Electrically switchable, Ka-band slotted waveguide antenna array system

An original electrically switchable, Ka-band slotted waveguide antenna array system has been recently developed, produced, and tested. The system consists of four identical sections, which are connected to a radar transmitter/receiver by means of a high-power, multipole p-i-n switch. The introduce...

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Date:2008
Main Authors: Sekretarov, S.S., Vavriv, D.M., Volkov, V.A., Natarov, M.P., Glamazdin, V.V.
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Language:English
Published: Electrically switchable, ka-band slotted waveguide antenna array system / S.S. Sekretarov, D.M. Vavriv, V.A. Volkov, M.P. Natarov, V.V. Glamazdin // Радіофізика та електроніка. — 2008. — Т. 13, № 3. — С. 489-493. — Бібліогр.: 4 назв. — англ. 2008
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Online Access:https://nasplib.isofts.kiev.ua/handle/123456789/10793
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Cite this:Electrically switchable, Ka-band slotted waveguide antenna array system / S.S. Sekretarov, D.M. Vavriv, V.A. Volkov, M.P. Natarov, V.V. Glamazdin // Радіофізика та електроніка. — 2008. — Т. 13, № 3. — С. 489-493. — Бібліогр.: 4 назв. — англ.

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Digital Library of Periodicals of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
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author Sekretarov, S.S.
Vavriv, D.M.
Volkov, V.A.
Natarov, M.P.
Glamazdin, V.V.
author_facet Sekretarov, S.S.
Vavriv, D.M.
Volkov, V.A.
Natarov, M.P.
Glamazdin, V.V.
citation_txt Electrically switchable, Ka-band slotted waveguide antenna array system / S.S. Sekretarov, D.M. Vavriv, V.A. Volkov, M.P. Natarov, V.V. Glamazdin // Радіофізика та електроніка. — 2008. — Т. 13, № 3. — С. 489-493. — Бібліогр.: 4 назв. — англ.
collection DSpace DC
description An original electrically switchable, Ka-band slotted waveguide antenna array system has been recently developed, produced, and tested. The system consists of four identical sections, which are connected to a radar transmitter/receiver by means of a high-power, multipole p-i-n switch. The introduced p-i-n switch enables for a fast electrical scanning of the antenna beam what essentially extends possible areas of the antenna system application. The antenna system is used in a helicopter collision avoidance, surveillance, and weather radar. This paper describes design features of the antenna system, its main characteristics, results of its testing, and the antenna integration in the radar. У роботі представлено оригінальну конструкцію хвилевідно-щілинної антенної системи Ka-діапазону з електричним скануванням променя. Система складається з чотирьох однакових секцій, які підключені до приймача-передавача через мультипольний p-i-n перемикач великої потужності. Запропонований p-i-n перемикач дозволяє здійснювати швидке електричне сканування променя антени, що істотно збільшує сферу застосування антенної системи. Розроблену антенну систему було застосовано в радарі, призначеному для забезпечення безпеки польоту гелікоптерів, а також контролю метеоумов. У статті описано властивості антенної системи, наведено її основні характеристики, результати тестувань та інтеграції антени в радар. В работе представлена оригинальная конструкция волноводно-щелевой антенной системы Ka-диапазона с электрическим сканированием луча. Система состоит из четырех одинаковых секций, которые подключены к приемо-передатчику через мультипольный p-i-n переключатель большой мощности. Предложенный p-i-n переключатель позволяет осуществлять быстрое электрическое сканирование луча антенны, что существенно расширяет область применения антенной системы. Разработанная антенная система была применена в радаре, предназначенном для обеспечения безопасности полета вертолетов, а также контроля метеоусловий. В статье описаны свойства антенной системы, приведены ее основные характеристики, результаты тестирования и интеграции антенны в радар.
