A Carrier-free Miniaturized Ka-band T/R Module Design for Easy Automatic Assembly

Abstract

A Ka-band four-channel T/R module for electronic scanning array radar is proposed in this paper, which is small in size, lightweight, easy to produce, and has good channel consistency. Adopting the open cavity design on both sides, the microwave signal and the power signal are completely isolated in space with good electromagnetic compatibility characteristics. Moreover, a “carrier-free” assembly scheme is proposed in this design, which removes the thermal matching carriers at the bottom of the MMIC chips used in traditional modules, simplifying the assembly process and achieving a high automation rate. The reliability of the scheme is verified by rigorous temperature shock and random vibration tests. The overall size of the module is 50 mm*84 mm*9.2 mm, and the weight of a single channel is only 17.5 g. The transmit saturated output power is greater than 21.5 dBm, and flatness is less than 0.8 dB. The receiving increase is greater than 7.5 dB, and flatness is less than 1 dB. The noise figure is better than 5.5 dB. The design ideas proposed in this paper have good generalization in the design of low-power T/R module.