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Phased Array Radars. Naval Weapons Systems. Limitations of Mechanical Scanning Radars. Positioning Antenna is SLOW Reduced reaction times Blind Sided! Mechanical error. Electronic Scanning. Increased Data Rates Instantaneous Beam Positioning Elimination of Mechanical Errors
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Phased Array Radars Naval Weapons Systems
Limitations of Mechanical Scanning Radars • Positioning Antenna is SLOW • Reduced reaction times • Blind Sided! • Mechanical error
Electronic Scanning • Increased Data Rates • Instantaneous Beam Positioning • Elimination of Mechanical Errors • Multi-mode Operation • Multi-target capability
Phase Concept Think about this: 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 a point in phase.
Phase Relationships • Constructive Interference • Destructive Interference
Wave Fronts of Maximum Energy Beam Axis Boresight Boresight Axis Axis Altering the Phase to Radiating in Phase Change the Axis Generating a Directional Main Lobe in a Phased Array Radar
Beam Positioning P 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
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.
Wave guide feed horns Case #1 All Waves transmitted Wave guide are in phase Case #2 Waves transmitted are phase Wave guide shifted Frequency Scanning
Methods of Beam Steering • Phase Scanning • Radiating elements fed by phase-shifting networks (Phasers) • Phasers are electronically adjustable • More expensive, than frequency scanning but cheaper than time delay • Most widely used – SPY!
Phase Scanning Phasers!!
Fleet Uses of Electronic Scanning • Ticonderoga • Arleigh Burke • SPS-48 Air Search
Synthetic Aperture Array Radar * Uses the same theory of electronic scanning. * Motion of the target used as the antenna aperture * Sequential instead of simultaneous * High resolution imaging from aircraft
Electronic Scanning Summary • Electronic scanning is GROOVY! • Yeah Baby, Yeah!!! • Multiple functions • Search • Track (so, TWS) • Beam Steering • Time delay, Frequency, and Phase scanning • VERY BASIC LOOK AT ELECTRONIC SCANNING!