Chinese Radar Developments - KLJ series and others

Brumby

Major
Actually, you mentioned it first; so please do cite your 15-20 W modules.
Most of my understanding on this subject comes from hornetfinn over at F-16.net. If I remember correctly you would know this poster as presumably you asked for help.
 

Inst

Captain
On the same forums, T/R on the F-35 is cited around 10 W. Until we have more definite information, we can't easily assume that the APG-77v2 is more powerful than the J-20. Even if it's more powerful than on the J-20, the J-20 has a slight aperture size advantage giving it an advantage in receptivity. And then there's the issue of GaN; by 2020 or, at the latest, 2025, both the J-20 and the APG-77 and 81s should be on GaN radar, meaning that there's no longer a generational advantage on US equipment.
 

Brumby

Major
On the same forums, T/R on the F-35 is cited around 10 W. Until we have more definite information, we can't easily assume that the APG-77v2 is more powerful than the J-20.
I thought you would provide me with your source on the 17kW output on the F-35 after I had provided mine?
The idea of the F-35 only having a 10w TR is not universal in that forum as you seem to allude because I don't think anyone knows what the official number really is. In a Jan 2014 post, hornetfinn discussed the projected detection range of the APG-81 based on both assumptions i.e. at 10w and at 16w TR which I am quoting :
I've done some calculations about the potential capabilities of APG-81 in relation to raw detection range. If we assume that the pictures of APG-81 T/R module count are correct (well over 1600 modules) and if we assume it uses the best publicly known and marketed GaAs T/R modules (about 16W), we get some impressive numbers. We have to remember that it could well use even more powerful modules as they are available. 25W modules are sold already and even more powerful ones are in development. Even with 10W modules (that became available more than 15 years ago), it'd be very powerful radar set.

With 1676 modules and 10 W power each, giving almost 17 kW peak power with 700 mm antenna diameter (assumed to be perfectly circular), I've calculated that the conservative maximum detection range estimate would be about 360 km or almost 200 nmi against 3 m^2 target. With 16W modules this increase to slightly over 400 km. If the antenna area is larger, then it would give somewhat better range. 800 mm diameter would give about 450 km range with 16W modules. If we calculate the upper boundary of detection with 1676 16W modules and 800 mm diameter antenna with current tech LNA (low noise amplifier) used in receiving path, we get maximum detection range of about 550 km. So we get detection range of 360-550 km for 3 m^2 RCS target depending on antenna diameter and T/R module power and losses. Against 0.1 m^2 target detection range would be between 160 and 240 km. Against 0.001 target it would be between 50 and 75 km.

All these are of course using only single very high power radar beam to search for long range targets within a limited search area or areas without any restrictions. Using multiple beams or using very wide search area or using LPI waveforms is likely to shorten the detection range. But it could still theoretically search for the whole radar field of regard to 250-400 km range depending on exact performance figures and scan time.
 

Inst

Captain
Hornetfinn's math is wrong, however. He roughly calculates an increase of about 50% detection range with an increase of 60% wattage, whereas detection range is a function of the square or quartic of radar power. Even when using a 15% larger aperture, the total range advantage vs 10W @ 700mm is only 20%.

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An increase of 60% results in only 12%-26% increase in detection range, meaning that the F-35's radar is outclassed due to aperture (which determines receptivity). Moreover, note that he's using 3m^2, which is not the 1m^2 / 0 dBsm which is used as standard, resulting in a 24% reduction in range compared to a 1m^2 target.
 

Brumby

Major
Hornetfinn's math is wrong, however. He roughly calculates an increase of about 50% detection range with an increase of 60% wattage, whereas detection range is a function of the square or quartic of radar power. Even when using a 15% larger aperture, the total range advantage vs 10W @ 700mm is only 20%.

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An increase of 60% results in only 12%-26% increase in detection range, meaning that the F-35's radar is outclassed due to aperture (which determines receptivity). Moreover, note that he's using 3m^2, which is not the 1m^2 / 0 dBsm which is used as standard, resulting in a 24% reduction in range compared to a 1m^2 target.

Deino,
I agree you should move this discussion to the radar thread as it is off topic.

Inst,
you are completely missing the point. I am not interested in hornetfinn's detection range calculation because it is meant to be indicative. The more important point is that a range of 10w to 16w is well within the tech range availability for APG-81 T/R's.
 

Quickie

Colonel
据国内雷达科研单位资料透露,歼-20得益于充足的头部空间,AESA雷达的TR组件高达2000到2200个之多,发射功率在24KW,全球最大!完全能保证在F22战斗机探测范围外首先发现其踪迹,相信美国人现在很后悔当初不把F22造的大一点,虽然F22为分布式合成孔径系统留下了余地,但是想换大雷达,可得使劲折腾一番,我国后发优势的体现就在于吸取对方的教训走自己的路,

They said J20 AESA has the largest power therefore longest detecting range , more than F22.

Unless it's more inefficient :p

Considering that the different AESA radars are most likely using similar technology, their efficiency should be quite similar.

The main point is that the J-20 AESA radar is able to reach a total TR module power of 24KW by using more of the TR modules even if the individual TR modules is only of average power (going by the calculation in the previous post.)
 

by78

General
Chinese GaN (gallium nitride) development from an ongoing national science exhibition in Beijing...


1) GaN microwave module (chip):
26885453444_f6dd25a4b5_o.jpg


2) GaN mono-crystalline substrate:
26885453214_9aec008645_o.jpg
 
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