A sensible approach to realizing mmW seeker systems

Reliable millimeter-wave components are presently available in discrete packages, and a host of prototype systems have been built and are now being evaluated. However, although in general the prototype systems are working, there are no further advances which will take the involved systems past the experiment stage. The reasons for this situation are discussed. The responsible problem is found to be the 'monolithic seeker front end'. The 'monolithic front end' is a term which usually implies a monolithic microwave circuit that is grown using advanced GaAs techniques and promises to be nearly as low-cost as the present day high volume computer chips. However, the required high-volume production is uncharacteristic of most microwave systems to date. Considering a specific example, it is proposed that instead of waiting for the 'ultimate' microwave front end to cost $300 in quantities of 100,000, the government and large systems designers should settle for a design which will cost $1,000 to $2,000 in 1000 quantities.