Mitsuyoshi Shinonaga

Low-profile high-sensitivity sub-array module with HTS filters for an active phased array antenna

We have developed a low-profile high-sensitivity sub-array module for an active phased array antenna. By using this sub-array module, a low noise receiving antenna can be easily available for wireless applications such as radar systems, communication systems, and so on. In this paper, we describe the new 16 elements S-band multichannel receiving sub-array module using high-temperature superconducting (HTS) filters as a key component for an active phased array antenna. Each receiving channel correspond to an antenna element consists of a HTS filter, a low noise amplifier (LNA), and interface circuits. In the sub-array module, 16 channel circuits are contained within a 200 mm×240 mm×30 mm vacuum chamber and cooled by a small cooler to 77 K. By using HTS filters and the cooler, feed-line loss and internal noise can be substantially reduced. Therefore, high sensitivity for an active phased array antenna can be realized. Additionally, radio wave interferences can be suppressed effectively by sharp frequency selectivity of the HTS filter with high-Q factor.

High-sensitivity receiving sub-array module with HTS filters for an active phased array antenna

We have developed a high sensitivity receiving sub-array module for an active phased array antenna. By this sub-array module, a low noise receiving antenna can be easily available for wireless applications such as communication systems, radar systems, and so on. In this paper, we describe the 16 elements S-band multichannel receiving sub-array module using high-temperature superconducting (HTS) filters as a key component for an active phased array antenna. Each receiving channel correspond to an antenna element consists of a limiter, a HTS filter, a low noise amplifier (LNA) and interface circuits. In the sub-array module, 16 channel circuits are contained within a 200 mm × 240 mm × 100 mm vacuum chamber and cooled by a common stirling cooler to 77 K. By using HTS filters and the cooler, feed-line loss and internal noise can be substantially reduced. Therefore, high sensitivity for an active phased array antenna can be realized. Additionally, radio wave interferences can be suppressed effectively by sharp frequency selectivity of the HTS filter with high-Q factor.

Superconducting sub-array module as T/R module for X-band active phased array antenna

We have developed a high-sensitivity superconducting sub-array module for an X-band active phased array antenna. This sub-array module can be assumed as a multichannel T/R module with 16 antenna elements. And the module also includes 16 transmitting (TX) channels and 16 receiving (RX) channels with high-Tc superconducting (HTS) filters. By means of this sub-array module, a high-sensitivity antenna can be easily available for wireless applications such as communication systems and radar systems. In this paper, we describe the newly developed X-band superconducting sub-array module that is applicable as a key component for an active phased array antenna. In particular, each Rx channel contains a cryogenic circuit that mainly consists of HTS filters and a low-noise amplifier (LNA) cooled at 77 K for low insertion loss and low internal noise. 16 cryogenic circuits are contained within a 100 mm×100 mm×36.5 mm vacuum chamber and cooled by a small cooler. By using HTS filters and cooling, noise temperature of the RX channels was reduced to less than 60 K and naturally the high-sensitivity X-band sub-array module was realized. Additionally, the features of the sub-array module, such as low amplitude deviation and good phase linearity, indicated that both TX channels and RX channels were appropriate for an active phased array antenna.