SiGe-based Re-engineering of Electronic Warfare Subsystems

343 Pages·2017·6.269 MB·English

by  Wynand Lambrechts, Saurabh Sinha (auth.)

Signals and Communication Technology
Wynand Lambrechts
Saurabh Sinha
SiGe-based Re-
engineering
of Electronic
Warfare
Subsystems
Signals and Communication Technology
More information about this series at http://www.springer.com/series/4748
Wynand Lambrechts Saurabh Sinha
(cid:129)
SiGe-based Re-engineering
of Electronic Warfare
Subsystems
123
WynandLambrechts Saurabh Sinha
University of Johannesburg University of Johannesburg
Johannesburg Johannesburg
SouthAfrica SouthAfrica
ISSN 1860-4862 ISSN 1860-4870 (electronic)
Signals andCommunication Technology
ISBN978-3-319-47402-1 ISBN978-3-319-47403-8 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-47403-8
LibraryofCongressControlNumber:2016953320
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Preface
Inelectronicwarfare (EW), military forcesrely onfocusedelectromagnetic energy
such as radio waves, infrared radiation, radar and high-powered laser light to
intercept, manipulate or disable an adversary’s electronic equipment.
Successful EW techniques require mature, efficient, high-powered, high-frequency
and reliable electronic devices where the choice of enabling technology is appli-
cation dependent. Soldiers rely on equipment to operate faultlessly in various and
often harsh environmental conditions. It isnot uncommon for defective equipment
to have fatal consequences in certain circumstances. Furthermore, military activity
is increasingly becoming more reliant on technology for surveillance, reconnais-
sance and gathering intelligence. Advances in technology miniaturization and
efficiency are ensuring rapid progress in electronic attack (EA), electronic protec-
tion (EP) and electronic support (ES), the three major areas of EW. Information
warfare is also reliant on electronic equipment to process, store and display large
amounts of data instantly, using high-frequency and dependable technologies.
High-powered equipment can be used as weapons to destroy electronic equipment
and even physically damage vehicles or buildings, or cause harm to humans. The
mobilityoftheseweaponsistypicallyproblematic,sincetheelectronicsubsystems
are large and bulky, which is another motivation to miniaturize the electronic
supporting circuitry to improve mobility.
Semiconductorprocessinghasalsoevolvedtofacilitatecomplexprocessingand
storage circuits occupying only a few millimetres of area. Integrated circuits
(ICs)aretheheartofmostelectronicdevicescapableofgathering,interpretingand
storing digital information or generating, distributing and receiving analog signals.
Semiconductor process technologies vary with respect to the application require-
ment. Inherent trade-offs between process technologies require thorough under-
standing and research of the requirements, limitations and advantages. Process
technologies, such as silicon (Si) variants, which include complementary metal–
oxide–semiconductors (CMOS) and Si-germanium (SiGe), indium phosphide
(InP) variants, gallium arsenide (GaAs) variants and gallium nitride (GaN), can be
used to realize complex, high-frequency and/or high-power ICs. In EW and in
space-based applications, reliability in harsh conditions and physical size
v
vi Preface
limitations are frequently required for electronic subsystems. A difficulty that
restricts researchers from experimenting and iterating through new ideas and
hypotheses regarding the advancement and improvement of EW subsystems is the
costofprototypingandtestingsubmicronelectroniccircuits.AdvantagesofSiarea
relatively low price to manufacture, high yields and global availability; its caveat,
however,isthelimitationsofitsperformance.Materialswithsuperiorperformance
in terms of noise, operating speed or output power exist and are available for
prototyping, but the higher costs or complex modelling repeatedly deters
researchers (and experts) from implementing these technologies.
This book, SiGe-based Re-engineering of Electronic Warfare Subsystems, pro-
vides a comprehensive and relevant arrangement on the applicability of new gen-
eration SiGe electronic subsystems in EW equipment. The definition of EW is
expanding, with new innovations and replacement technologies becoming more
feasible. Although considered somewhat futuristic, charged particle beam acceler-
ationandlaserweaponsarebecomingincreasinglymoreconceivable,usingmodern
high-powered electronic devices accompanied by rapidly switching supporting
circuitry. The basis of these technologies is not new, but their application as
offensive or defensive weapons is still at the experimental stage. The fundamental
principles of charged particle beam acceleration and lasers are reviewed and pre-
sented in this book, highlighting the roles that microelectronic components play in