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fulltext __________ ISSN 1028-821X Радиофизика и электроника, том 13, № 3, 2008, с. 489-493 ИРЭ НАН Украины, 2008 УДК 537.86:621.396.677.71 ELECTRICALLY SWITCHABLE, KA-BAND SLOTTED WAVEGUIDE ANTENNA ARRAY SYSTEM S. S. Sekretarov, D. M. Vavriv, V. A. Volkov, M. P. Natarov * , V. V. Glamazdin * Institute of Radio Astronomy of the National Academy of Science of Ukraine 4, Chervonopraporna St., Kharkov, 61002, Ukraine E-mail: vavriv@radar.kharkov.com * A. Usikov Institute of Radio Physics and Electronics of the National Academy of Science of Ukraine 12, Ac. Proskura St., Kharkov, 61085, Ukraine E-mail: natarov@ire.kharkov.ua An original electrically switchable, Ka-band slotted waveguide antenna array system has been recently developed, produced, and tested. The system consists of four identical sections, which are connected to a radar transmitter/receiver by means of a high-power, multipole p-i-n switch. The introduced p-i-n switch enables for a fast electrical scanning of the antenna beam what essentially extends possible areas of the antenna system application. The antenna system is used in a helicopter collision avoidance, surveillance, and weather radar. This paper describes design features of the antenna system, its main characteristics, results of its testing, and the antenna integration in the radar. Figs. 9. Tabl. 1. Ref.: 4 titles. Key words: slotted waveguide antenna, Ka-band antenna, p-i-n switch, collision avoidance radar. In this paper, we describe an electrically switchable, Ka-band antenna array system, which has been designed for airborne radar applications. The system consists of four identical sections, which are slotted waveguide arrays. The sections are connected to a radar transmitter/receiver by means of a high- power, multipole p-i-n switch. The slotted waveguide arrays have been developed by using modern antenna simulation techniques and original approaches to the antenna design described in [1, 2]. The p-i-n switch used in the antenna system is the state-of-the-art device which is characterized by both a high commutated power – of about several kilowatts, and a rather low switching time – of about several microseconds. The developed antenna system combines known advantages of slotted waveguide arrays, like high efficient, strength of the antenna construction, extended frequency operation range, high power operation capability, small dimensions and weight. The introduced p-i-n switch enables for a fast electrical scanning of the antenna beam what essentially extents possible areas of the antenna system application. So far, the antenna system has been successfully introduced in a helicopter collision avoidance, surveillance, and weather radar. The radar is intended for providing the flight safety of helicopters, including detection of wires of power lines and other obstacles, monitoring of meteorological conditions on the direction of flight, and providing a secure landing. 1. Design of the antenna section. Each individual section of the antenna system is produced as a slotted antenna array made of rectangular waveguides, as shown in Fig. 1. The section consists of a collection of nine identical linear radiating arrays. Longitudinal slots are arranged in the broad wall of the radiating waveguides. The radiating waveguides are fed via inclined coupling slots from a crossed feeding waveguide. In order to realize a wideband antenna operation, the arrays operate in a non-resonant (travelling-wave) radiating mode. The feeding waveguide is a resonant (standing-wave) device. Fig. 1. Antenna construction The H-plane radiation pattern is determined by that of the single radiating waveguide, whereas the E-plane pattern is defined by feeding of the radiating waveguides. According to the work [1], we synthesize the radiation pattern in both planes by using the following amplitude distribution: , 1 exp 1 1 2 2 N Nn N Nn U n (1) where Un is the normalized amplitude at the n-th slot; 12N is the number of slots, = 0,8, = 2,3, = 0,85. This distribution enables for the realization x z y mailto:vavriv@radar.kharkov.com mailto:natarov@ire.kharkov.ua С. С. Секретарев и др. / Волноводно-щелевая антенна… __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 490 of radiation patterns having both maximal gain and minimal sidelobe level. As an initial approximation, we synthesize the radiating array by using the energy method [3]. The dependence of the slot radiation coefficient )( 1x versus the slot offset from the waveguide centerline