Non-Federated Multi-Function KA-Band Exciter System and Method

• US 20090323782A1
• Filed: 04/21/2008
• Published: 12/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Baker, David W., Lo, Chester, Robertson, Ralston S., Blumke, Joel C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,254,433 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/219
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/282 Transmitters

Abstract

Provided is a non-federated multi-function exciter. The non-federated multi-function exciter includes a waveform generator subsystem operable to provide waveforms programmable in time, duration, slope and frequency. A transmission subsystem is coupled to the waveform generator, the transmission subsystem having a first upconverter and a second upconverter coupled to the first upconverter. A communication modulation subsystem is coupled to the second upconverter of the transmission subsystem. A reference clock subsystem coupled to the waveform generator subsystem, the transmit subsystem and the communication modulation subsystem. The non-federated multi-function exciter is operable to generate interleaved radar and communication signals.

Claims

1. A non-federated multi-function exciter, comprising:

a waveform generator subsystem operable to provide waveforms programmable in time, duration, slope and frequency;

a transmission subsystem coupled to the waveform generator, the transmission subsystem having a first upconverter and a second upconverter coupled to the first upconverter;

a communication modulation subsystem coupled to the second upconverter of the transmission subsystem; and

a reference clock subsystem coupled to the waveform generator subsystem, the transmit subsystem and the communication modulation subsystem.

2. The non-federated multi-function exciter of claim 1, wherein the exciter is operable to generate interleaved radar and communication signals.

3. The non-federated multi-function exciter of claim 2, wherein the communication signals are selected from the group consisting of data information and identification information.

4. The non-federated multi-function exciter of claim 3, wherein the identification information is combat identification information.

5. The non-federated multi-function exciter of claim 1, wherein the first upconverter is a Ku-band PLL subsystem.

6. The non-federated multi-function exciter of claim 5, wherein the Ku-band PLL subsystem is operable as an active filter, a waveform stretcher, and an upconverter.

7. The non-federated multi-function exciter of claim 1, wherein the communication modulation subsystem includes a quad-phase shift key modulator.

8. The non-federated multi-function exciter of claim 7, wherein the quad-phase modulator is operable to provide bi-phase modulation.

9. The non-federated multi-function exciter of claim 1, wherein the waveform generator subsystem is a direct digital synthesis waveform generator.

10. The non-federated multi-function exciter of claim 1, wherein the waveform generator subsystem, the transmission subsystem, the communication modulation subsystem and the reference clock subsystem are disposed as a single circuit card assembly.

11. The non-federated multi-function exciter of claim 1, further including:

an RF receiver coupled to the transmission subsystem;

an IF receiver coupled to the RF receiver, the communication modulation subsystem and the reference clock subsystem; and

an A/D converter coupled to the IF receiver and the reference clock subsystem.

12. The non-federated multi-function exciter of claim 1, wherein the exciter is operable in a first instance of radar format to:

generate an oscillating reference waveform using the waveform generator;

upconvert, and stretch the oscillating reference waveform to a Ku-band waveform using the first upconverter; and

upconvert the Ku-band waveform to a Ka-band waveform using the second upconverter, and transmit the generated Ka-band waveform as a radar signal.

13. The non-federated multi-function exciter of claim 1, wherein the exciter is operable in a second instance of communication format to:

park the waveform generator subsystem at a predetermined frequency to generate a low spurious content fixed frequency signal;

upconvert the fixed frequency signal to a fixed frequency Ku-band signal using the first upconverter;

modulate received communication information (X band);

upconvert the modulated communication information with the fixed frequency Ku-band signal using a second upconverter to a modulated Ka-band signal; and

transmit the modulated Ka-band signal as a pulse of communication data.

14. A method of generating interleaved radar and communication signals using a non-federated multi-function exciter, comprising:

determining the transmission operation to be in a first instance a radar format and in a second instance to be a communication format;

in the first instance of radar format;

generating an oscillating reference waveform using a waveform generator;

upconverting the oscillating reference waveform to a Ku-band waveform using a Ku-band PLL subsystem; and

upconverting the Ku-band waveform to a Ka-band waveform using a transmission subsystem, and transmitting the generated Ka-band waveform as a radar signal;

in the second instance of communication format;

parking the waveform generator subsystem at a predetermined frequency to generate a fixed frequency signal;

upconverting the fixed frequency signal to a fixed frequency Ku-band signal using a Ku-band PLL subsystem;

modulating received communication information using a communication modulation subsystem;

upconverting the modulated communication information with the fixed frequency Ku-band signal using a transmission subsystem to a modulated Ka-band signal; and

transmitting the modulated Ka-band signal as a pulse of communication data.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the communication information is identification information, datalink information, or digital voice communications.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein radar signals and communication data are interleaved in real time.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the waveform generator is a direct digital synthesis waveform generator.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the waveform generator is further operable to generate the timing and control functions for the transmission subsystem and the communication modulation subsystem.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the method is performed by components upon a circuit board supporting and interconnecting a waveform generator subsystem, a transmission subsystem, a communication modulation subsystem and a reference clock subsystem.

20. A circuit card assembly, comprising:

a waveform generator subsystem operable to provide waveforms programmable in time, duration, slope and frequency;

a transmission subsystem coupled to the waveform generator, the transmission subsystem having a first upconverter and a second upconverter coupled to the first upconverter;

a communication modulation subsystem coupled to the second upconverter of the transmission subsystem; and

a reference clock subsystem coupled to the waveform generator subsystem, the transmission subsystem and the communication modulation subsystem;

wherein the circuit card assembly is operable as a non-federated multi-function exciter.

21. The circuit card assembly of claim 20, wherein the circuit board is operable to generate interleaved radar and communication signals.

22. The circuit card assembly of claim 20, wherein the circuit board is operable in a first instance of radar format to:

generate an oscillating reference waveform using the waveform generator;

upconvert the oscillating reference waveform to a Ku-band waveform using the first upconverter;

upconvert the Ku-band waveform to a Ka-band waveform using the second upconverter; and

transmit the generated Ka-band waveform as a radar signal;

23. The circuit card assembly of claim 20, wherein the circuit board is operable in a second instance of communication format to:

park the waveform generator subsystem at a predetermined frequency to generate a fixed frequency signal;

upconvert the fixed frequency signal to a fixed frequency Ku-band signal using the first upconverter;

modulate received communication information (X band);

upconvert the modulated communication information with the fixed frequency Ku-band signal using a second upconverter to a modulated Ka-band signal; and

transmit the modulated Ka-band signal as a pulse of communication data.