Microwave and Millimetre-Wave Staring Array Technology

This paper describes a multiple-beam, focal plane array technology which has evolved from microwave lens-fed receiver research, and has been developed to demonstrate a 35 GHz staring array radar. The key features of any sensor which exploits this technology are that it has no moving parts, and can accurately "look" in many independent directions simultaneously. In addition the arrays are based on integrated circuitry with the potential for full monolithic implementation in low cost silicon or GaAs. Associated research has shown that scaled versions of the technology are applicable to a range of operating frequencies from below 10 GHz up to 94 GHz. It therefore represents a less complex alternative to phased array technology for higher frequencies, and offers considerable advantages over conventional, mechanically scanned sensor hardware in terms of performance, cost, volume, weight, and reliability.