Linear Receivers for a Congested and Contested Electro Magnetic Domain

Purpose and goal

The electromagnetic domain is necessary for communication and for gathering information about the environment. Several systems need to work together in a limited frequency spectrum, and also work in presence of jamming. For flying platforms, this is a challenge as they operate closer to jammers, and high dynamics are required in the receivers to distinguish signals in such an environment. The project studies semiconductor materials that are tailored to increase dynamics. The goal is to design world´s first amplifier based on these materials and demonstrate increased dynamics.

Expected effects and result

The need for receivers with high dynamics is increasing and is of importance for flying platforms. To achieve this, a combination of solutions is needed in which the semiconductor material is a part. Development of linear receivers will contribute to increased spectral discrimination, lower distortion of received signal, better suppression of interference signals and greater possibility of detecting small objects. The project also leads to maintaining a collaboration with university college and industry, as well as ensuring knowledge building in relevant areas at a low TRL level.

Planned approach and implementation

The project is led by Saab Surveillance, who also has an industrial PhD student within the project. The industrial PhD student is responsible for measurements and models of transistors, also concept studies of a high-linear low-noise amplifier. The university college focuses on gathering information on possible European suppliers of semiconductor materials and carries out an evaluation of them.