Compact superconducting sub-array module for X-band phased array antenna

Abstract

We have developed a compact superconducting sub-array module for an X-band phased array antenna. We assume this sub-array module will be applied as a high-sensitivity multichannel T/R module with 16 antenna elements. To realize high-sensitivity, we developed some RF superconducting devices. Using this sub-array module, a high-sensitivity antenna can be easily available for wireless applications such as communication systems and radar systems. In this paper, we describe the newly developed superconducting sub-array module that is applicable as a key component to make an X-band phased array antenna. In particular, RF devices such as a phase shifter, a Tx-Rx switch and a 16-way power divider/combiner were designed as cryogenic circuits by a superconducting technique to acquire low-insertion-loss properties. And by using an internal cooler, noise temperature of Rx channels was reduced to less than 315 K. This sub-array module is 80 mm∗80 mm∗330 mm and small enough to be applied for a large-aperture X-band antenna.