Abstract :
This article gives an overview of applications of radio frequency (RF) microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technology in radio detection and ranging (radar). RF MEMS components for radar include attenuators, limiters, (true-time-delay) phase shifters, transmit/receive (T/R) switches and tunable matching networks. Radar subsystems that benefit from RF MEMS technology include active electronically scanned arrays (T/R modules), passive electronically scanned arrays (lenses, reflect arrays, subarrays, and switched beamformers), and radomes. Using a bottom-up approach, the figures of merit for RF MEMS technology are related to the figures of merit for radar subsystems. The article also discusses ultrawideband RF MEMS reflect array and T/R module design as examples. First, electronically scanned array, radar and RF MEMS fundamentals are briefly introduced.
Keywords :
antenna arrays; micromechanical devices; radar antennas; reflector antennas; RF MEMS component; T-R module design; active electronically scanned array; attenuator; figures of merit; limiter; passive electronically scanned array; phase shifter; radar; radio detection and ranging; radio frequency microelectromechanical system; radome; transmit-receive switch; tunable matching network; ultrawideband RF MEMS reflect array; Attenuators; Microelectromechanical systems; Micromechanical devices; Passive radar; Phase shifters; Radar applications; Radar detection; Radio frequency; Radiofrequency microelectromechanical systems; Switches;
