SBIR-STTR Award

Optimization of the Fractal Noise Filter Geometry for Existing X-band Radar Signals Using Frequency Scaling The proposed research will investigate the proper approach to adjust the center frequency of a Fractal Noise Filter (FNF). Currently, the FNF has been demonstrated experimentally to be a Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) enhancement device at S-Band. Electromagnetic frequency scaling will be investigated to adjust the operational frequency band of the fractal noise filter from S-Band to X-band. SNR enhancements, insertion losses, and critical performance parameters will be investigated for the scaled X-band device. The gathered research data will be used for potential insertion of the FNF into X-Band GMD radars. This research is expected to be the basis for a new category of inexpensive, self-contained, compact, X-Band SNR enhancement technology Fractal Noise Filter test structures derived from direct scaling and fractal seed size scaling will be demonstrated. Two types of scaling will be researched and the best approach will be chosen for the scaled X-Band FNF

Keywords:
Fractal Noise Filter; Snr Enhancement; Electromagnetic Scaling; Lfm; Fractal; Improved Detection, Track And Discrimination; X-Band Fractal Antenna And Filter; Eccm

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