SITIS Topic Details |
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| Proposals Accepted: | |
| Program: | SBIR |
| Topic Number: | AF103-014 (AirForce) |
| Title: | Phase Locked Magnetrons | Research & Technical Areas: | Sensors, Weapons |
| Objective: | Develop and verify the construction and performance of a magnetron which is equipped with a devoted input port to accomplish phase locking. Frequency of interest is L-Band; power level 100kW plus.
| Description: | Magnetrons are the highest efficiency oscillators and therefore have the potential for the most efficient and compact high power systems. There are requirement for L-Band microwave sources for systems which are in excess of the highest power single tube source. Achieving the required levels requires the coherent power combining of multiple sources. The combining process requires phase locking of the sources. Techniques presently exist for phase locking magnetrons; however, there is theoretical evidence that phase locking can be achieved much more efficiently and conveniently by means of injecting the locking signal into the magnetron via a separate dedicated port. This method is also advantageous for phase modulating magnetron to achieve high power amplitude modulated outputs. The method of approach will be to modify an existing magnetron by the addition of a coupling port that is on the order of -30dB (decibel) from the main output port. The phase locking signal will be injected through this dedicated port. The addition of this port will have a virtually negligible size, in contrast to the size of the existing phase locking methods. In addition the phase locking command signals for an assembly of power combined magnetrons will be generated by a single low power source. In effect this will be a MOPA configuration and will operate more reliably than existing multi-cross coupled methods. In addition, existing methods become increasingly awkward and less efficient as the number of magnetrons is increased; whereas this MOPA method does not.
The effectiveness and range of high power L-Band microwave anti-improvised explosive device (IED) systems depend upon power levels much higher than existing or anticipated source; thus this MOPA approach will be a significant benefit.
The microwave hearing effect as applied to ADT, requires a high power L-Band source that can be modulated. Magnetron sources can provide this need when both power combined and phase modulated. The phase modulation can be efficiently converted to AM by standard microwave components. Magnetrons are the highest efficiency sources and will proved the smallest and most efficient ADT microwave hearing effect system.
| PHASE I:
Modification of an existing magnetron by the addition of the dedicated phase locking input port is required, either by the magnetron original equipment manufacturer or a qualified contractor. Standard L-Band unit modification is not complex. Characterization will then be accomplished.
| PHASE II:
Phase II will implement a pair of the modified magnetrons in a magic tee power combining circuit and demonstrate and validate the power combining and phase to amplitude modulation capability.
| PHASE III | DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: Military Application: Improved, anti-IED systems, microwave hearing ADT applications, and other high power microwave (HPPM) applications requiring very high L-Band power with or without modulation.
Commercial Application: Deep space and terrestrial communications, materials processing and long range radar.
| References: | 1. Collins, George B., et al, “ Microwave Magnetrons,” MIT Radiation Laboratory Series Vol. 6, 1946. 2. Bostick, Winston, et al, “Parallel Operation of Magnetrons,” Technical Report No.14, September 14, 1946, Research Laboratory of Electronics, MIT. 3. Van der Pol, Balth, “ The Nonlinear Theory of Electric Oscillations,” Proceeding of the IRE, Vol. 22, No. 9, September 1934. 4. US Patent 6,587,720; "Apparatus for audibly communicating speed using the radio frequency hearing effect." 5. US Patent 6,470,214; "Method and device for implementing the radio frequency hearing effect." |
| Keywords: | Phase Locked Magnetrons, Injection Phase Locking of Magnetrons, L-Band High Power Microwaves, Microwave High Power Directed Energy |
Questions and Answers: |
Q: Would you accept a method for using accomplishing what you are requesting WITHOUT the need for a hardware modification? |
A: Yes, accomplishing the task without the need for a hardware modification is acceptable. However, since a phase locking port is requested, it seems to be in conflict. Assume that some rational explanation will be forth coming in the proposal. |
As of midnight September 1, questions for solicitations SBIR 10.3 and STTR 10.B will no longer be accepted.
To read the solicitation for full proposal preparation and submission details click here. |