Receiver protection considerations for T/R modules employed in AESA systems

Modern AESA (active electronically scanned array) phased-array RADAR systems are composed of thousands of T/R (transmit/receive) modules which directly dominate both the performance and the cost of the RADAR system. Therefore, the major task for the T/R module designer is to comply with these challenging requirements. One of the major design issues associated with the front-end architecture of the T/R module is the implementation of the receiver protection circuitry (limiter) which insures both the reliability as well as the proper functionality of the module. All receiver protection considerations must also be linked to the other front-end elements, in particular, the HPA (high power amplifier), the antenna and the receiver chain.