Powerful ultra-wideband impulse sources are currently developed for application to high resolution impulse radar, material penetrating radar, susceptibility testing, ECM, high power jammers, and covert communications. One approach to radiating the narrow impulses uses laser controlled photoconductive solid state switching (PCSS) to coherently drive arrays of multiple radiating antennas. Because the laser controlled switches can be triggered with low jitter, this modular approach allows efficient beam forming and steering. For some applications alternative low jitter triggered switches which are small, inexpensive, and have very long lifetimes are needed. For example, a compact array powered by miniature synchronized pulsers could be used for ground surveillance radar, as a covert communications link, and also as a convenient source for RCS measurements and antenna calibration. We will develop a solid-state switched array impulse source for these applications. The solid-state switched array impulse sources could also be used as lightweight impulse radar transmitters for airborne radar systems for detecting and identifying surface or sub-surface UXO and land mines and for military target discrimination at long range. The triggered solid-state switches could be used directly as Pockels cell drivers, laser drivers, and for laboratory pulse generators.
Benefits: The switched array impulse source will be inexpensive to produce since it is based on standard components. In addition to military applications, the source will find wide commercial application in ground penetrating radar, as a concealed weapon detection and identification radar system, for an automotive collision avoidance radar, and also as a laboratory impulse for RCS measurements and antenna calibrations.
