Radar - Multifunction RF Systems

RF systems typically required on a platform include, radar ESM, communications and navigation.

The aim of a multifunction system is to support a number of these systems, thereby minimising the number of antenna apertures and reducing size and cost. The ATC has applied the SOFT approach to multifunction systems where the sub-systems are reconfigurable.

The ATC has designed and built an arbitrary waveform generator using programmable logic. The architecture of the AWG is defined in firmware, and may be altered to suit a given function. Waveforms up to 390us in length can be generated at frequencies up to 66MHz at 12 bit precision.
The waveform transmitted can be changed on a 'pulse by pulse' basis.  
The ATC has applied the SOFT approach to digital receivers. Illustrated is the architecture for a firmware defined receiver. This hardware will support receiver architectures appropriate to radar, ESM and communications functions.
The architectures are constructed using firmware cores, which are held in a library of functions.
A multifunction RF system requires access to an antenna system.
The ATC is developing technology that will allow sections of an antenna array to be dynamically assigned to particular functions. This allows the efficient use of the available aperture in the light of the functions that are required at a given point within a mission. The technology used to implement the routing function is Opto Electronic Integrated Circuit (OEIC).