RF Photonic, In-Situ, Real-Time Phased Array Antenna Calibration System

摘要

The next generation of Navy ships will incorporate the latest in advanced electronics, weapon systems and antenna aperture structures to support the future needs of the Navy. Phased array antennas are typically comprised of 1000's of elements and are able to electronically steer multiple beams throughout a prescribed sector to provide both search and targeting information. This very timely information is usually integrated with other systems onboard a platform for use in situation awareness. Currently, without proper and frequent calibration, signal errors from environmental fluctuations and component aging result in diminished performance of the array. Due to the complex and dynamic nature of these active aperture systems, real-time system calibration will be required to maintain the ability to operate at the high level of performance necessary to carry out a platform mission. A collaborative effort between the Radar Division and Optical Sciences Division of the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory has successfully demonstrated a system with performance suitable for in-situ, real-time calibration of shipboard phased array antennas.