Microwaves In Ukraine Ieee Microwave Magazine
Microwaves in Ukraine
I A.I. Nosich, Y.M. Poplavko, D.M. Vavriv, and F.J. Yanovsky
Background
[1]. He is the only European to be
The Jubilee Issue of MTT Transac-
In 2000, Yevgeny M. Kuleshov, a Ukrai-
awarded this prestigious international
tions (March 2002) contains no in-
nian scientist, was awarded the IEEE
prize, after 11 Americans and three Jap-
formation on microwaves in
MTT-S Microwave Pioneer Award for
anese, since 1990. This recognized the
Ukraine. This was a great misun-
outstanding contribution of his team to
derstanding. The representatives
this area of engineering science, made
of the Ukrainian microwave
more than 30 years before today’s inter-
community prepared an article,
est in the terahertz range. This is but
“Microwaves in Ukraine,” that
the tip of the iceberg of dozens of
will fill this gap here. I kindly
years of microwave R&D in dozens
encourage you to get ac-
of laboratories in Ukraine.
quainted with this interest-
However, the invited paper
ing and important material.
on microwaves in Europe, in the
Jubilee Issue of the IEEE Trans-
Jozef Modelski
actions on Microwave Theory and
Techniques [2], did not mention
Ukraine at all. In part, this may
Thereareseveralmile-
be explained by the fact that the
stones in Ukrainian mi-
history of Ukraine as an inde-
crowave research. The
pendent nation only started on 24
Ukrainian microwave commu-
August 1991. It is still overshad-
nity is comparable to that in such
owed by its greater eastern neighbor.
nations as France, Germany, Italy,
Therefore, we believe that our article
and the United Kingdom in number
©CARTESIA
will be of interest for the international
and potential, although today it is
microwave community.
scarcely funded. This article sheds light
the development (in 1964-1972) of hol-
R&D in Ukraine is concentrated in
on the history and present state of mi-
low dielectric beamguide (HDB) technol-
three traditional branches inherited
crowave research, industry, and educa-
ogy and measuring circuits of the near-
from the Soviet Union Originally, fun-
tion in Ukraine.
and sub-millimeter wavelength ranges
damental sciences were studied in the
National Academy of Sciences of
A.I. Nosich is with the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NASU), Kharkov,
Ukraine (NASU). Applications were de-
Ukraine. Y.M. Poplavko is with the National Technical University—Kiev Polytechnic Insti-
veloped in the laboratories of the minis-
tute, Kiev, Ukraine. D.M. Vavriv is at the Institute of Radio Astronomy NASU, Kharkov,
tries. Universities combined science and
Ukraine. F.J. Yanovsky is at the National Aviation University, Kiev, Ukraine.
education. Although today the pattern
82 IEEE
magazine
December 2002
is less fixed, we shall follow this tradi-
1950s, it was famous for pioneering re-
cated in Kharkov. The oldest is the Insti-
tional classification.
search on microwave klystrons, power
tute of Radio-Physics and Electronics
combining, and wireless power trans-
[(IRE), www.ire.kharkov.ua], established
mission. By the 1990s, its main focus
in 1955 as a spin-off from KhIPT (see be-
Universities
was on developing multibeam high-
low). Through the 1960s to the present
Today, some 10,000 Ukrainian stu-
power vacuum sources, dielectric reso-
time, it has been active in millimeter-
dents study microwave science and
nators, and phased-array antennas.
wave and sub-millimeter wave research
engineering in a network of state uni-
Another remarkable technical uni-
and engineering, especially in vacuum
versities. Kharkov National Univer-
versity in Kiev is the National Aviation
electronics, quasioptical circuits, remote
sity [(KhNU), www.univer.kharkov.
