Ultra-wideband source and antenna research

Ultra-wideband (UWB) microwave sources and antennas are of interest for a v ariety of applications, such as transient radar, mine detection, and unexpl oded ordnance (UXO) location and identification, Much of the current resear ch is being performed at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Kirtla nd AFB, NM. The approach to high power source development has included high pressure gas switching, oil switching, and solid-state-switched arrays. Re cent advances in triggered gas switch technology and solid-state-switched s hockline technology have opened up new possibilities for the development of much higher power systems and have thus opened the door to many new applic ations. The research into UWB transient antennas has also made significant contributions to the development and improvement of wideband continuous wav e (CW) antenna designs and has brought new knowledge about the complex beha vior of ferrites, dielectrics, and resistive materials in short pulse, very high voltage environments. This has in turn led to advances in the technol ogy of transformers, transmission lines, insulators, and UWB optics. This p aper reviews the progress to date along these lines and discusses new areas of research into UWB technology development.