AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar is at the core of both current and future radar systems. Major military powers such as the United States, China, and Japan have already deployed AESA radars on advanced fighter aircraft and warships. Korea’s next-generation fighter aircraft, the KF-21 Boramae, is also equipped with a domestically developed AESA radar. As a result, AESA radar has become the industry standard, gradually replacing both PESA (Passive Electronically Scanned Array) and traditional mechanically scanned array (MSA) radar systems.
[Fig] AESA Radar Installed on the KF-21 Boramae Fighter Aircraft
Phased array radar technology fundamentally transformed radar performance. Unlike conventional mechanical radar systems, phased array radars employ multiple Transmit/Receive (TR) modules that independently control the phase of radio waves to direct radar beams electronically. By transmitting electromagnetic waves in a specific direction and measuring the time required for reflected signals to return, these systems can determine target distance and location. Through phase control across antenna arrays, beam steering can be achieved without physically moving the antenna. This capability has enabled phased array radar to replace conventional mechanical radar and become the global standard.
[Fig] Examples of Conventional Mechanical Radar and Phased Array Radar Systems
Phased array radar systems can be divided into PESA and AESA technologies. PESA radars utilize a single TR module to transmit and receive signals. In contrast, AESA radars employ multiple independent TR modules. These modules operate autonomously, allowing flexible beamforming, frequency modulation, and signal management. As a result, AESA radars can simultaneously track multiple targets while maintaining high survivability in electronic warfare environments. AESA radar systems represent a convergence of advanced materials, components, and equipment technologies, requiring high-performance chipsets, active devices, antennas, and other sophisticated subsystems.
[Fig] Comparison Between PESA and AESA Radar Technologies
Korean companies are actively developing technologies related to AESA radar systems. One notable company is Sigzen Guru Co., Ltd. (CEO: Youngjin Kim). The company specializes in RF technology development and has focused on high-performance frequency synthesizers and broadband converters for radar and RF communication systems. In particular, its broadband frequency synthesizers and broadband transceivers are critical components used in AESA radar systems. In recognition of its technological capabilities, Sigzen Guru secured selection for the Deep Tech TIPS program (up to KRW 1.5 billion in support) and successfully raised KRW 2.7 billion in Series A funding. The company expects its technologies to become key export components for the rapidly growing Korean defense industry.
[Fig] Sigzen Guru’s Core AESA Components: Frequency Synthesizer and Broadband Transceiver Products
Other Korean companies are also actively developing AESA-related technologies. SkyChips Co., Ltd. (CEO: Kangyoon Lee), a semiconductor company, develops RF solutions that serve as core components in AESA radar systems. SkyChips has developed a PLL (Phase-Locked Loop) locking-time compensation technology that utilizes automatic compensation based on displacement differences during frequency synthesis. This innovation enables efficient low-power wireless communications between devices.
[Fig] Example of SkyChips’ RF Solution Technology
The Korean Ministry of National Defense is also aggressively pursuing AESA radar development. Korea’s first domestically developed AESA radar was the SPS-550K naval air-surveillance radar, followed by the AESA radar developed for the KF-21 fighter aircraft. Looking ahead, AESA radar systems are being developed for the next-generation destroyer KDDX and the L-SAM II Korean missile defense system. As these defense programs expand, demand for AESA-related technologies and suppliers is expected to grow significantly.
[Fig] Overview of AESA Radar Systems Being Developed for the KF-21 and KDDX Programs in Korea
The BLT Patent & Law Firm Research Center stated that “AESA radar-related technologies are expected to create significant new opportunities for companies.” The Center further noted that “securing intellectual property rights related to materials, components, and equipment technologies used in AESA radar systems will be an effective strategic approach.”
As of 2024, BLT Patent & Law Firm has been selected as a partner by more than 2,000 innovative startups, supporting corporate growth and success through IP acquisition, strategic planning, investment attraction, and IP-based business support, including technology-special listings.