has been determined by using FDTD- simulations. So the slot offsets have been determined from the function )( 1x , which is shown in Fig. 2. It should be mentioned that the slot dimensions, used in our computations, were as follows: the length of 3.9 mm and the width of 0,8 mm. Such length is close to the slot resonant length at the frequency of 35.5 GHz. Fig. 2. Slot radiation coefficient versus the slot offset The final values for the slot offsets have been obtained by using the FDTD-simulations. The performed synthesis has resulted in optimal slot offsets, which realize the needed amplitude distribution. The initial and optimal slot offsets are shown in Fig. 3. The difference between them shows the effect of mutual coupling of the radiating slots. Fig. 3. First approximation for the slot offsets and that after the adjustment: – energy method; – after adjustment Neighboring slots are spaced at a distance of about 2/g , and so they have to be shifted at the opposite sides from the waveguide centerline to produce an additional phase shift of for the required phase distribution. The usage of the standard Ka-band waveguide in the antenna design is not acceptable because the E-plane slot spacing in this case is about the wavelength, and due to this, intensive grating lobes are excited. In order to overcome the problem, we have designed the plane array consisted of 9 linear slotted waveguides with the crossection of 5,5 mm over 2,5 mm and the wall thickness of 0,9 mm. The energy distribution between the radiating waveguides is arranged by means of a crossed waveguide with inclined slots in the center of its broad wall. Such feeding is sufficiently compact, easy-to-design, and easy-to-make. The radiating waveguides are fed in-phase what is achieved by the half-of-wavelength slot spacing in the feeding waveguide along with the opposite in sign tilt of the neighboring slots. Such slot spacing is realized provided the feeding waveguide width is 2 00 2/12/ taa rf , where t is the wall thickness between the radiating waveguides; fa and ra are the broad wall widths for the feeding and radiating waveguides, respectively. In accordance with this formula, the fa -value is 5,77 mm. The slot dimensions for the feeding waveguide have been selected as 4 mm over 0,8 mm. Again, FDTD-simulations have been used to calculate the coupling coefficient for the crossed waveguides. In Fig. 4, the coupling coefficient amplitude (a) and the phase (b) are shown as functions of the slot tilt angle measured with respect to the feeding waveguide axis. The needed tilt angle for each of the coupling slots has been determined from Fig. 4 with the following adjustment by using of FDTD- simulations to realize the aperture distribution (1) in the x-direction. As the final step of the antenna design, we have performed numerical simulations of the complete antenna structure, which include the plane array and the feeding system. These simulations have confirmed the correctness of the solution introduced. The beam width realized by the antenna section is 10 in the E-plane and 2 in the H-plane. The section dimensions are 310×72×9 mm 3 . Slot offset x1, mm S lo t ra d ia ti o n c o ef fi ci en t α (x 1 ) Slot number S lo t o ff se t x 1 , m m С. С. Секретарев и др. / Волноводно-щелевая антенна… __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 491 a) b) Fig. 4. Cross-waveguides coupling coefficient versus the slot tilt angle: a) amplitude; b) phase 2. Measurement results. The designed antenna sections have been fabricated by using metal coating, milling, electric-sparking, and laser welding technologies. These technologies allow for producing such antennas with rather high reproducibility of the antenna characteristics. We have also observed a rather high degree of compliance of the measured and simulated results. In Fig. 5, the corresponding comparison is shown for the radiation patterns in both planes. Fig. 6 plots and compares the dependence of the VSWR on the operating frequency obtained from the theoretical and experimental results. The antenna demonstrates a rather low value of the VSWR in the prescribed frequency band what simplifies its matching with radar transmitter and receiver. In order to protect the antenna from dust and moisture, a radome coating has been designed and introduced. The radome is made of a 4 mm foam sheet placed directly on the antenna radiating surface. The sheet is stabilized by means of 50 µm lavsan film. As it can be seen from Fig. 5, the radome exerts a rather small influence on the