In Phase I, the team will complete initial designs for each element, phase shifter, and feed to operate at targeted frequency bands.The team will add interface elements and power combining circuitry into subarray and array models, supporting multiple beams.An engineering trade-off analysis will compare array size, capabilities (including gain, field of view, and bandwidth), and multiplexing options for supporting simultaneous data links between the two systems.(Approved for Public Release 15-MDA-8482 (17 November 15))