Emerging technologies for modern communications and radar systems

This paper discussed a variety of enabling technologies that complement the realization of highly integrated, multifunctional transceiver based systems. Key examples of reconfigurable components will be presented. Adaptive analog front end technology will be discussed to complement digital signal processing to realize mixed signal solutions that provide for fast, flexible and low power consumption with minimal resources. Examples of adaptable analog technologies include adaptable filtering and multi-resolution spectral processing and adaptable, reconfigurable antennas and matching networks. One example is a a highly integrated all CMOS UHF receiver with spectral sensing in 180 nm CMOS with ~1M gates and 100mW total power consumption. In the future, an order of magnitude increase in integration and an order of magnitude reduction in power consumption is expected. Complementary technology for a digital phased array will also be discussed. Required hardware and signal processing capabilities are being developed as part of an integrated digital array radar antenna/prototype. Very high power solid state wideband gap technology is being used together with low cost surface mount technology to realize a low cost, air cooled, light weight antenna array.