Planar receiving multichannel modules AFAR X-band based on LTCC ceramics-Made in Russia

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Planar AFAR have significant advantages in weight and size characteristics compared with other solutions. At times, the mass and thickness of the sheet AFAR decreases. This allows their use in compact radar homing heads, on board a UAV and for a new class of antenna systems - conformal antenna arrays, i.e. repeating the shape of the object. Such grids, for example, are needed to create the next, sixth generation fighter.



JSC NIIPP is developing multi-channel integrated planar receiving and transmitting modules of AFAR using LTCC ceramics technology, which include all elements of the AFAR web (active elements, antenna radiators, microwave signal distribution and control systems, secondary power supply, control digital controller with interface circuit, liquid cooling system) and are functionally complete device. The modules allow their integration into antenna arrays of any size, and with a considerable amount of own integration, there are minimal requirements for the supporting structure, which should integrate such modules. This greatly simplifies for end users the task of creating an AFAR based on such modules.



Thanks to the original design solutions and the use of new and promising materials, such as low-temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC), composite materials, multi-layer microchannel liquid cooling structures developed by NIIPP, highly integrated planar PPM AFAR differ:

• record low weight and size characteristics;
• high reliability and maintainability;
• high manufacturability and low cost.







NIIPP JSC is ready to develop and organize mass production of planar receiving, transmitting and transmitting / receiving modules of AFAR of S, C, X, Ku, Ka ranges, according to the requirements of the interested customer.







NIIPP has the most advanced positions in Russia and in the world in the field of developing planar AFAR modules using LTCC ceramics technology.

Planar receiving multichannel modules AFAR X-band based on LTCC ceramics-Made in Russia


Quote:
planar, functionally complete design with integrated antenna elements
record low thickness - 13 mm
high resistance to WWF microwave submodules from LTCC ceramics
high processability, repeatability and stability of parameters
integrated high-speed synchronous serial control interface
possibility of combining modules to create antennas of any size


The results of the research and development complex in the field of GaAs and SiGe microwave monolithic integrated circuits, element libraries and CAD modules made at Tomsk University of control systems and radio electronics.
The noise figure of the developed amplifiers is 1,4-1,6 dB, while their analogs have the 2511, HMC2512 and HMC564 (USA) Trixint and Hittite (USA) models from the 565 to 1,5 dB.



In 2015, the NOC NT began work on the design of the microwave IIA for a universal multiband multichannel transceiver (L, S and C bands) as a system-on-chip (SoC). To date, based on 0,25 micron SiGe BiCMOS technology, the MIS designed the following broadband microwave devices (1-4,5 GHz frequency band): LNA, mixer, digital controlled attenuator (TsATT), and also TsATT control circuit.

Conclusion: In the near future, the “problem” of the radar for the Yak-130, the UAV, the GOS for the KR and OTR will be solved at a very serious level. With a high degree of probability, one can actually assume “a product that has no analogues in the world”. AFAR "in the weight category" 60-80 kg (I will keep silence on the radar weight required for the YAK-130 220kg-270k)? Yes Easy. Is there any desire to get a full-fledged 30 kg AFAR?

In the meantime ... For now, "the situation is like this":

At the Singapore Airshow-2016 Singapore Air Show held in February, a promising Russian fighter PAK FA has received several critical remarks from a representative of the company "Lockheed Martin" - The manufacturer of the fifth-generation multipurpose fighter F-35. He, in particular, said that only one property of radar stealth (“stealth”), which the PAK FA has, is not enough to classify the aircraft to this generation, apparently hinting at insufficiently advanced airborne radioelectronic equipment (TIR) ​​T-50 .

At the same time, his assessment coincided with the opinion of a number of "experts" from Russia, who believe that PAK FA will have problems selling to the Asian market. They say that the onboard systems have too few fifth-generation technologies, and the price of the PAK FA, according to forecasts, will be significantly higher than on the Su-35, which is of interest to China and Indonesia. According to IHS Jane's Internet resource, the radar and the engine of the PAK FA (the main subsystem of the fighter) are the same as on the Su-35. Part of the avionics aboard the T-50 and Su-35 are also identical. Su-35 for all that belongs to the generation of 4 ++.


LA serial yet. Russia didn’t even think about selling it to China and Indonesia (here it would be possible to figure out the SU-35), however ... However, a representative of Lockheed Martin and a number of "experts" from Russia are already predicting: it will be expensive, there will be problems with selling to China and Indonesia. Sometimes. From stories "backwardness" of avionics of Russian / Soviet manufacture for a number of "experts" from Russia, for reference:

GaN and its solid solutions are among the most sought-after and promising materials of modern electronics. Works in this direction are conducted all over the world, conferences and seminars are regularly organized, which contributes to the rapid development of the technology for creating electronic and optoelectronic devices based on GaN. The breakthrough is observed both in the parameters of the LED structures based on GaN and its solid solutions, and in the characteristics of the PPM on gallium nitride is an order of magnitude higher than that of gallium arsenide devices.



