Presentation from the University of Birmingham at the Centre for Defence Enterprise Marketplace held on 27 April

1. Marketplace 2016
Sukhjit Pooni
Microwave Integrated Systems Laboratory
(MISL)
University of Birmingham

2. MISL
• the radar research group at the
University of Birmingham
• scope: radar systems research
for defence, security and remote
sensing
• 25 full members of staff
• possibly the biggest University
radar research group in UK

3. SIMITAR
Persistent surveillance from the air with a low frequency MIMO towed array
Proof of concept study
• building FOliage PENetrating radar (FOPEN)
• operating from High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS)
• using Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) towed array
• Moving Target Indication/Synthetic Aperture Radar
(MTI/SAR) capability
MIMO towed array
• creates long virtual array while drastically reducing
amount of antenna elements
• overcomes size, weight and power (SWaP) restrictions
of small aircraft

4. Success to date
Parameter from Theoretical Study Value
Minimum Detectable Velocity 1m/s
Stand off for Target RCS=1m2 10-20km
Size (4Tx by 16Rx) 25m
Weight 3kg
Power 5W

5. What next?
Next stage
• build representative model system
• conduct trials in simulated operational scenario to confirm theoretical
findings
• roadmap to commercial exploitation and development of product
specifications to begin transfer of technology into a future product
Future Impact of SIMITAR
• all-weather, day/night, wide-area, persistent, real-time, surveillance sensor
• detecting and locating concealed (under foliage, behind buildings or small hills), slow-moving
targets under foliage
• small enough SWaP footprint to be carried on small, unmanned platforms
• modular technology - can add elements to the tow to increase performance. As HAPS payload
capacity evolves (Zephyr 7 till Gen-II), so does system performance
• generic technology - not restricted to HAPS or Ultra High Frequency (UHF), but any aircraft
and theoretically any frequency

6. We’re looking for…
From Marketplace audience?
• Partnerships with aerospace/defence industry to help take the
project from technology development to a commercial product
Where do you want to take the technology?
• The end goal is the development of a product. Phase 2 will bring
us to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5-6, with a roadmap to
commercial exploitation beyond this stage

7. Contact
Dr. Mike Antoniou
SIMITAR lead investigator
Microwave Integrated System Laboratory (MISL)
University of Birmingham
m.antoniou@bham.ac.uk