Demonstration of an Active Electronically Scanned Array on a Conic Surface

Previous work on RF conformal array design has been limited to synthesizing arrays without benefit of individual radiating element phase and amplitude control. With recent advances in transmitreceive TIR module technology, the need for validated analysis tools to evaluate conformal designs using active electronically scanned arrays AESAs becomes more pressing. Potential applications for this type of technology are numerous. The work discussed here focuses on conformal missile seekers for SDIO Strategic Defense Initiative Organization, but the analysis tools under development have the capability to analyze a variety of conformal surfaces. The program has two phases. In phase one the analysissynthesis capability is developed. In phase two, hardware tests to validate the analysis efforts are conducted. A funding cut terminated this work at the end of fiscal year 1992 FY 92. Work completed on both phases is summarized in this document.