University [(NAU), www.nau.edu.ua],
sensing, radar design, and numerical
ua] was established in 1804. It was a
founded in 1933 as a spin-off from NTU-
modeling. Millimeter-wave klystrons,
leader in the early work on L-band
KPI. It has a radio-electronics depart-
magnetrons, clinotrons, and orotrons
magnetrons and pulsed radars in the
ment, which has been involved in re-
were developed here, as well as the sys-
1920s and 1930s. In 1952, a full-scale
search on microwave avionics and
tems for hot-plasma diagnostics, masers
department of radio physics was es-
remote sensing of atmospheric phenom-
for radio astronomy, Doppler, noise and
tablished there. It has played an im-
ena. The Black Sea Navy University in
other radars, polarimeters, HTSC sensors,
portant role in developing millimeter-
Sebastopol and Odessa Ecological Uni-
RCS testing ranges, and others. The Insti-
wave
quasioptics,
vacuum
tubes,
versity have been studying microwave
tute of Radio Astronomy [(IRA), www.
semiconductor devices, HCN sub-mil-
propagation in evaporation ducts and
ira.kharkov.ua] was established in 1985 as
limeter wave lasers, and spectroscopy.
over the sea surface. Dnepropetrovsk
a spin-off from the IRE and has now de-
In 1964, Kharkov National University
National University, Kharkov National
veloped millimeter-wave magnetrons
of Radio Electronics [(KhNURE), www.
Aerospace University, Vinnitsa National
and radars for meteorology and remote
kture.kharkov.ua] was established. To-
Polytechnic University, and Sebastopol
sensing. The Institute of Low-Tempera-
day, this is the only technical university
Technical University have strong radio
ture Physics and Engineering [(ILTPE),
in Ukraine that specializes entirely on
physics and engineering departments
www. ilt.kharkov.ua] has developed a se-
electronics and computers. More re-
active in electromagnetics, solid-state
ries of multipurpose microwave devices
cently, it has been involved in R&D on
electronics, and microwave applications.
based
on
superconductivity
and
lasers, optoelectronics, and wireless
In the West Ukraine, the National Techni-
Joseffson’s effect. The Institute of Iono-
power transmission. The bulk of its
cal
University—Lvivska
Politekhnika
sphere (II) is a smaller laboratory, devel-
teachers were originally with the radio-
[(NTU-LP), www.polynet.lviv.ua], which
oped in 1994 as an offshoot from NTU-
engineering department of National
dates from 1844, has a radio-engineering
KhPI. It has a unique field facility for mi-
Technical University—Kharkov Poly-
department (which, since 1952, has be-
crowave sensing. The Donetsk Institute of
technic Institute [(NTU-KhPI), www.
come an institute of telecommunications
Physics and Technology (DIPT) has been
kpi.kharkov.ua], established in 1885.
and radio electronics) and long-lasting
involved in research of microwave fer-
Between 1955 and 1992, the Kharkov
traditions of research into microwave an-
rites and other magnetic effects and appli-
Military University (KhMU) was better
tennas, electromagnetic compatibility,
cations. The new Institute of Applied
known as the USSR Military Academy
and medical engineerin g. Smaller units
Physics in Sumy and the Institute of Elec-
of Radio Engineering. This used to be
of radio physics, microwaves, and tele-
tron Physics in Uzhgorod are involved in
the most reputable military school for
communications exist in all the other na-
beam physics research, including the de-
microwaves, radar, and communica-
tional and technical universities,
tions. Many first-class researchers of
whose number is around 50, in
microwave sources, antenna arrays, ra-
Kiev, Lviv, Ternopil, Chernivtsy,
dar, and signal processing worked
Zhytomir, Zaporozhye, Kharkov,
there, although their achievements were
Odessa,
Kherson,
Donetsk,
not well known, even in the Soviet Un-
Simferopol, etc.
ion. The department of radio physics of
Kiev National University (www.univ.
kiev.ua), founded in 1834, is active in
Academy of Sciences
semiconductor and quantum electron
NASU (www.nas.gov.ua) is a
devices and polarimetry. The National
network of government R&D in-
Technical University—Kiev Polytech-
stitutes employing over 40,000
nic Institute [(NTU-KPI), www. ntu-
staff, including 13,000 scientists,
kpi.kiev.ua] was established in 1898
9,800 of whom hold a Ph.D. or
and today is the largest Ukrainian tech-
higher degree. There are a num-
nical university. It has had a radio-engi-
ber of institutes that have played
neering department since 1952 and
a key role in advancing micro-
now also has departments of electron-
waves in the Soviet Union and
Figure 1. Single-antenna L-band pulsed radar
ics and telecommunications. In the
Ukraine. Most of them are lo-
”Zenit,” developed in UIPT (1938-1943).
