Micro-miniature radio frequency transmitter for communication and tracking applications

Conference · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:418470

Crutcher, R I; Emery, M S; Falter, K G; Nowlin, C H ^[1]; Rochelle, J M; Clonts, L G ^[2]

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
2. Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States). Electrical Engineering Dept.

A micro-miniature radio frequency (rf) transmitter has been developed and demonstrated by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The objective of the rf transmitter development was to maximize the transmission distance while drastically shrinking the overall transmitter size, including antenna. Based on analysis and testing, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) with a 16-GHz gallium arsenide (GaAs) oscillator and integrated on-chip antenna was designed and fabricated using microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC) technology. Details of the development and the results of various field tests will be discussed. The rf transmitter is applicable to covert surveillance and tracking scenarios due to its small size of 2.2 x 2.2 mm, including the antenna. Additionally, the 16-GHz frequency is well above the operational range of consumer-grade radio scanners, providing a degree of protection from unauthorized interception. Variations of the transmitter design have been demonstrated for tracking and tagging beacons, transmission of digital data, and transmission of real-time analog video from a surveillance camera. Preliminary laboratory measurements indicate adaptability to direct-sequence spread-spectrum transmission, providing a low probability of intercept and/or detection. Concepts related to law enforcement applications will be presented.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-96OR22464
• OSTI ID: 418470
• Report Number(s): CONF-961113--7; ON: DE97000326
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
DESIGN
FIELD TESTS
MINIATURIZATION
PERFORMANCE
RADIO EQUIPMENT
USES