Transceiver Systems

For the past 40 years, STL has been a leader in submillimeter-wave transmitters, receivers, compact range chambers, and other related technologies. Utilizing the latest in heterodyne mixing receivers, we achieve unprecedented system sensitivities for coherent terahertz receivers. By using these systems to measure scatter from scale-model targets, radar cross-section measurements and radar images can be produced with great accuracy and low cost.

Laser Sources

With our in-house custom designed carbon dioxide and optically-pumped far-infrared lasers, we are able to achieve astonishing power and phase stabilities and maintain these for long periods of time. STL also maintains a carbon dioxide and far-infrared pair for the express purpose of prototype optical setups. These systems have been used for applications ranging from new detector design evaluation to terahertz materials and metamaterials characterization. Our far-infrared lasers are cable of producing hundreds of milliwatts at frequencies covering most of the submillimeter-wave bands. When combined with polarimetric optics and signal processing techniques, systems using lasers are capable of measuring very low level scattering phenomena. Our laser based terahertz systems typically comprise the heart of compact radar ranges operating at, and above, frequencies of 1.5 THz.

Staff: Thomas Goyette, Ph.D., Jason Dickinson, M.S.

Solid State Sources

Working closely with leading edge millimeter and submillimeter-wave active component designers, solid state frequency-multiplier based terahertz sources typically form the basis for our compact radar range systems operating at frequencies below 2 THz. The implementation of solid-state based frequency-multiplier sources allow realization of highly compact transceivers while still meeting stringent operational performance metrics. STL has investigated many transceiver/receiver topologies including quasi-monostatic to bistatic instrumentation radars as well as various receiver architectures ranging from ultra-stable low-noise stepped-FMCW superheterodyne to the extremely simple and inexpensive FMCW direct conversion.

Staff: Guy Demartinis, D.Eng., Thomas Goyette, Ph.D.