Comprehending the physics-based relationship between a receiver and environmental noise components and sensitivity. These are related to derived or measured parameters, such as temperature and bandwidth and lead to a multidimensional representation of signal to noise (SNR) dynamic range, and in the case of complex signals of interest, instantaneous dynamic range (IDR). This is often defined as the measurement of a weak signal in the presence of a strong one or as a signal buried far below a dense radio frequency (RF) interference background. Innovations in receiver architectures will be required, as well as novel methods for characterizing signals as a function of frequency separation. The design of experiments using physical modeling and simulation tools is desired in developing the RF receiver architectures and appropriate statistical analysis. The formulation of RF laboratory experiments for prototyping of ultrasensitive receiver subsystems integrates with beam-forming antenna/aperture assemblies for future defense applications. Recently completed research has revealed opportunities to develop nontraditional and passive RF receiver architectures, which bridge quantum physics and RF technologies as a multidisciplinary area to address fundamental limitations (e.g., sampling jitter, thermal noise, Nyquist/Shannon theorem limitations) to more efficiently convert a signal from the RF to an encoded digital format. Our long-term research goal is to enable an RF receiver capable of a sequential search and analysis modes under dense/complex signal conditions enable revolutionary sensor payloads.

 

key words

Digital receivers; Research test and evaluation; Tunable RF components; Applied physics; Non-uniform, non-linear signal processing; Stochastic methods; Quantum Radar;

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral and Senior applicants