Compact, high-power microwave phase shifter

Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g. – Directive – Including a steerable array

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C343S778000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06313793

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to phased array antennas. More specifically, the present invention relates to digital phase shifters for high power radio frequency phased array antennas.
2. Description of the Related Art
An integral component of a wide-scan phased array antenna is a compact phase shifter. However, most state of the art phased array antennas for radar applications require phase shifters that switch in the sub-millisecond range.
In what is commonly referred to as a digital phase shifter, the length of the phase shifter is configurable from different lengths or sections of waveguides that can be selectively switched in or out. Typically, the various sections are lengths that are proportional to each other by factors of 2. For example, one length may be twice as long as another, second length. Yet a third length may be twice as long as the second length and so on. Thus, the various sections may be selectively switched in or out, thereby being combined to change the phase, incrementally. As the effective length of the overall phase shifter is changed, the phase changes proportionally.
There are few current applications for phased array antennas using slower phase shifters, i.e., with switching in the millisecond range. However, there are current directed energy system development programs that require a phased array antenna capable of radiating extremely high power. Further, directed energy systems do not require high speed phase shifters. Unfortunately, there are no compact phase shifters currently available for these applications.
Presently, only a ferrite phase shifter is available that is capable of handling these high power levels. However, this ferrite phase shifter is large, heavy, requires liquid cooling and is very expensive.
Thus, there is a need for a compact, high-power microwave phase shifter for use with phased array antennas in high power directed energy systems. There is also a need that such a high-power microwave phase shifter be lightweight and inexpensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The need in the art is addressed by the phased array antenna of the present invention. The inventive antenna includes at least one configurable phase shifter. The configurable phase shifter includes a primary waveguide section and multiple switchable waveguide sections disposed within the primary section. The switchable waveguide sections are selectively connectable to the primary waveguide section.
In a specific implementation, the switchable waveguide sections include a U-shaped waveguide section, a plunger in the U-shaped waveguide section and one or more solenoids attached to the plunger. The solenoids drive the plunger in and out such that the switchable waveguide sections can be actuated in less than 100 milliseconds. The plunger and the switchable waveguide section are shaped such that the waveguide height is constant in the U-shaped waveguide section when the switch is closed and constant in the primary waveguide section when the switch is open, thereby minimizing return loss. The U-shaped primary waveguide section includes an input port and an output port at opposite sides. A radiating slot is located at the bottom face of the U-shaped primary waveguide section. The radiating slot may be formed in a detachable plate attached to the bottom the U-shaped primary waveguide section. Further, multiple configurable phase shifters may be cascaded to form a traveling wave phased array antenna.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5926589 (1999-07-01), Gaeta

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