#AESA #AESARadar #PhasedArrayRadar #PESA #SigzenGuru #SkyChips #SamyoungCeletra #LIGNex1 #HanwhaSystems #KF21 #KDDX #LSAM #DefenseTechnology #RadarTechnology
AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar is at the core of both current and future radar systems. Major military powers such as the United States, China, and Japan have already deployed AESA radars on advanced fighter aircraft and warships. Korea’s next-generation fighter aircraft, the KF-21 Boramae, is also equipped with a domestically developed AESA radar. As a result, AESA radar has become the industry standard, gradually replacing both PESA (Passive Electronically Scanned Array) and traditional mechanically scanned array (MSA) radar systems.
[Fig] AESA Radar Installed on the KF-21 Boramae Fighter Aircraft
Phased array radar technology fundamentally transformed radar performance. Unlike conventional mechanical radar systems, phased array radars employ multiple Transmit/Receive (TR) modules that independently control the phase of radio waves to direct radar beams electronically. By transmitting electromagnetic waves in a specific direction and measuring the time required for reflected signals to return, these systems can determine target distance and location. Through phase control across antenna arrays, beam steering can be achieved without physically moving the antenna. This capability has enabled phased array radar to replace conventional mechanical radar and become the global standard.
[Fig] Examples of Conventional Mechanical Radar and Phased Array Radar Systems
Phased array radar systems can be divided into PESA and AESA technologies. PESA radars utilize a single TR module to transmit and receive signals. In contrast, AESA radars employ multiple independent TR modules. These modules operate autonomously, allowing flexible beamforming, frequency modulation, and signal management. As a result, AESA radars can simultaneously track multiple targets while maintaining high survivability in electronic warfare environments. AESA radar systems represent a convergence of advanced materials, components, and equipment technologies, requiring high-performance chipsets, active devices, antennas, and other sophisticated subsystems.
[Fig] Comparison Between PESA and AESA Radar Technologies
Korean companies are actively developing technologies related to AESA radar systems. One notable company is Sigzen Guru Co., Ltd. (CEO: Youngjin Kim). The company specializes in RF technology development and has focused on high-performance frequency synthesizers and broadband converters for radar and RF communication systems. In particular, its broadband frequency synthesizers and broadband transceivers are critical components used in AESA radar systems. In recognition of its technological capabilities, Sigzen Guru secured selection for the Deep Tech TIPS program (up to KRW 1.5 billion in support) and successfully raised KRW 2.7 billion in Series A funding. The company expects its technologies to become key export components for the rapidly growing Korean defense industry.
[Fig] Sigzen Guru’s Core AESA Components: Frequency Synthesizer and Broadband Transceiver Products
Other Korean companies are also actively developing AESA-related technologies. SkyChips Co., Ltd. (CEO: Kangyoon Lee), a semiconductor company, develops RF solutions that serve as core components in AESA radar systems. SkyChips has developed a PLL (Phase-Locked Loop) locking-time compensation technology that utilizes automatic compensation based on displacement differences during frequency synthesis. This innovation enables efficient low-power wireless communications between devices.
[Fig] Example of SkyChips’ RF Solution Technology
The Korean Ministry of National Defense is also aggressively pursuing AESA radar development. Korea’s first domestically developed AESA radar was the SPS-550K naval air-surveillance radar, followed by the AESA radar developed for the KF-21 fighter aircraft. Looking ahead, AESA radar systems are being developed for the next-generation destroyer KDDX and the L-SAM II Korean missile defense system. As these defense programs expand, demand for AESA-related technologies and suppliers is expected to grow significantly.
[Fig] Overview of AESA Radar Systems Being Developed for the KF-21 and KDDX Programs in Korea
The BLT Patent & Law Firm Research Center stated that “AESA radar-related technologies are expected to create significant new opportunities for companies.” The Center further noted that “securing intellectual property rights related to materials, components, and equipment technologies used in AESA radar systems will be an effective strategic approach.”
As of 2024, BLT Patent & Law Firm has been selected as a partner by more than 2,000 innovative startups, supporting corporate growth and success through IP acquisition, strategic planning, investment attraction, and IP-based business support, including technology-special listings.
#AESA #AESARadar #PhasedArrayRadar #PESA #SigzenGuru #SkyChips #SamyoungCeletra #LIGNex1 #HanwhaSystems #KF21 #KDDX #LSAM #DefenseTechnology #RadarTechnology