From radar to nodar

Abstract

Photonics and Nanotechnologies are emerging revolutionary technologies that will provide a revolution in the sectors of sensors and radar systems. SELEX Sistemi Integrati intends to face this evolution as a leader by pro-actively supporting and developing its state-of-the-art. One century after the first RADAR “idea” we registered the Nanotechnology Optical Detection And Ranging (NODAR) trademark. Such NODAR, by including both photonic and nanotechnologies, aims to implement multi-functional, multi-role, multi-domain sensors, as well as adaptive, flexible, knowledge-based sensors. NODAR requires pro-active studies and developments on: • nanotechnology vacuum tube amplifiers (TX reverse nano triode): • wide bandwidth Tx-Rx optical beam-forming network by means of optical modulator, combiner, analogue optical receive and programmable true time delay; • broadband photonic analogue to digital converters; • thermal management and interconnection by means of carbon nanotubes; and • nanotechnology infrared and chemical state-of-the-art sensors.