RF beam transmission of x-band PAA system utilizing large-area, polymer-based true-time-delay module developed using imprinting and inkjet printing

Zeyu Pan; Harish Subbaraman; Cheng Zhang; Qiaochu Li; Xiaochuan Xu; Xiangning Chen; Xingyu Zhang; Yi Zou; Ashwin Panday; L. Jay Guo; Ray T. Chen

doi:10.1117/12.2213809

2 May 2016 RF beam transmission of x-band PAA system utilizing large-area, polymer-based true-time-delay module developed using imprinting and inkjet printing

Zeyu Pan, Harish Subbaraman, Cheng Zhang, Qiaochu Li, Xiaochuan Xu, Xiangning Chen, Xingyu Zhang, Yi Zou, Ashwin Panday, L. Jay Guo, Ray T. Chen

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9747, Terahertz, RF, Millimeter, and Submillimeter-Wave Technology and Applications IX; 97471T (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2213809
Event: SPIE OPTO, 2016, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Phased-array antenna (PAA) technology plays a significant role in modern day radar and communication networks. Truetime- delay (TTD) enabled beam steering networks provide several advantages over their electronic counterparts, including squint-free beam steering, low RF loss, immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI), and large bandwidth control of PAAs. Chip-scale and integrated TTD modules promise a miniaturized, light-weight system; however, the modules are still rigid and they require complex packaging solutions. Moreover, the total achievable time delay is still restricted by the wafer size. In this work, we propose a light-weight and large-area, true-time-delay beamforming network that can be fabricated on light-weight and flexible/rigid surfaces utilizing low-cost “printing” techniques. In order to prove the feasibility of the approach, a 2-bit thermo-optic polymer TTD network is developed using a combination of imprinting and ink-jet printing. RF beam steering of a 1×4 X-band PAA up to 60° is demonstrated. The development of such active components on large area, light-weight, and low-cost substrates promises significant improvement in size, weight, and power (SWaP) requirements over the state-of-the-art.

Citation Download Citation

Zeyu Pan, Harish Subbaraman, Cheng Zhang, Qiaochu Li, Xiaochuan Xu, Xiangning Chen, Xingyu Zhang, Yi Zou, Ashwin Panday, L. Jay Guo, and Ray T. Chen "RF beam transmission of x-band PAA system utilizing large-area, polymer-based true-time-delay module developed using imprinting and inkjet printing", Proc. SPIE 9747, Terahertz, RF, Millimeter, and Submillimeter-Wave Technology and Applications IX, 97471T (2 May 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2213809

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