84 IEEE
magazine
December 2002
velopment of microwave sources and
Kharkov as the first U.S.S.R. center of re-
Ukrainian
Earth-observation
satellite
sensors. In Sebastopol, the Institute of
search in electromagnetic durability and
Sich, launched in 1996 in Russia by a
Marine Geophysics studies wave propa-
compatibility of electronic systems. It has
Ukrainian booster. Today it participates in
gation over the sea surface. There is a re-
a
huge
countryside
testing
range
the international project “Sea Launch,” to-
markable cluster of NASU institutes in
equipped with various EMP simulators.
gether with Russia, Norway, and the
Kiev, although they are more related to
In Kharkov, there is also the Institute of
United States, which has already placed
other engineering sciences and physics.
Radio Measurements, which originally
several satellites in orbit. The Generator
Among them, the Institute of Semicon-
related to the U.S.S.R. ministry of space
Industry in Kiev produces a variety of
ductor
Physics
(www.isp.kiev.ua),
industry and is now a joint-stock com-
high-power vacuum tubes for industrial
founded in 1960, is very active in semi-
pany. It works on microwave antennas,
and other applications. The Topaz Indus-
conductor devices for microwaves and
space-borne radars, remote sensing, and
try in Donetsk has recently entered inter-
optoelectronics. The Institute of Physics
biomedical applications. The Institute of
national markets with a brand-new
(founded in 1929, www.iop.kiev.ua) has
Metrology is responsible for national
broadband Kolchuga electronic intelli-
been involved in tunable lasers and
standardization in the area of micro-
gence station and Pogonya countermea-
solid-state microwave sources and re-
waves. There is a cluster of R&D centers
sure station. Design Bureau Nezhinskoye,
ceivers. The largest NASU institution in
in Kiev that formerly belonged to the
in Nezhin, has developed optoelectronic
the West Ukraine is the Institute of Phys-
U.S.S.R. ministries of radio industry,
sensors and now offers Kvitnyk self-
ics and Mechanics [(IPM), www.ipm.
electronic industry, and communica-
guided artillery shells for sale. The Radar
lviv.ua], founded in 1951 in Lviv. It is ac-
tions. Here, a major national center in
Industry in Kiev is known for the produc-
tive in microwave theory, optoelectron-
GaAs technologies is the Saturn Institute
tion of wideband airborne weather and
ics, nondestructive testing, and radio
(www. jssaturn.kiev.ua), which was
navigation radars. The Znamya Industry
astronomy. The Scientific Council of
founded in 1968, has been a joint stock
in Poltava manufactures microwave and
NASU on Radio Physics and Microwave
company since 1994, and is a huge com-
millimeter-wave TWTs with very attrac-
Electronics, currently headed by the di-
plex of research laboratories and clean
tive characteristics, including low-noise
rector of the IRE, is coordinating NASU
production lines involved in the develop-
amplifiers.
policy in the broad area of microwaves.
ment and production of communication
systems, microwave ICs, and microwave
Microwave Chapters
Other Government and
and millimeter-wave transmitter-receiver
and Conferences
Public R&D Organizations
modules. The Orion Institute is well
There are four joint chapters of the IEEE
The National Scientific Center— Kharkov
known for the development of advanced
MTT-S
in
Ukraine:
AP/ED/MTT/
Institute of Physics and Technology
microwave
and
millimeter-
wave
CPMT SSC West Ukraine in Lviv (since
[(NSC-KhIPT),
www.kipt.kharkov.ua]
solid-state devices and systems, vacuum
1995); AP/NPS/AES/ED/ MTT/GRS/
was founded in 1929 as UIPT. Before
sources, and radars. The Buran Institute
EMB East Ukraine in Kharkov (since
1992, it belonged to the U.S.S.R. nuclear
is famous for a family of microwave air-
1995,
www.rocket.kharkov.ua/~eua
industry and used to enjoy generous
borne weather radars developed in the
chapter); ED/MTT/ CPMT/ COM/SSC
funding. Its main profile was connected
1980s and 1990s in collaboration with ex-
Central Ukraine in Kiev (since 1998);
to charged particle accelerators and
perts of the NAU. The Kvant Institute
and
CAS/IM/C/MTT
Vinnitsa
in
plasma science and technology. Today, it
was involved in maritime radar develop-
Vinnitsa (since 1999). The largest are
is the national center of nuclear science
ments and applications. In Lviv, a re-
East Ukraine, which has 50 members
and technology and consists of several
markable laboratory is the Institute of
and dozens of students, and West
semi-independent units. One of them is
Radio Engineering, formerly with the
Ukraine, which has 32 members and 22
the Institute of Plasma and New
U.S.S.R. ministry of radio industry
students. It became the 2001 Chapter of
Methods of Acceleration, a key labora-
(founded in 1956). Since the 1970s, it has
the Year in Region 8 in the category of
tory for developing plasma-filled high-
been active in R&D for millimeter-wave
“small and middle size chapters.” Two
power microwave sources.