radiation pattern. The main lobe of the pattern measured in the H-plane is a little wider (below the 3 dB level) than the calculated one. It is because of phase errors associated with the finite tolerance of the antenna fabrication. The level of sidelobes is as low as –23 dB what satisfy the design goal as well. a) b) Fig. 5. Calculated and measured radiation pattern for designed plane slotted array: a) – H-plane; b) – E-plane. – calculated; – – measured; – measured with cover Fig. 6. – calculated and – measured VSWR 3. Antenna system. The complete antenna system consists of four independent slotted waveguide sections, which are shown in Fig. 7 integrated to a transmitter/receiver module of an airborne radar. Coupling slot titl angle, degress C ro ss -w av eg u id es c o u p li n g co ef fi ci en t am p li tu d e Coupling slot titl angle, degress C ro ss -w av eg u id es c o u p li n g co ef fi ci en t p h as e θ, degress H -p la n e ra d ia ti o n p at te rn , d B E -p la n e ra d ia ti o n p at te rn , d B θ, degress Frequency, GHz V S W R С. С. Секретарев и др. / Волноводно-щелевая антенна… __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 492 Fig. 7. A photo of the antenna system integrated to a transmitter/receiver module Each antenna section forms the radiation pattern with the beamwidth of 10º in the elevation plane and 2º in the azimuth plane. The gain of each antenna section is over 30 dB. The antenna beams are displaced with the step of 16º in the elevation plane providing the total observation sector of about 60º as illustrated in Fig. 8. Fig. 8. Antenna pattern in the elevation plane The sections are switched electrically by using an original high power reciprocal SP4T switch based on p-i-n diodes. The switch is based on three waveguide Y-junctions connected as a binary tree shown in Fig. 9. The junctions of the second stage of the tree are ended by a reflective switches based on p-i-n diodes. Each switch utilizes two diodes included in resonant circuitry and operates in so-called inverse mode, when a high reflection occurs while the diode is biased in the reverse direction. The maximum peak power for such configuration is as high as 2,5 kW with the switching time as low as 1 µsec. It should be stressed that the proposed switch design minimizes the amplitude of the RF voltage across the diodes. The lengths of each branch of the Y-junctions are adjusted in order to optimize performance of the switch. The bandwidth of the switch is about ±3 %. Fig. 9. A block-diagram of SP4T switch Principal parameters of the antenna system are summarized in table below. The produced antenna along with other hardware and software solutions has enabled for achieving rather attractive characteristics of the complete radar system, which is the helicopter collision avoidance, surveillance, and weather radar [4]. Parameter Value Operation frequency range, GHz 35±0,2 Number of antenna sections 4 Antenna section switching electrical Antenna section switching time, µsec 2 Antenna switch decoupling, dB > 25 Antenna switch insertion losses <1,5 dB Commutated pulsed power, kW 5 (max) Commutated averaged power, W 5 (max) Beam width of in H-plane, deg 2 Beam width of in E-plane, deg 10 Beam scanning range in E-plane, deg 60 Antenna gain, dB >30 Sidelobe level, dB <–20 dB VSWR <1,2 Dimension of the antenna section, mm3 310×72×9 Weight of the antenna section, kg 0,3 Conclusions. An original electrically switchable, Ka-band antenna array system has been developed, produced, and tested. A high reproducibility of the antenna characteristics have been observed along with a high degree of their compliance with the simulation results. The antenna system has been designed for airborne application. It is used in a helicopter collision avoidance, surveillance, and weather radar. С. С. Секретарев и др. / Волноводно-щелевая антенна… __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 493 The authors would like to thank A. Popov and L. Shevtsova for their valuable contributions to this work. 1. Glamazdin V. V., Lukin K. A., Skresanov V. N. Improvement of basic synthetic aperture pattern characteristic by comparison method // Radiophisics and Electronics. – 2005. – 10, No. 1. – P. 77-84. 2. Sekretarov S. S., Vavriv D. M., Natarov M. P., Glamaz- din V. V. Development of a Ka-band slotted antenna array / Proc. of MSMW’07, Kharkov. – 2007. – 2. – P. 672-674. 3. Antennas and Microwave Devices (Design of the Phase Antenna Arrays) / Editor D. I. Voskresenskiy. – Moscow.: Radio and Sviaz. – 1981. – P. 432 (in Russian). 