facilitating these weapons and applications, such as laser rangefinders. The gen-
eration of laser light also allows optoelectronic communication and microwave
photonics, transmitting data by using light as the modulating medium.
Optoelectronic communication presents superior performance in bandwidth and
low-noise operation, compared to traditional copper and microwave transmissions.
High-speed signal processing and complex ICs are requirements of the supporting
circuitry to enable optoelectronic communication to operate at its potential maxi-
mum bandwidth, ideally using low-cost and mature technology. In addition, the
possibilityofrealizingopticandelectroniccircuitryonasinglediemakesSiGe(in
view of its Si substrate) a dominant contender in this research discipline. The
characteristics of SiGe permit its use in EW, and this book exploits its advantages
and provides an in-depth review of the subsystems where SiGe presents the ideal
replacement technology for previous and current generation systems.
SiGe offers additional advantageous characteristics compared to traditional
CMOS technologies for high-radiation environments, such as in low-earth orbit
where space EW offers tactical advantages in EA, EP and ES. An in-depth review
of the semiconductor component construction in SiGe is presented in this book to
provide better understanding of the inherent radiation-hardened characteristics of
SiGe,accompanied byareview ofthemechanisms thatlead tosingle event upsets
or permanent material damage due to radiation.
SiGe-based Re-engineering of Electronic Warfare Subsystems concludes in the
final two chapters by reviewing the potential future of EW and the potential con-
tributions that SiGe can offer. Numerous technologies such as traditional Si, wide
bandgap materials such as GaN and silicon carbide and high-speed technologies
such as InP and GaAs exist and are being used for various applications in the
Preface vii
military,spaceandcommercialsectors.Theauthorshavetakenituponthemselves
to write this book specifically to address these research topics and empower the
scholarly community through this research—integrating EW.
Johannesburg, South Africa Wynand Lambrechts
Saurabh Sinha
Acknowledgments
We would like to acknowledge Dr. Riëtte de Lange, director of Research
Productivity & Improvement of Staff Qualifications, Strategic Initiatives &
Administration, University of Johannesburg, South Africa for her coordination.
Wewouldfurthermoreliketoacknowledgethesupportoftechnicalreviewersas
well as language and graphic editors who have all contributed to this process. We
value the system of scholarly peer review and the approach that the same adds
towards producing research text that adds to the body of scientific knowledge.
ix
Contents
1 SiGe Based Re-engineering of Electronic Warfare Subsystems .... 1
1.1 Introduction to Electronic Warfare .. .... .... .... ..... .... 1
1.2 Information Warfare and Terrorism . .... .... .... ..... .... 4
1.3 Electronic Countermeasures ... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 6
1.4 Directed Energy Weapons .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 9
1.5 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in EW .. .... .... .... ..... .... 11
1.6 Military Spectral Bands .. .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 13
1.7 SiGe Overview.... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 16
1.8 SiGe Integration into EW. .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 18
1.9 SiGe and Radiation (Space EW).... .... .... .... ..... .... 19
1.10 Radar and Countermeasures ... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 20
1.11 The Missile and EW..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 24
1.12 Microwave Photonics.... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 26
1.13 Conclusion ... .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 26
References. .... .... .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 27
2 ChargedParticle-BeamAccelerationandLasers:Contextualizing
Technologies that Shaped Electronic Warfare .... .... ..... .... 29
2.1 Introduction .. .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 29
2.2 Charged Particle-Beam Accelerator.. .... .... .... ..... .... 30
2.3 The History of the Laser.. .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 35
2.4 The Basic Principles of Laser Physics ... .... .... ..... .... 36
2.5 Types of Lasers ... ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 46
2.5.1 Semiconductor Lasers . .... .... .... .... ..... .... 48
2.5.2 Solid-State Lasers .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 55
2.5.3 Gas Lasers. ..... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 55
2.5.4 Chemical Lasers . .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 56
2.5.5 Liquid Dye Lasers.... .... .... .... .... ..... .... 57
2.5.6 Other Types of Lasers. .... .... .... .... ..... .... 57
xi