Design and characterization of AESA prototype driven by a DTRM

Abstract

This paper discusses design and testing of fully-digital direct-conversion array transmitter in C Band developed as a part of a digital transmitting and receiving module (DTRM) suitable for a future full digital active electrically scanned array (AESA). The DTRM uses RF high-speed converters exploiting 5G technologies mainly developed for massive MIMO applications. A C-Band 4-channel AESA prototype was designed, realized, and characterized in far field.