How it Works

At the heart of the S2RSP is a specially grown and cryocooled crystal, into which are written holographic representations of modulated analog radar signals. These spatial-spectral — or S2 — crystals have been proposed for possible use in radar applications since the beginning of the decade, when SMC’s Phase II contract was in play.

The S2RSP is designed to operate as a highly efficient and flexible radar system component that enhances performance by allowing the radar to transmit and receive complex, instantaneous wideband waveforms. Instead of down-converting radio frequency signals as in conventional radar processors, the S2RSP modulates a laser with these signals. The laser-modulated signals are “written” holographically into an S2 crystal. The information stored in the crystal is then read out and reprocessed digitally, leading to range and Doppler graphics.

S2’s processor provides many distinct advantages over legacy systems. The system allows for analog processing as well as wide and sustaining bandwidth capabilities up to 20 gigahertz with long time apertures. Such capabilities can provide an order of magnitude improvement in the bandwidth and aperture allowed by conventional systems. Analog radar signal processing allows the user to avoid being confined to one waveform class. S2 has successfully demonstrated its technology with various waveform patterns, including random noise.

The S2RSP also has the advantage of being easy to integrate into existing radar systems. It is a technology that could either replace a receiver or operate side by side with existing units. “The modification really is as simple as taking the raw signals at the antenna and piping them over to the [S2RSP],” said S2 President Dr. Kris Merkel. For missile defense, one of the S2RSP’s strategic advantages over legacy processors is the ability to provide a surveillance mode simultaneous with a firecontrol mode. Two warheads could be separated by kilometers, both perhaps several thousand kilometers from the imaging radar, but each would be visible to the S2RSP simultaneously.

Where it Stands

With its Phase III contract, S2 hopes to provide the U.S. military with equipment that offers a large surveillance zone and constant wideband reception. S2 seeks interest from other U.S. government agencies that use passive-receive systems for surveillance, including signal-intelligence activities. The company also envisions commercializing some of the technology used in the S2RSP for short-range imaging applications needed in homeland security operations

More Information

For more information on the S2RSP radar signal processor, visit S2 Corp. at http://info.hotims.com/10974-518.