High Power T/R Module for C-Band Active Phased Arrays

Advanced active phased arrays for ground, board, and space applications, based on a large number of radiators, are critically dependent on the availability of low cost, small size, low weight, highly reliable and reproducible T/R Modules [1]. This paper describes the architecture, realization and measured performance data of a high power T/R Module for a multifunctional active phased array for ground and ship based applications. The performance across more than 10 % bandwidth in C-band includes an output power (PldB) up to 38.3 dBm, power efficiency of 21.6 %, maximum overall noise figure of 4.8 dB and amplitude control of more than 18 dB. RF signal control in Tx- and Rx-mode are performed by an attenuator and high resolution phase shifter. The T/R Module topology incorporates a compact control logic, requires only three bias voltages, and utilizes an advanced multilayer structure, which results in a volume compatible with a half wavelength grid spacing.