and sub-millimeter wave radars and im-
other chapters have around 15 members
Another application of microwaves is
aging systems.
each. Each year, chapters hold a number
in compact accelerators of electrons, ions,
of workshops and conferences. The
and protons based on various principles.
Industry
main meetings are as follows.
The National Space Agency was created
One of the major microwave application
The Kharkov International Sympo-
in 1992 to manage the heritage of the
establishments is the Design Bureau
sium on Microwaves, Millimeter and
U.S.S.R. space industry, and capacities
Yuzhnoye. Associated with Yuzhmash In-
Sub-millimeter Waves (MSMW) has
remained in Ukraine. It operates a Center
dustry in Dnepropetrovsk, it is one of the
been held once every three years since
of Remote Sensing jointly with the IRE
three largest rocket and missile manufac-
the 1980s in Kharkov by the Scientific
and a Center of Space Facilities Control
turing sites in the former Soviet Union
Council of NASU on Radio Physics and
and Testing in the Crimea, jointly with
(along with Energiya and Khrunichev,
Microwave Electronics and the IEEE
the IRA and other organizations. The
near Moscow). It supervised the design of
East Ukraine Chapter. The main organi-
Molniya Institute was established in
microwave sensors and radars for the
zations behind it are the IRE, IRA, and
December 2002
IEEE
magazine 85
KhNU. Since 1998, it has been con-
of Physics and Technology (UIPT, now
Kharkov-type mode” in U.S.S.R. litera-
ducted in English and enjoys permanent
NSC-KhIPT)
was
established
in
ture. The innovations introduced in the
technical cosponsorship of the IEEE
Kharkov, then the capital city of
SHM enabled one to considerably reduce
MTT and ED Societies, URSI, INTAS,
Ukraine (till 1934). There, Slutskin ob-
the permanent magnetic field magnitude
and STCU. There are usually around 300
tained his second job, as a head of the
and the dimensions of the magnetron
people in attendance, including some
Laboratory of Electromagnetic Oscilla-
cavity. As a result, millimeter-wave
20-30 invited speakers and participants
tions (LEMO). His team designed and
magnetrons
were
designed
having
from the West. The next symposium will
studied both CW and pulsed mag-
champion power (e.g., pulse power of
be held 20-25 June 2004.
netrons: water-cooled, not cooled,
100 kW at the wavelength of 4 mm) [4].
The International Conference on
packaged, in glass and metal cases, tun-
By the 1990s, this technology had been
Mathematical Methods in Electromag-
able, etc. Their success attracted the at-
lost in the IRE. However, millimeter-
netic Theory (MMET) is held biennially
tention of the military, which was quite
wave magnetrons had been reborn in the
by the IEEE East Ukraine Joint Chapter
timely not only because of the pre-war
IRA, where marketable SHMs with cold-
in collaboration with IRE and Ukrainian
circumstances but also because defense
cathode are now produced for the fre-
URSI Commission B. Since 1990, it has
projects could save the team from the
quencies of 36, 94, and 140 GHz [5].
been conducted in English. It is techni-
Orwellian political purges of the late
In the early 1950s, Semion Tetelbaum
cally cosponsored by the IEEE AP, MTT,
1930s. Based on the successful source
(1905-1958) at the NTU-KPI proposed a
ED and NPS Societies, and URSI. There
development, in 1935 Slutskin started
high-power vacuum tube that can be
are usually 200 people in attendance, in-
an ambitious project, developing the
considered as a prototype of today’s
cluding some 30-40 invited speakers
first-ever
three-coordinate
L-band
gyrotron. It was based on the interaction
and participants from the West. The
pulsed radar with a working wave-
of an electron beam with a nondelayed
next conference was held 10-13 Septem-
length of 60 cm. At that time, existing
microwave field.
ber 2002 at the NTU-KPI in Kiev.
