Den Haag, Netherlands
Internship Explorer
Internship Explorer
The modern battlefield relies heavily on electronic systems and wireless connections. High power electromagnetic (HPEM) effectors can be used to disrupt these systems. To maximize the effectiveness of these HPEM effectors, as well as to design appropriate protection and mitigation measures, insight in the effects of HPEM on the RF receive chain is required. This student project is about researching the impact of HPEM on the RF receive chain. Theoretical models will be created, technologies will be compared, weak spots will be identified, and theory will be validated with experiments. You will research the effect of various parameters of HPEM on RF components typically used in RF frontends. Parameters such as frequency, pulse shape, pulse repetition frequency (PRF), duty cycle. You will also research the influence of different IC technologies, such as InGaP, GaAs, SiGe:C. The research will start with the creation of a firm theoretical base, which will be used to predict effects, and the influence of parameters of the pulse and IC technology. It will also be used to predict the most susceptible component(s) in the RF chain. The second phase will be an extensive measurement campaign, in which the predictions will be validated. RF components will be subjected to HPEM pulses in a systematic, repeatable and statistically significant manner. Results will be used to confirm the theoretical models, and adjust them where needed. Effects of HPEM on RF components include, but are not limited to, permanent damage. Additionally, introduction of nonlinear effects, for example intermodulation products, could potentially also cause a system to malfunction to such an extent that further continuation of the mission is prevented. A follow-up project is envisioned, which will be heavily based on your work, results, and methods.