4. Volkov V. A., Vavriv D. M., Kozhin R. V. et al. A Ka-band, magnetron based scanning radar for airborne applications / Proc. of EUMW 2007, Munich – 2007. – P. 1465-1468. ВОЛНОВОДНО-ЩЕЛЕВАЯ АНТЕННА, СИСТЕМА Ka-ДИАПАЗОНА С ЭЛЕКТРИЧЕСКИМ СКАНИРОВАНИЕМ ЛУЧА С. С. Секретарев, Д. М. Ваврив, В. А. Волков, М. П. Натаров, В. В. Гламаздин В работе представлена оригинальная конструкция волноводно-щелевой антенной системы Ka-диапазона с электрическим сканированием луча. Система состоит из четырех одинаковых секций, которые подключены к приемо- передатчику через мультипольный p-i-n переключатель большой мощности. Предложенный p-i-n переключатель позволяет осуществлять быстрое электрическое сканирование луча антенны, что существенно расширяет область применения антенной системы. Разработанная антенная система была применена в радаре, предназначенном для обеспечения безопасности полета вертолетов, а также контроля метеоусловий. В статье описаны свойства антенной системы, приведены ее основные характеристики, результаты тестирования и интеграции антенны в радар. Ключевые слова: волноводно-щелевая антенна, антенна Ka-диапазона, p-i-n переключатель, радар обеспечения безопасности полетов. ХВИЛЕВІДНО-ЩІЛИННА АНТЕНА, СИСТЕМА Ka- ДІАПАЗОНУ З ЕЛЕКТРИЧНИМ СКАНУВАННЯМ ПРОМЕНЯ С. С. Секретарьов, Д. М. Ваврів, В. А. Волков, М. П. Натаров, В. В. Гламаздін У роботі представлено оригінальну конструкцію хвилевідно-щілинної антенної системи Ka-діапазону з електричним скануванням променя. Система складається з чотирьох однакових секцій, які підключені до приймача- передавача через мультипольний p-i-n перемикач великої потужності. Запропонований p-i-n перемикач дозволяє здійснювати швидке електричне сканування променя антени, що істотно збільшує сферу застосування антенної системи. Розроблену антенну систему було застосовано в радарі, призначеному для забезпечення безпеки польоту гелікоптерів, а також контролю метеоумов. У статті описано властивості антенної системи, наведено її основні характеристики, результати тестувань та інтеграції антени в радар. Ключові слова: хвилевідно-щілинна антена, антена Ka-діапазону, p-i-n перемикач, радар забезпечення безпеки польотів. Рукопись поступила 3 июня 2008 г.
id nasplib_isofts_kiev_ua-123456789-10793
institution Digital Library of Periodicals of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
issn 1028-821X
language English
last_indexed 2025-11-28T03:30:23Z
publishDate 2008
publisher Electrically switchable, ka-band slotted waveguide antenna array system / S.S. Sekretarov, D.M. Vavriv, V.A. Volkov, M.P. Natarov, V.V. Glamazdin // Радіофізика та електроніка. — 2008. — Т. 13, № 3. — С. 489-493. — Бібліогр.: 4 назв. — англ.
record_format dspace
spelling Sekretarov, S.S.
Vavriv, D.M.
Volkov, V.A.
Natarov, M.P.
Glamazdin, V.V.
2010-08-06T15:28:24Z
2010-08-06T15:28:24Z
2008
Electrically switchable, Ka-band slotted waveguide antenna array system / S.S. Sekretarov, D.M. Vavriv, V.A. Volkov, M.P. Natarov, V.V. Glamazdin // Радіофізика та електроніка. — 2008. — Т. 13, № 3. — С. 489-493. — Бібліогр.: 4 назв. — англ.
1028-821X
https://nasplib.isofts.kiev.ua/handle/123456789/10793
537.86:621.396.677.71
An original electrically switchable, Ka-band slotted waveguide antenna array system has been recently developed, produced, and tested. The system consists of four identical sections, which are connected to a radar transmitter/receiver by means of a high-power, multipole p-i-n switch. The introduced p-i-n switch enables for a fast electrical scanning of the antenna beam what essentially extends possible areas of the antenna system application. The antenna system is used in a helicopter collision avoidance, surveillance, and weather radar. This paper describes design features of the antenna system, its main characteristics, results of its testing, and the antenna integration in the radar.
У роботі представлено оригінальну конструкцію хвилевідно-щілинної антенної системи Ka-діапазону з електричним скануванням променя. Система складається з чотирьох однакових секцій, які підключені до приймача-передавача через мультипольний p-i-n перемикач великої потужності. Запропонований p-i-n перемикач дозволяє здійснювати швидке електричне сканування променя антени, що істотно збільшує сферу застосування антенної системи. Розроблену антенну систему було застосовано в радарі, призначеному для забезпечення безпеки польоту гелікоптерів, а також контролю метеоумов. У статті описано властивості антенної системи, наведено її основні характеристики, результати тестувань та інтеграції антени в радар.