During 2010, field effect transistors with Ft = 77,3 GHz and Fmax = 177 GHz were manufactured using domestic AlGaN / AlN / GaN heterostructures (CJSC Elma-Malakhit) at the Institute of Microwave Semiconductor Electronics (ISHFES), Russian Academy of Sciences, with a gain in power over 11,5 dB at 35 GHz. On the basis of these transistors, for the first time in Russia, the MIS of a three-stage power amplifier in the frequency range 27–37 GHz with Kp> 20 dB and a maximum output power of 300 mW in a pulsed mode was developed and successfully implemented. In accordance with the Federal Target Program "Development of Electronic Component Base and Radio Electronics", further development of scientific and applied research in this direction is expected. In particular - the development of InAlN / AlN / GaN heterostructures for the creation of devices with operating frequencies of 30-100 GHz, with the participation of leading domestic enterprises and institutes (FSUE NPP Pulsar, FSUE NPP Istok, ZAO Elma-Malakhit, JSC "Svetlana-Rost", ISHPE RAS, etc.).

The parameters of domestic heterostructures and transistors with the optimal length of the gates on their basis (calculation):


It has been established experimentally that for the Ka-band, the 2-type heterostructures with tb = 15 nm are optimal, of which V-1400 ("Elma-Malachite") on a SiC substrate that provides transistors has the best parameters. with an initial current of up to 1,1 A / mm with a maximum slope of up to 380 mA / mm and a cut-off voltage of -4 B. At the same time, field-effect transistors with LG = 180 nm (LG / tB = 12) have fT / fMAX = 62 / 130 GHz without short-channel effects, which is optimal for PA Ka-band. At the same time, transistors with LG = 100 nm (LG / tB = 8) on the same structure have higher frequencies fT / fMAX = 77 / 161 GHz, that is, they can be used in higher frequency V- and E-bands, but due to short-channel effects are not optimal for these frequencies.

Let's look together the most advanced "alien" and our radar:









Retro: “Pharaoh-M” airborne radar station (it was planned to be installed on Su-34, 1.44, “Golden Eagle”). Diameter of beam 500 mm. Inequilibrium phased array "Phazotron". Sometimes they call her also "Spear-F".


Explanation:
Planar technology - a set of technological operations used in the manufacture of planar (flat, surface) semiconductor devices and integrated circuits.
Application:
-for antennas: BlueTooth planar antenna systems in cell phones.

- for converters IP and PT: Planar transformers Marathon, Zettler Magnetics or Payton.


- for SMD transistors
etc. see the patent of the Russian Federation RU2303843 for more details.

LTCC ceramics:
Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramic (LTCC) is a low-temperature co-fired ceramic technology used to create microwave emitting devices, including Bluetooth and WiFi modules in many smartphones. It is widely known for the use in the manufacture of AFAR radars of the fifth generation fighter T-50 and tank fourth generation T-14.



The essence of the technology lies in the fact that the device is made like a printed circuit board, but located in the molten glass. "Low temperature" means that roasting is carried out at temperatures around 1000C instead of 2500C for HTCC technology, when it is possible to use not very expensive high-temperature components of molybdenum and tungsten in HTCC, but also cheaper copper in gold and silver alloys.

Used documents and photographs (all information is taken from an open press):
http://www.niipp.ru (Материалы АО " НИИП")
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org
http://www.nanoindustry.s
http://wikipedia.org
http://icquest.ru
https://news.rambler.ru
PLANAR-BNK Presentation of the Tech Project 121030 (Monastyrev EA, Deputy Director for Science, Head of 101 Department)
Microwave and Telecommunication Technology (CriMiCo), 2011 21th International Crimean Conference / 21-th Crimean Conference "High-frequency equipment and telecommunication technologies" 2011
EXCHANGE OF EXPERIENCES IN THE FIELD OF CREATING ULTRA BROADBAND RADIO ELECTRON SYSTEMS
Proceedings of the VI All-Russian Scientific and Technical Conference (Omsk, 19 – 20 April 2016)
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22 comments
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  1. +3
    1 October 2016 08: 51
    Conclusion: in the near future the "problem" of radar for the Yak-130, UAV, seeker for the KR and OTR will be resolved at a very serious level. With a high degree of probability, we can assume that there is virtually no analogue in the world product. AFAR "in the weight category" 60-80 kg (about the required for the YAK-130 220kg-270kg radar mass I will keep silent)? Yes Easy. Is there any desire to get a full 30 kg of AFAR?


