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Analog Devices Inc. (ADI) has designed a microprocessor that will allow manufacturers to reduce the size and weight of phased-array radar and communications systems, with commercial aircraft viewed as a major target market.&nbsp;Business aircraft could also benefit from phased-array antennas, as they take up less space compared to mechanically steered satellite communications antennas and thus could facilitate satcom installations on smaller business jets and turboprops.

 


The ADAR1000 active antenna beamforming chip replaces 12 individual components that are normally found in each signal path of phased-array radars and communications systems. This simplifies phased-array construction, said Mike Chowkwanyun, product manager at ADI, something that could be particularly attractive for new companies in the area. More important, it can cut back on the size and weight of the overall system.

 


Phased-array systems have grown in popularity over the years, particularly in the military domain, said Chowkwanyun. This is a potential market for the ADAR1000, he said, with the scope for smaller phased-array systems in this area.&nbsp;However, there is also expanding demand in the commercial space, he said. The company sees potential in the defense, surveillance, air traffic control, weather monitoring, and communications segments.

 


Chowkwanyun highlighted the scope for phased-array antennas in commercial aircraft. For example, he pointed to the increasing prevalence of broadband satcom, which is achieved by placing a mechanically steered antenna inside a dome on top of the aircraft’s fuselage. On business jets, the antenna is mounted atop the vertical stabilizer.&nbsp;The ADAR1000 could enable avionics designers to build smaller, flat-panel antenna arrays, he said, and here could be both ground and airborne-based applications.

 


"The benefit of airborne applications is [that] with the reduction in size, you can certainly reduce the weight that the plane needs to carry. The potentially longer-term view is, does that lead to a reduction of the size of the airplane?"

 


ADI is seeing interest in the ADAR1000 and has been showing the product to several of its customers, including manufacturers of satcom systems, Chowkwanyun said. Additionally, the company has been looking across its own product lines and technology groups "to offer complete solutions as opposed to single-function building blocks," he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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