Transceiver design of AESA Radar on CMOS Technology
Radar (Radio Detection And Ranging) technology is the backbone of the air defense of any nation. Radar is a detection system that uses radio waves to determine the velocity, angle and range of objects. To make our defense stronger and capable of reacting to the interventions of the enemies rapi
2025-06-28 16:36:27 - Adil Khan
Transceiver design of AESA Radar on CMOS Technology
Project Area of Specialization Electrical/Electronic EngineeringProject SummaryRadar (Radio Detection And Ranging) technology is the backbone of the air defense of any nation. Radar is a detection system that uses radio waves to determine the velocity, angle and range of objects. To make our defense stronger and capable of reacting to the interventions of the enemies rapidly, it is significant to have the AESA Radar technology to detect the presence of enemy aircrafts and objects. On account of our learning of electronics and avionics during our three years of studies, we decided to design the front end of AESA Radar. Also keeping the trend of miniaturization in mind we decided to design and characterize front end .i.e. transceiver of AESA Radar on CMOS Technology. Our main focus will be to prove the concept through fabrication on a low frequency prototype in range of MHz, after analyzing the result and working of the prototype, the focus will shift on simulation. We will use cadence CAD tool for designing and simulation of transceiver, eventually targeting GSM band i.e. 2.4 Ghz. The block diagram of AESA Radar transceiver is as follows:

The main objectives of the project are as follows:
- Design of low frequency transceiver module.
- Fabrication of low frequency transceiver module on PCB using COTS electronic components.
- On chip design of transceiver module on 2.4 GHZ GSM band.
The project will initially start with the fabrication of Transceiver using COTS electronic components such as Low Noise Amplifier, Power Amplifier, Phase Locked Loop, Filters, Variable Gain Amplifiers etc, on low frequency for the proof of concept. After that the design will shift to on chip design of transceiver on GSM band frequency i.e. 2.4 GHZ. The transceiver will be designed and simulated on cadence CAD tool. The design approach will be to do the literature review of one block of transceiver once at a time than further start with the designing. Once a block is designed, analysis are completed and the parameters of the block are according to the requirement, the focus will be shifted to the next block. The entire block diagram of transceiver module is available in the summary of the project. Once all the blocks are designed individually, they will be put together using the matching technique and entire behavior of the module would be analyzed and the tuning of the design will be done according to the results obtained in analysis.
Benefits of the ProjectThe benefits of project are immense. One of the advantage of on chip design apart from miniaturization is that is fully programmable and can be customized according to the application of the user. The other advantage of on chip design is its cost effectiveness once its mass production is being done, the prize of one module would decrease dramatically. Because of their cost effectiveness these modules can easily be replaced once malfunctioned, where as other systems are so expensive that they cannot be replaced instantaneously and good amount of time is spent in repairing those systems. Moreover indigenous designs are cheap and gives the user full control of it .i.e. customizable according to applications, whereas if the same module is purchased from other countries, firstly they are expensive and secondly you cannot customize it according to your own specifications which is a big concern certainly in warfare where the applications of certain things changes within in short span of time and counter measure is required instantaneously.
Technical Details of Final DeliverableThe final deliverable of the project are as follows:
- PCB faricated low frequency TR module using COTS.
- Design and Simulation of high freq TR module on Cadence.
- Detailed Report of the project findings.
| Item Name | Type | No. of Units | Per Unit Cost (in Rs) | Total (in Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total in (Rs) | 69500 | |||
| COTS Electronic Components | Equipment | 12 | 5000 | 60000 |
| Report Printing | Miscellaneous | 5 | 700 | 3500 |
| Stationary | Miscellaneous | 2 | 500 | 1000 |
| PCB | Equipment | 1 | 5000 | 5000 |