    in modern combat, whoever saw the first one won, and for this, the best radar is needed. If the Tomsk Scientific Research Institute can offer ready-made technology, then the Moscow Region should begin financing and production at some of the plants.
    But when production comes to the budgets, then problems begin to arise, there is no money, we will postpone it to 20g, and even better until 30g, when the money appears, so that ours rushed forward does not mean that it will all go into series in the near future.
    1. 0
      1 October 2016 17: 20
      Quote: Thought
      in the first battle, whoever saw the first, he won, and for this we need the best radar

      You are right, but there are subtleties associated with the unmasking radiation of the radar itself + EW tools, which very effectively suppress any active radar.
      One of the fundamental ways to solve this problem is to solve the problems of active radar using passive methods. for instance
      http://www.freepatent.ru/patents/2240576 т.е. нужно использовать энергию излучения других источников, например навигационных спутников или спутников связи. Во первых, принцип работы получается как в разнесенной радиолокации и геометрия самолета в технологии "Стелс" просто перестает работать. Во вторых, чем сложнее электромагнитная обстановка, тем лучше работают радары данного типа. И самое главное это конечно отсутствие собственного демаскирующего излучения.
      1. +4
        1 October 2016 17: 59
        It is impossible to suppress EW radar with AFAR - the multichannel AFAR spatially determines the location of the EW radiation source and "cuts" it out of its field of view.
        1. +1
          1 October 2016 18: 43
          Quote: Operator
          Radar with AFAR is impossible to suppress electronic warfare

          The only advantage of AFAR is its good spatial selection ability on the near side lobes of the bottom of the bottom. But it is not possible to fully implement adaptive AFAR, it is a mathematical abstraction. But even with the coefficient of suppression of noise along the side lobes of -20 ... - 25dB (this is the theoretical limit for any headlights), it is possible to suppress any active radar from almost the radio horizon, the main thing is to detect the fact of radiation. Too big a difference for radar and electronic warfare in the dependence of the detection range (suppression) on the radiation energy (root of the 4th degree and root of the 2nd degree, respectively).
          1. +1
            1 October 2016 18: 56
            The side lobes in the case of AFAR have nothing to do with it - the spatial resolution of the antenna, which consists of hundreds and thousands of completely independent transceiver modules (mini-antennas), is too high.

            Now the issue of recognizing with the help of AFAR (operating in searchlight mode) the types of aircraft by their radar image with a resolution of up to 30 cm in the X-band radiation is being solved.
            1. +4
              1 October 2016 22: 51
              Quote: Operator
              It is impossible to suppress EW radar with AFAR - the multichannel AFAR spatially determines the location of the EW radiation source and "cuts" it out of its field of view.

              ... if it is stupid to "press the frequency" ... but modern electronic warfare / electronic warfare systems work much more subtle ... returning the radar to its "own" signal with invalid coordinates ...
              Quote: Vita VKO
              Too big a difference for radar and electronic warfare in the dependence of the detection range (suppression) on the radiation energy (root of the 4th degree and root of the 2nd degree, respectively).

              ... no matter what the power in the radiating path, at least 50 MW ... the receiving one is still in milliwatts, or even lower ... here all the cards are in the hands of electronic warfare / electronic warfare ... hi
              Quote: Operator
              Now the issue of recognizing with the help of AFAR (operating in searchlight mode) the types of aircraft by their radar image with a resolution of up to 30 cm in the X-band radiation is being solved.

              ... while about this conversation was only for our radar ... with a brief telescopic mode ... there we will see later ... having such a radar we are able to build and means to combat it ... hi
              Auto RU: ... bow low, I haven’t read it with pleasure for a long time ... hi ... although yesterday, on the topic of IL-76MD-90A I was about to put it on my belts for comment ... wink
            2. 0
              2 October 2016 14: 16
              Quote: Operator
              too high spatial resolution of the antenna, consisting of hundreds and thousands of completely independent transceiver modules
              Resolution in angular coordinates depends on the ratio of wavelength to antenna size, and resolution in range from the width of the signal spectrum. What does the number of modules have to do with it?
              Quote: Operator
              the issue of recognition with the help of AFAR (working in the spotlight mode) types is solved

              This problem was solved on the radar 22Zh6 even on the old element base. The problem is that in the super-resolution mode, which is necessary to obtain a radar portrait, the energy of the reflected signal decreases somewhat, i.e. detection range decreases by 1,5 - 2 times.
              Quote: Operator
              ... if it is stupid to "press the frequency" ... but modern electronic warfare / electronic warfare systems work much more subtle ... returning the radar to its "own" signal with invalid coordinates ...
              EW tools work smarter; in response, no less intelligent radars are created. As a result, all the same, everything rests on the usual physics of power struggle, where classic active radars have no chance.
  2. +1
    1 October 2016 09: 19
    and a fourth-generation tank T-14.

