Digital beamforming using highly integrated receiver-on-chip modules

This paper describes the demonstration of a four-channel digital beamforming system incorporating highly integrated silicon germanium downconverter modules. The downconverter modules are designed to translate X-band frequencies (9 to 10.5 GHz) down to a common 1.0 GHz IF output. The modules were integrated with an X-band antenna array and high-speed digitizer system to form a rudimentary digital beamforming subsystem. Data was collected in a compact antenna range and compared to simulated antenna patterns. Basic calibration and beamforming methods were applied to showcase the ability to include new, highly integrated components into digital beamforming subsystem demonstrations.