systems were able to determine only
Other tubes that had been actively de-
The International Workshop on Di-
two coordinates of targets, and it was
veloped in the 1950s through the 1970s
rect and Inverse Problems in Electro-
far from clear that L-band and the
were klystrons and BWOs. This work
magnetic and Acoustic Wave Theory
pulse method would be more promis-
was concentrated in the IRE, Orion, and
(DIPED) is organized every fall in Lviv
ing. A two-antenna radar was de-
the NTU-KPI. Grigory Levin (1910-1997)
or Tbilisi by the IEEE West Ukraine and
signed, fabricated, and tested. How-
of the IRE proposed an original version
Georgia Joint Chapters. The working
ever, at first the purges that smashed
of BWO called “clinotron” [4], [6], where
languages are Russian, Ukrainian, and
UIPT after 1937 slowed down the work.
an electron beam was scattered on a dif-
English. It enjoys technical cosponsor-
Then WWII and the defeat of the Red
fraction grating. The clinotron is charac-
ship of the IEEE ED-S. The most recent
Army in Ukraine disrupted the plans,
terized by a high CW power level (say, 2
one was held in Tbilisi 10-13 October
and no radar was put into serial pro-
W at frequencies around 140 GHz) while
2002.
duction. Before Kharkov was lost, the
retaining other advantages of BWO [7].
The Crimean Microwave Conference
LEMO team had been evacuated to
The klystron activities in IRE were di-
(CriMiCo)
was
first
held
in
the
Central Asia, where it managed to de-
rected by Alexander Usikov (1904-1995)
mid-1990s by the joint efforts of the
sign a sample single-antenna pulsed ra-
and resulted in the development of milli-
Sebastopol and Moscow communities.
dar
with
advanced
characteristics
meter-wave and sub-millimeter wave
It is now co-organized by the IEEE Cen-
(Figure 1) that was used for sea and air
tubes [4] superior to those produced in
tral Ukraine Joint Chapter and the APS
surveillance in the Arctic region. This
other labs around the word.
Moscow Chapter. It is held every Sep-
history has been published in [3].
In the 1960s, rapid development of
tember at the Sebastopol Technical Uni-
millimeter-wave technologies and la-
versity. Its language is basically Russian,
Millimeter-Wave Vacuum Tubes
sers brought to life a completely new
although Western speakers present pa-
After WWII, magnetron research contin-
vacuum electron tube: the orotron,
pers in English.
ued, with the emphasis on developing
known also as the diffraction radiation
more powerful sources of shorter waves.
oscillator (DRO), which was famous for
Historical Sketch
These works concentrated in the IRE af-
extremely high stability of oscillations.
Early Magnetrons and Radars
ter its branching off from UIPT in 1955.
This was achieved due to the use of a
Research into microwaves was initi-
They resulted in a series of millimeter-
very high-Q open resonator as an oscil-
ated in Ukraine in the 1920s by Abram
wave magnetrons designed in the
lation contour. One of its reflectors is pe-
Slutskin (1881-1950) at KhNU. In 1924,
mid-1960s by Ivan Truten (1909-1990). In
riodically grooved, either completely or
he succeeded in generating magnetron
particular, his research of higher-fre-
in part, which causes electron beam ra-
oscillations with 7.3-cm wavelength.
quency sources led to the discovery, in
diating. Petr Kapitsa (Nobel Prize win-
By the end of the decade, his studies led
1945, of the spatial-harmonic magnetron
ner) was the first to propose the idea of
the world in this area. After 1929, this
(SHM), which does not use the conven-
the orotron in 1963; however, this was
work was greatly expanded and inten-
tional π-mode for operation. The opera-
triggered by a theoretical study, done in
sified when the the Ukrainian Institute
tion mode of SHM was later called “the
KhNU, on the Smith-Purcell radiation of
86 IEEE
magazine
December 2002
a modulated electron beam
very promising and enabled him to
moving over a periodic grating.
develop complete sub-millimeter sys-
Therefore, later on, intensive
tems, such as multichannel interferom-
theoretical and experimental
eters, for Tokamaks. This was well
research on the orotron was
before all modern trends in terahertz
conducted in Kharkov and
technologies. It was no surprise that
Moscow in parallel. In the IRE,
Kuleshov was awarded a very presti-
this work was directed by
gious IEEE MTT-S Microwave Pioneer
Viktor Shestopalov (1923-1999)
Award in 2000. From the 1970s through
and resulted in a series of small
the 1990s, HDB technology was also
power tubes of the whole milli-
used in the design of quasi-optical an-
meter-wave band [8].