    But for the AFAR tank, why? HEADLIGHT is enough for him - it’s cheaper, and the functionality is the same, the only thing is that reliability is lower, but this is not a plane, this is not so critical for a tank.
    1. +2
      1 October 2016 11: 37
      Quote: Gray Brother
      and a fourth-generation tank T-14.

      But for the AFAR tank, why? HEADLIGHT is enough for him - it’s cheaper, and the functionality is the same, the only thing is that reliability is lower, but this is not a plane, this is not so critical for a tank.

      Here I probably will not agree with you. If most of the tank’s self-defense complex is tied to counter-fire from the DBM, which is aimed with the help of AFAR, then reliability would not hurt, otherwise it will only rely on KAZ and DZ
      1. +2
        1 October 2016 12: 05
        On the other hand, you can’t hide the grill anywhere, it turns out that this is a consumable. They’ll take it down.
        If you put the headlamp, you can at least hide the transmitter under the armor. And in AFAR, the transmitting modules are located directly on the grate - it will cost more and the new one will be longer to manufacture.
        In addition, in armored vehicles, I think, the radar will not be used so intensively as in aviation, this plane must be switched on every time it takes off, not even a battle, but in a simple flight, because without radar it can do little, but not the tank, so that for him the question of reliability is not so urgent - the intensity of use is lower, therefore, the likelihood of failure is also lower.
        1. 0
          2 October 2016 14: 21
          Quote: Gray Brother
          On the other hand, you can’t hide the grill anywhere, it turns out that this is a consumable

          AFAR, unlike a conventional mirror antenna, is very easy to hide under ordinary glass armor. Moreover, it can even be put upside down, electronic scanning is all the same.
          1. 0
            2 October 2016 14: 45
            An AFAR on a tank is mounted under a ceramic armored panel that can withstand large-caliber bullets and fragments of artillery shells.
            1. 0
              3 October 2016 06: 05
              Quote: Operator
              The headlamp on the tank is mounted under a ceramic armored panel withstanding large-caliber bullets and fragments of artillery shells.

              I found it myself. "cap" there, no glass and armor panels are visible.
  3. +2
    1 October 2016 14: 15
    Yes, everything is there more or less with production. There is a Mikran enterprise in Tomsk that produces all this.
  4. +1
    1 October 2016 17: 18
    What about coils and transformers? We did such wonderful things 5 ​​years ago. I believed that technologists embodied in the mouth.
  5. 0
    1 October 2016 19: 47
    All the same, not too detailed information is laid out? Or for initiates, is all this an open secret?
    1. +2
      1 October 2016 21: 27
      Quote: fzr1000
      Or for initiates, is all this an open secret?

      Well, as indicated:
      Used documents and photographs (all information taken from an open press)

      It is a pity that such flocks just read a little ... But then they crush and jam everywhere and everything is a great success with almost every fifth commentary.
  6. 0
    1 October 2016 23: 27
    Inok10,
    Returning to the radar a copy of its own signal with a time delay (multiple echo) is used to simulate many targets.

    It is recognized using a pseudo-random change in the periodicity of the pulses of radar radiation. Outdated electronic warfare technology.
  7. 0
    2 October 2016 14: 56
    Vita VKO,
    That's what it is - in AFAR, the ratio of the wavelength and dimensions of each mini-antenna (PPM) is equal to 4 to 1.

    In AFAR, the range in the searchlight / telescopic mode does not drop, since the same radiation energy per unit time of all anti-missile systems falls on a smaller sector of space.

    The third quote you cited is not mine.
    1. 0
      2 October 2016 20: 27
      Quote: Operator
      the ratio of the wavelength and dimensions of each mini-antenna (PPM) is 4 to 1.

      The PPM antenna is usually a quarter-wave vibrator or slot, there are half-wave, but rarely and only at fixed frequencies. If the size of the vibrator is more than half the length, the radiation pattern bifurcates, the level of the side lobes sharply increases and there is no point in talking about the directionality. In short, complete garbage is obtained.
  8. +1
    3 October 2016 14: 20
    Gray brother,
    The photo shows a plastic plug in place of the AFAR. In the combat version, it looks like this (in the lower left corner of the photo)

  9. +1
    3 October 2016 18: 35
    Inok10,
    Quote: Inok10
    To the author: ... a low bow, I haven’t read it with pleasure for a long time ... ... although yesterday, on the topic of IL-76MD-90, I almost wanted to put it on my belts for comment ..

    hi
    For sho? (cut something)

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