By CPL Simone Liebelt
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PLTOFF
Craig Hill shows off his winning 128-point phased array
antenna, which steers the beam electronically and eliminates
the need to physically move the antenna when scanning for
targets.
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Photo
by CPL Simone Liebelt
|
A
FORMER avionics technician has been named Canberra’s Electrical
Engineering Student of the Year.
After nearly eight years as an airman, Pilot Officer Craig Hill
was commissioned through the Airman Access to the Academy Scheme
and is now completing his fourth year of an electrical engineering
degree with the University of NSW at ADFA.
PLTOFF Hill received the award after representing the university
at the annual Information Technology and Electrical Engineering
Student Presentations Awards Night held in Canberra on October
19.
Judged by a board of professional engineers, PLTOFF Hill’s
winning creation – a 128-point phased array antenna –
was commended for its immediate benefit in teaching future students
about radar capabilities.
The innovative device was designed to represent modern operational
radar systems.
He said the idea behind the project was to replace the Electrical
Engineering School’s existing parabolic radar antenna, which
moves the RF beam mechanically to track a target.
His model has the ability to steer the beam electronically, which
eliminates the need to physically move the antenna when scanning
for targets.
“Phased array antennas are the new technology antennas in
use,” PLTOFF Hill explained.
“Only modern systems within the ADF, such as the AEW&C
aircraft, implement this technology, so the idea behind my project
was to show students how these antennas operate, instead of just
reading it out of a book,” he said.
After eight months of hard work perfecting his idea, the award-winning
student felt rewarded but relieved with the final product.
“Everything was built from scratch, and because it’s
made up of 128 antennas, you’ve got to be very accurate so
the beam pattern goes in the direction you want it to.
“I didn’t think I would be able to achieve the finished
product, but it all came together in the end ... after a lot of
long days and long nights,” he said.
