M/A-COM Technology and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Lincoln Laboratory, have announced successful field tests of Multifunction Phased Array Radar technology (MPAR). The first MPAR–based system was successfully deployed by the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Oklahoma.
MPAR technology is envisioned to be the foundation for the next generation of civil radar networks, integrating eight separate legacy radar functions into a single multifunction platform. Developed by MIT Lincoln Laboratory under sponsorship of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the system leverages an array of MACOM-manufactured phased array tiles to transmit and receive pulses of radar energy to detect and track weather systems, while at the same time providing civil air surveillance.
Used by NOAA, MPAR-based systems can increase forecast accuracy for severe weather events such as tornadoes and facilitate earlier major storm warnings, which ultimately lead to saved lives. In addition to early weather tracking, MPAR technology supports air traffic control functionality. Built over three decades ago, the current air traffic control network is approaching obsolescence and upgrading to MPAR-based systems will provide improved awareness in air traffic patterns, increasing safety and flight efficiencies.
MPAR technology holds great promise for weather and civil aviation radar applications, and will ultimately improve the safety and security of citizens across the nation. The successful MPAR field testing is an important step forward in demonstrating the commercial and functional viability of this sophisticated technology. The next step is to move MPAR-based systems to volume commercial manufacturing that can support the scale of production of civil and defense deployments in the field.
MACOM IN ACTIVE ANTENNAS:
MACOM is leading the transition of civil and defense radar and communication systems to active antenna technology. Applying innovative, tile-based architectures and modern, commercial manufacturing practices, MACOM is enabling customers to build affordable and scalable radar systems with rapid time to market. Click here to learn more about MACOM Active Antennas.
