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Microantenna Arrays: Technology and Applications (MIATA)

Program Manager: Dr. Thomas Kenny

Overview

The Microantenna Arrays: Technology and Applications (MIATA) program is developing microantenna array technology having sensitivity and uniformity equal to that of conventional passive mmW/IR imagers without the need for RF amplifiers. This program is reducing the size, weight, and power consumption of FPA millimeter wave/IR imagers, with special emphasis on technology to combine these mmW microantennas with focal plane array structures operating in the 8-12 micron region. Cooling of these structures is acceptable if the addition of the cooling technology does not add appreciably to the size, weight and power needs of the proposed array of components. Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference (NETD) is being used to measure the performance of detector arrays. To demonstrate the capability of the technology, a minimum NETD of 2 K (in an 8x8 imaging array) at 95 GHz, and 0.02 K (in a 64x64 array) at 8-12 microns is required; this is at the level of current MMIC amplifier and IR FPA performance. A frame rate of 30 Hz is required which is the current level of performance for many pixel (~1000) video frame-rate imagers.

Vision Statement

A unique situation exists at 95 GHz. There is a relatively deep, broad window in the atmospheric absorption spectrum. The wavelength at 95 GHz is approximately 3 mm, permitting sufficient resolution for useful imaging, and reasonably sized arrays and optics. In addition to the atmospheric window, mmW radiation is relatively penetrating for obscurants such as smoke, dust, fog, and clouds. There is, thus, an important "application pull" for the development of imaging techniques at 95 GHz. The potential applications for the military include helicopter obstacle avoidance in fog and clouds; concealed weapons detection; helicopter landing aid in fog; foul weather navigation; fire hot-spot location through smoke; missile guidance in dust and smoke; and military personnel extraction. An especially important aspect of this application pull is combined mmW/IR imaging, which leads to an overall enhancement of imaging capability. For this reason, dual frequency focal plane arrays are included as an optional part of the MIATA program. MIATA is also driven by an accompanying "technology push". Advances in diode design and fabrication, and conceptual advances in bolometers have opened up the possibility of simple, direct detection of radiation at mmW frequencies, enabling reductions in size, weight, and power consumption. Additionally, there is potential for novel detection schemes, e.g. making use of electrooptic modulation and demodulation, which promise unprecedented sensitivities at these frequencies.