Plenary
From Components to turn-key Systems: Innovations in Aerospace through Miniaturization & Heterogeneous Integration
Advances in low-loss RF materials, microwave monolithic devices, multi-layer ceramics, multi-layer printed wiring boards, along with advanced die attachment and heterogeneously integrated electronics are driving innovations in aerospace systems across terrestrial, airborne, naval and space environments. The burgeoning commercial 5G/6G communication market has made RF integrated circuits (RFICs) widely accessible to consumers, allowing easy access to the latest technologies. Additionally, enhancements in computing power and the availability of full-wave commercial simulation software have empowered independent contributors to engage in this evolving landscape. Once considered cutting edge, multi-mode, multi-band, wide-beam scanning, phased arrays are now easily accessible commodities. Academic and industry researchers are now going beyond the front-end to include the back-end along with the processing to complete a turn-key system solution to aerospace challenges. These architectures require a broader range of interdisciplinary teams that include the system, the RF circuits/antennas/filters, RFICs, up/down converters, and modems along with machine learning, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies to enhance system capabilities. The convergence of these advances is fostering the creation of unprecedented low-latency communication networks, large-scale distributed sensor grids, and autonomous swarms of unmanned platforms.
Julio Navarro is a Principal Senior Technical Fellow (PSTF) of the Boeing Company and a member of the National Academy of Engineering (sections 1 & 7) for the development and implementation of phased-array sensors and communication systems in aerospace applications. He is a subject matter expert in radio frequency (RF) circuits, antennas & heterogeneously-integrated electronics. He provides technical leadership and guidance and has initiated, designed and delivered many phased array antennas (PAAs) for unmanned aerial vehicles, aircraft, ships, submarines, satellites and missiles. He defines, shapes and develops technical concepts along with product planning roadmaps to advance the state-of-the-art, improve performance and deliver efficiency gains to our business unit customers.
Before his current position, Dr. Navarro was the key innovator in the design, development and transition of Ku- and Ka-band compact radar sensors, as well as the Ku-band directional network (DNW) line-of-sight communication PAAs. His designs have transitioned to the Zumwalt class DDG1000 Command-Data-Link PAAs, the UAE Small-Form Factor Ka-band SATCOM PAAs and mm-wave PAAs on the Talon Hate efforts. For nearly two decades, Dr. Navarro’s integrated ceramic module design served the government VIP Strategic Air Mission (SAM) fleet in the arbitrary linear-pol
transmit PAAs of the Boeing Broadband SATCOM Network (BBSN). The VIP SAM fleet of Boeing derivative aircraft include the VC-25, C40 and C32 biz jets.
Dr. Navarro began his career with Boeing Heritage in 1996 in Information, Space and Defense Systems as a principal RF designer for the Teledesic Phased Array program. Since joining Boeing’s RF technology and PAA group, he has introduced electronic packaging architectures that have increased integration and functionality, and reduced the number of piece-parts resulting in significant PAA cost reduction. He is now in the Mission Systems organization of BR&T and may consult for Omni-Patch Designs, Inc.
Dr. Navarro served as Boeing’s executive sponsor for the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and a mentor for Great Minds in STEM for nearly two decades. He has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications, has been granted 33 U.S. patents and has received four Boeing Special Invention Awards.
In 2021, Dr. Navarro was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering for the development and implementation of phased-array sensors and communication systems for aerospace applications. Julio received the 2017 Engineer of the Year from Great Minds in STEM, the 2015 Scientist of the Year from the Black Engineer of the Year organization, the 2014 President’s Award from SHPE, the GMIS’s Hispanic in Technology Award of 2011, SHPE’s STAR Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement of 2008 and HENAAC’s Most Promising Engineer of 2001.
Dr. Navarro has a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering, and a doctorate from Texas A&M University in 1988, 1990 and 1995, respectively. His focus areas are electromagnetics, solid-state electronics and communications.