The new SPINNER Fast Ethernet modules have been successfully integrated in C and X-band radar systems.
As a result, the new AKASH C-band radar system has been approved by the Indian Army. The entire system is mounted on a truck and is ideal for surveillance, tracking and IFF tasks. The integrated 90kW generator allows a mobile and independent operation, regardless of its location.
It employs a 13-channel RF rotary joint as well as the new integrated SPINNER 4-channel Fast Ethernet module for signal transfer alongside the conventional signal and power slip ring. Because this SPINNER design automatically detects the standard to transfer (10 Base-T, 100 Base-TX or 1000 Base-T), the customer has the full flexibility to work with the 1000 Base-T standard at any time without having to modify the hardware of the rotary joint. The new compact modules have also allowed a considerable reduction in weight and size. This facilitates above all the integration into the radar platform.
This successful concept has also been employed in the marine X-band radar SSR 2D. It was conceived for the automatic identification (IFF) and pursuit of targets at sea and in the air.
The weight reduction of the rotary joint creates a real advantage here, which affects the whole radar unit. The rotary joint operates in the X-band, has 15 RF channels and an integrated dual-channel ethernet module.
Despite the large number of coaxial channels, the rotary joint was still able to be kept short thanks to its modular design. Traditional technologies would have to be built around 300-400mm longer.
The new hollow shaft ethernet modules integrate seamlessly into the compact module design. This highly mechanically-robust design results in very little deviation of the RF values during rotation, which in turn is a fundamental requirement of every radar system.