Abstract: A test system is presented for validating and calibrating an active electronically scanned array (AESA) with multiple distinct transceiver elements and associated RF channels. The test system includes a static mount for the AESA, and a test probe fixedly located relative to the static mount. The system also includes a network analyzer connected to the AESA and the test probe, and a test processor connected to the network analyzer. The network analyzer provides RF evaluations of amplitudes and phases/time delays to the test processor, which estimates far field (FF) patterns of the AESA based on these inputs and assessments of free space path losses and propagation delays between the AESA and the test probe. The test processor calculates FF figures of merit (FoMs) for the AESA as a function of frequency, beam scan, and environmentals based on the estimated FF patterns, and validates the AESA based on these FF FoMs.

Abstract: A test system is presented for validating and calibrating an active electronically scanned array (AESA) with multiple distinct transceiver elements and associated RF channels. The test system includes a static mount for the AESA, and a test probe fixedly located relative to the static mount. The system also includes a network analyzer connected to the AESA and the test probe, and a test processor connected to the network analyzer. The network analyzer provides RF evaluations of amplitudes and phases/time delays to the test processor, which estimates far field (FF) patterns of the AESA based on these inputs and assessments of free space path losses and propagation delays between the AESA and the test probe. The test processor calculates FF figures of merit (FoMs) for the AESA as a function of frequency, beam scan, and environmentals based on the estimated FF patterns, and validates the AESA based on these FF FoMs.

Abstract: A monopulse active electronically scanned array (AESA) system includes a phased array of RF channels each having an associated emitter element. A method of operating this system includes identifying a desired nulling location, and computationally optimizing theoretical aperture patterns for the AESA system to align geographically coincident nulls of multiple beams of the AESA system with the desired nulling location, the theoretical aperture patterns including nominal values of gain and a time-based parameter (e.g., phase or time delay) for each of the RF channels. Actual values of the gain and time-based parameter for each RF channel corresponding to these nominal values are calibrated by iteratively bisecting gain and time-based parameter tables, respectively, through successively narrower rangers converging on nominal values. The RF channels are then driven according to these calibrated actual time-based parameter and gain values.

Abstract: A method is presented for maximizing equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP) of an active electronically scanned array (AESA) system. This AESA system includes a phased array of radio-frequency (RF) channels each having an associated emitter element. A desired nulling location is first identified, constituting a spatial location for transmission nulling relative to the phased array. Theoretical aperture patterns for the AESA system are computed to maximize radiated power while aligning a geographical null of a beam of the AESA system with the desired nulling location. These theoretical aperture patterns include nominal values of gain and a time-based parameter (e.g. phase or time delay) for each RF channel.