2022
X-band all-solid-state radar using high-power GaN HEMTs (Japan Radio)
*** Application Products ***
Solid-state radars which are used for semiconductor devices such as GaN HEMTs as signal sources can transmit highly stable and coherent microwave signals based on crystal oscillators. Therefore, by employing pulse compression technology, in which a long frequency-modulated pulse signal is transmitted and the received signal is delayed by each frequency and piled up at a specific time, it is possible to achieve detection sensitivity equivalent to magnetron radar with a transmission power of several hundred watts, 1/100 of that of a magnetron. In addition, Doppler signal processing technology can be used to measure the speed of moving objects. GaN HEMTs has higher reliability in long-term of more than 10 years and can keep radar maintenance costs low.
GaN HEMTs capable of high output power of several hundred watts in the microwave frequencies have been developed, mass-produced, and supplied at a reasonable price range as a result of wide use of high-power GaN HEMTs by expanding satellite communications and cellular phones market [1]. S-band (3 GHz band) and X-band (9 GHz band) solid-state radars have been commercialized. Japan Radio, which also commercialized S-band solid-state radar in 2015, commercializes X-band solid-state radar in 2022 [2][3][4]. The parallel operation of two GaN HEMTs provides 600 W of peak output power. The radar has a function of SART (Search and Rescue Radar Transponders) which is obligated to equip in marine X-band radars.
Figure 1 Scanner unit of X-band solid-state radar
(Courtesy: Japan Radio Co. Ltd.)
[Reference]
- Makoto Nishihara, Makoto Aojima, Naoyuki Miyazawa, "X-band 300W high-power GaN HEMT for marine radar", SEI Technical Review, No. 91, pp.29-32 (Oct. 2020)
- Toshihiro Saito, Masaru Kawaguchi, "Development of X-band solid state radar for ships", JRC Review, No.75, pp.40-46 (2024) (Japanese)
- Japan Radio Co. Ltd. News, "X-band solod-state scanner added to the 'JMR-9200/7200 Series' marine radar lineup ~Improved equipment performance and reduced maintenance costs~" (June 30, 2022) (Japanese)
https://www.jrc.co.jp/news/2022/0630-2 - Products, "X-band solid state radar JMR9296/7296", JRC Review, No.74, p.46 (2023) (Japanese)
Ver.001: 2025/2/21