科普（The Difference Between AESA and PESA ）

The Difference Between AESA and PESA

In a passive electronically scanned array (PESA), the microwave feed network in the back of the antenna is powered by a single radio frequency (RF) source (magnetron, klystron, TWT, etc.), sending its waves into phase shift modules (usually digitally-controlled), which, in turn, feed the numerous emitting elements.
An AESA, instead, has an individual RF source for each of its many transmit/receive elements, making them "active".
This provides for a graceful degradation, so that many T/R modules may fail and the radar would not stop functioning.
AESA radars replace the traditional radar RF sources (magnetron/klystron/TWT), which usually require extremely high operating voltage and power, with multiple solid state RF sources operating at low voltage (40 to 60 volts). Solid state electronics use silicon or gallium arsenide based power amplifier technology and benefit to some extent from mass production techniques developed for consumer electronics. US based manufacturers of the AESA radars used in the F22 and Super Hornet include Northrop Grumman and Raytheon. These companies also design, develop and manufacture the transmit/receive modules which comprise the 'building blocks' of an AESA radar. The requisite electronics technology was developed in-house via Department of Defense research programs such as MIMIC Program.

The Difference Between AESA and PESA

In a passive electronically scanned array (PESA), the microwave feed network in the back of the antenna is powered by a single radio frequency (RF) source (magnetron, klystron, TWT, etc.), sending its waves into phase shift modules (usually digitally-controlled), which, in turn, feed the numerous emitting elements.
An AESA, instead, has an individual RF source for each of its many transmit/receive elements, making them "active".
This provides for a graceful degradation, so that many T/R modules may fail and the radar would not stop functioning.
AESA radars replace the traditional radar RF sources (magnetron/klystron/TWT), which usually require extremely high operating voltage and power, with multiple solid state RF sources operating at low voltage (40 to 60 volts). Solid state electronics use silicon or gallium arsenide based power amplifier technology and benefit to some extent from mass production techniques developed for consumer electronics. US based manufacturers of the AESA radars used in the F22 and Super Hornet include Northrop Grumman and Raytheon. These companies also design, develop and manufacture the transmit/receive modules which comprise the 'building blocks' of an AESA radar. The requisite electronics technology was developed in-house via Department of Defense research programs such as MIMIC Program.