tenna-feeding circuits for 2-mm band
Figure 2. Quasi-optical LEGO-like kit for a
battlefield radars and miniature RCS
sub-mm wave engineer (1971). HDB-based compo-
Wireless Power
testing ranges [10]. In such a system, a
nents developed in IRE NASU for building
Transmission
downscaled model of a studied target
wideband (λ = 0.5-1.7 mm) measuring circuits. Left
to right from top to bottom: polarization attenuator,
This challenging research was
is placed inside HDB, and the polariza-
polarization phase shifter, tunable attenuator/power
initiated by S. Tetelbaum at
tion scattering matrix of the mode
divider, polarization plane rotator, wave meter, polar-
NTU-KPI in Kiev. In the early
HE11 is measured to simulate the free-
ization transformer, tunable phase shifter, matching
1950s, he worked on power
space scattering.
unit, beam splitter, a cassette of polarization
combining of several klystrons,
discriminator, linear polarizer, right-angled bend,
with application to a microwave
Meteorological Radars
movable two-facet reflector, rotary joint, termination
city trolley bus for public trans-
In the 1960s and 1970s, important re-
load, movable reflector, two waveguide-to-beamguide
portation. His impact as a tal-
search into clouds and precipitation
transformers, telescopic section, straight section.
ented teacher was tremendous.
was conducted in the radar laboratory
One
of
his
students
was
of the Ukrainian R&D Institute of Hy-
Yevgeny Kuleshov, a future
dro-Meteorology in Kiev. This research
IEEE microwave pioneer. A new
was spearheaded by Volf Muchnik
stage of R&D came in the 1980s,
(1912-1986), who designed an X-band
when several types of rectennas
weather radar Meteorolog for accurate
were proposed in NTU-KPI and
measuring of rainfall [11]. Then, an
KhNURE for possible use in so-
NAU radar laboratory developed vari-
lar power satellite technology.
ous methods for detection of danger-
ous atmospheric phenomena with
Sub-Millimeter Wave
conventional, Doppler, and Doppler-
Quasi-Optics
polarimetric radars [12]. In the 1980s,
A very important and well-funded di-
NAU experts supervised the develop-
rection of R&D in the Soviet Union was
ment of weather radars Groza-M, Bu-
in the areas of thermonuclear and
ran, and MNRLS-85 that became
plasma science. Here, one of the major
standard airborne equipment of the
technologies was the Tokamak princi-
Tupolev,
Ilyushin,
Antonov,
and
ple. To learn how to stabilize this fusion
Yakovlev airliners. These radars were
machine, some sort of hot plasma diag-
designed in the Buran Institute and
nostics was needed. This could be done
were put into serial production at The
by using millimeter and sub-millime-
Radar Industry in Kiev. Today, the
ter waves for probing the plasma and
Antonov-140 medium-range, medium-
measuring the characteristics of the re-
capacity jetliner is assembled in Iran,
flected signal. Therefore, starting from
equipped with X-band weather radar
the late-1950s, a special laboratory was
Buran A-140 (Figure 3). This mono-
engaged in the IRE for developing
block (antenna-transmitter-receiver) dig-
sub-millimeter
wave
technologies.
ital radar is remarkable for scanning in
Very soon it was realized that quasi-op-
both horizontal and vertical planes and
tical principles should be used. Based
provides automated navigation map-
on them, Yevgeny Kuleshov (born in
ping [13].
1922) designed, in the mid-1960s,
In the 1990s, activities were initiated
Figure 3. Outdoors photo of the 36-GHz
cloud radar developed in IRA NASU in
so-called
ribbed
hollow-dielectric
at IRA to meet the demand for high-reso-
collaboration with METEK, Germany
beamguide (HDB) technology (Figure
lution, high-sensitivity cloud radars.
(2000).
2) [1], [9]. The latter happened to be
Both 36- and 95-GHz Doppler polari-
88 IEEE
magazine
December 2002
metric radars have been developed [14].
ometers. A copy of the first SLR is on
These systems provide long-term, unat-
display at the IRE.
tended operation at remote locations and
In the 1990s, research in this area
can be accessed via the Internet. It is re-
was extended due to activities in the
markable that the 95-GHz system is the
IRA, where onboard dual-frequency
first ever coherent-on-receiver Doppler
(36 and 95 GHz) SLR with an SHM
radar with a magnetron source. Here, a
source was developed and put into op-
smart digital signal processing technique
eration [14]. This work continues now
is the key to successful performance. So
toward the development of sophisti-
far, no other comparable instruments
cated SAR systems.
have been designed in Europe.
