SBIR-STTR Award

Demonstrate Enhanced Signal-to-Noise Ratio Fractal Noise Filters Using Existing MDA X-Band Radar LFM Waveforms The proposed research will investigate the application of the low cost, Fractal Noise Filter (FNF) to GMD radar waveforms and quantify the corresponding Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) enhancements achieved. The FNF's SNR enhancements, insertion losses, and critical performance parameters will be investigated and compiled into a data base. This data base will serve as the potential design guidance for the insertion of theFNF into GMD radars. This research is will be the basis for the development of a new category of inexpensive, easily integrated, compact signal to noise enhancement technologies. The FNF devices are completely passive and self-contained. They require neither external power source nor additional digital signal processing at the output to achieve enhanced SNR. In addition, the characterization of the FNF devices will include measurements of: insertion loss, VSWR, and phase-amplitude ripple. These characterization parameters will also be recorded in the data base and be reflected in the feasibility of the insertion of a Fractal Noise Filter into GMD radar systems

The proposed research will produce alternative, effective fractal patterns that provide: flexibility in the design process, additional degrees of freedom to the design engineer and enhanced SNR in RF systems. This should enable design engineers to support existing MDA GMD radar system LFM waveforms while also enabling consideration of advanced radar waveforms that might be required for special radar functions and missions. This research will be the basis for the development a fractal structure technology that reduces sensitivities to alignment errors and spacing errors that might make the FNF device to device fabrication difficult for producing uniform results. In addition, FNF structures that ease design issues such as large port impedance transforms, high in-band phase ripple, in-amplitude ripple, uniform time delay, and others will be investigated. The FNF devices are completely passive and self-contained. They require neither external power sources nor additional digital signal processing at the output to achieve enhanced SNR. This research will provide a new category of inexpensive, easily integrated, compact signal to noise enhancement technologies. High performance, practical FNF patterns through parametric analysis, interrelating fractal pattern geometry to waveform parameters will be investigated and developed. Results

Keywords:
Fractal Patterns, Fractal Antennas, Radar Systems, Mda Systems, Electromagnetic Theory, Koch Snowflake, Noise Filter, Snr Improvement