В работе представлена оригинальная конструкция волноводно-щелевой антенной системы Ka-диапазона с электрическим сканированием луча. Система состоит из четырех одинаковых секций, которые подключены к приемо-передатчику через мультипольный p-i-n переключатель большой мощности. Предложенный p-i-n переключатель позволяет осуществлять быстрое электрическое сканирование луча антенны, что существенно расширяет область применения антенной системы. Разработанная антенная система была применена в радаре, предназначенном для обеспечения безопасности полета вертолетов, а также контроля метеоусловий. В статье описаны свойства антенной системы, приведены ее основные характеристики, результаты тестирования и интеграции антенны в радар.
The authors would like to thank A. Popov and L. Shevtsova for their valuable contributions to this work.
en
Electrically switchable, ka-band slotted waveguide antenna array system / S.S. Sekretarov, D.M. Vavriv, V.A. Volkov, M.P. Natarov, V.V. Glamazdin // Радіофізика та електроніка. — 2008. — Т. 13, № 3. — С. 489-493. — Бібліогр.: 4 назв. — англ.
Электродинамика СВЧ
Electrically switchable, Ka-band slotted waveguide antenna array system
Волноводно-щелевая антенна, система Ka-диапазона с электрическим сканированием луча
Хвилевідно-щілинна антена, система Ka-діапазону з електричним скануванням променя
Article
published earlier
spellingShingle Electrically switchable, Ka-band slotted waveguide antenna array system
Sekretarov, S.S.
Vavriv, D.M.
Volkov, V.A.
Natarov, M.P.
Glamazdin, V.V.
Электродинамика СВЧ
title Electrically switchable, Ka-band slotted waveguide antenna array system
title_alt Волноводно-щелевая антенна, система Ka-диапазона с электрическим сканированием луча
Хвилевідно-щілинна антена, система Ka-діапазону з електричним скануванням променя
title_full Electrically switchable, Ka-band slotted waveguide antenna array system
title_fullStr Electrically switchable, Ka-band slotted waveguide antenna array system
title_full_unstemmed Electrically switchable, Ka-band slotted waveguide antenna array system
title_short Electrically switchable, Ka-band slotted waveguide antenna array system
title_sort electrically switchable, ka-band slotted waveguide antenna array system
topic Электродинамика СВЧ
topic_facet Электродинамика СВЧ
url https://nasplib.isofts.kiev.ua/handle/123456789/10793
work_keys_str_mv AT sekretarovss electricallyswitchablekabandslottedwaveguideantennaarraysystem
AT vavrivdm electricallyswitchablekabandslottedwaveguideantennaarraysystem
AT volkovva electricallyswitchablekabandslottedwaveguideantennaarraysystem
AT natarovmp electricallyswitchablekabandslottedwaveguideantennaarraysystem
AT glamazdinvv electricallyswitchablekabandslottedwaveguideantennaarraysystem
AT sekretarovss volnovodnoŝelevaâantennasistemakadiapazonasélektričeskimskanirovaniemluča
AT vavrivdm volnovodnoŝelevaâantennasistemakadiapazonasélektričeskimskanirovaniemluča
AT volkovva volnovodnoŝelevaâantennasistemakadiapazonasélektričeskimskanirovaniemluča
AT natarovmp volnovodnoŝelevaâantennasistemakadiapazonasélektričeskimskanirovaniemluča
AT glamazdinvv volnovodnoŝelevaâantennasistemakadiapazonasélektričeskimskanirovaniemluča
AT sekretarovss hvilevídnoŝílinnaantenasistemakadíapazonuzelektričnimskanuvannâmpromenâ
AT vavrivdm hvilevídnoŝílinnaantenasistemakadíapazonuzelektričnimskanuvannâmpromenâ
AT volkovva hvilevídnoŝílinnaantenasistemakadíapazonuzelektričnimskanuvannâmpromenâ
AT natarovmp hvilevídnoŝílinnaantenasistemakadíapazonuzelektričnimskanuvannâmpromenâ
AT glamazdinvv hvilevídnoŝílinnaantenasistemakadíapazonuzelektričnimskanuvannâmpromenâ