Radio Telescopes
Remote Sensing with
The Ukrainian microwave community
Side-Looking Radars
is proud of several remarkable radio
By the 1980s, remote sensing from
telescopes. They include the Ukrainian
Earth observation satellites became
T-shape radio telescope (UTR-2), the
the cutting edge of microwave science
largest in the world, operated at
and technology. The Soviet Union
decameter wavelength and located near
tried to cope with the needs of its econ-
Kharkov. The collective area of the
omy by transferring some innovations
UTR-2 is 150,000 m2, and the resolution
to the civil sector. One such applica-
is about 40 × 40-ft at the middle fre-
tion was the detection of cracks and
quency 16.7 MHz. In the 1970s,
channels in Arctic Sea ice for safe
wide-scale research was started in the
cargo navigation. In the IRE, the de-
broad area of radio astronomy, headed
partment of remote sensing, headed
by Semion Braude (born in 1911) [15].
by Anatoly Kalmykov (1936-1996), de-
Among the objects studied was Jupiter
veloped the first space-borne X-band
radiation, solar storms, quasars, galax-
side-looking radar (SLR). Equipped
ies, and other objects. Today it is man-
with an original deployable 12-m slot-
aged by the IRA and has the status of the
ted-waveguide antenna, it was placed
“National Scientific Instrument” of
in orbit onboard the Kosmos-1500 sat-
Ukraine. Since 1973, a radio-interferom-
ellite in the fall of 1985. Immediately
eter URAN, based on five radio tele-
after launch, it proved to be invaluable
scopes in the east, west, and south of
when a caravan of freighters was
Ukraine, is operational. The telescope,
blocked in the East Siberian sector of
located in the west Ukraine, is managed
the Arctic Ocean. Orbital SLR was the
by IPM NASU. It has a variable arm and
only instrument available to rescue
can be additionally used as an iono-
the caravan because it could operate in
sphere-sensing facility. In the 1980s and
the nighttime polar conditions. The
1990s, IRA designed and built several
following year, the story almost re-
microwave and millimeter-wave reflec-
peated itself in the opposite hemi-
tor-type radio telescopes.
sphere. The science ship Somov was
The RT-22 telescope in Simeiz, be-
sent to change a team of scientists at
longing to NASU, is another famous in-
one of the U.S.S.R. Antarctic stations
strument built in the 1970s and capable
but became trapped by the ice. Again,
of performing astronomical observa-
it was the orbital SLR of Kosmos-1500
tions in a wide frequency band up to
that saved the ship by providing mi-
about 140 GHz. This capability is pro-
crowave images of the ice fields neces-
vided by a unique 22-m dish antenna
sary to guide a rescue icebreaker.
with high-precision steering mechanics
Later, this technology was released to
and sensitive receivers.
the industry and used in a series of
The Center of Space Facilities Control
Earth observation satellites, Okean.
and Testing was used since the early
Today, Ukraine is proud to have its
1970s as the U.S.S.R. deep space commu-
own satellite, Sich (launched in 1996
nication center. It possesses a cluster of
and still operational), equipped with a
telescopes and radars near Yevpatoriya,
variety of sensors, including micro-
including radar with a 70-m antenna
wave SLR and millimeter-wave radi-
dish, a multireflector array of smaller
Product Info - www.ieee.org/magazines/DirectAccess
December 2002
dishes, and others. Originally, they were
new conditions of a transfer-to-market
References
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to Mars and Venus and also for planet
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Conclusion
1056-1072, Mar. 2002.
some NASU institutes offer a relaxed
This review is probably not complete
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[3] A.A. Kostenko, A.I. Nosich, and I.A.
and may be extended. Additional refer-
Tishchenko, “Development of the first Soviet
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3-coordinate L-band pulsed radar in Kharkov
ences and other information can be
small. Therefore, the international com-
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However, even this quick glance of
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Acknowledgments
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Conf. (EuMC-02), Milan, Italy, 2002.
PO Box 273,
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