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Date of Award
9-2012
Access Type
Campus Access
Document type
dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Degree Program
Electrical and Computer Engineering
First Advisor
David J. McLaughlin
Second Advisor
Stephen Fraiser
Third Advisor
Daniel H. Schaubert
Subject Categories
Electrical and Computer Engineering | Electromagnetics and Photonics
Abstract
This document address the feasibility of low-cost, dual-polarized, X-band phased array antennas for use in dense radar networks for weather surveillance. The "phase-tilt" architecture under investigation combines one-dimensional, electronic beam steering with mechanical actuation (tilting) to achieve a low-cost design capable of rapid, two-dimensional beam positioning without the use of a large scanning pedestal. This architecture is less complex and costly than a full, two-dimensional "phase-phase" array. In addition to meeting requirements for cost, it has the potential to meet requirements for off-axis polarization performance and other key requirements. A prototype antenna already has been designed, fabricated and tested. It defines a new state-of-the-art for remote sensing of weather using small radars. The prototype antenna also serves as a test bed and proof of concept for exploring a potential future network comprised of many antennas arranged in a dense network. This dissertation reviews the current state-of-the-art (in weather radars, dense radar networks, dual-polarized radars, and phased arrays); presents the design, implementation, testing, and validation experiments of the prototype array; and establishes performance requirements for this technology for deployment in future networks of small weather radars.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7275/5695072
Recommended Citation
Salazar Cerreno, Jorge L, "The Feasibility of Low-Cost, Dual-Polarized, Phase-Tilt Antenna Arrays for Dense Radar Networks" (2012). Doctoral Dissertations 1896 - February 2014. 389.
https://doi.org/10.7275/5695072
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations_1/389