U.S. patent number 3,569,974 [Application Number 04/693,531] was granted by the patent office on 1971-03-09 for dual polarization microwave energy phase shifter for phased array antenna systems.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Raytheon Company, Lexington, MA. Invention is credited to Willard W. McLeod, Jr..
United States Patent |
3,569,974 |
|
March 9, 1971 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
DUAL POLARIZATION MICROWAVE ENERGY PHASE SHIFTER FOR PHASED ARRAY
ANTENNA SYSTEMS
Abstract
A phase shifter is disclosed for supporting dual orthogonal
polarization modes of propagated microwave energy in tactical
electrically beam scanning phased array antenna systems of the
optically fed reflector type. Reentrant single port antenna array
elements provide a predetermined electrical phase shift of linear
as well as circular polarized energy. Incident waves received by
each element oriented in one plane of polarization, for example, a
vertical wave, will be electrically shifted and launched after
traversal of the device as, illustratively, a horizontally oriented
wave. Each element incorporates a circular polarizer as well as
reflective termination member together with solid state phase
shifting means.
Inventors: |
Willard W. McLeod, Jr.
(Lexington, MA) |
Assignee: |
Raytheon Company, Lexington, MA
(N/A)
|
Family
ID: |
24785051 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/693,531 |
Filed: |
December 26, 1967 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
343/754; 333/21R;
333/248; 342/376; 343/778; 333/24.1; 333/24.3; 333/250;
343/756 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01Q
3/46 (20130101); H01P 1/185 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01Q
3/46 (20060101); H01Q 3/00 (20060101); H01P
1/18 (20060101); H01P 1/185 (20060101); H01p
001/16 (); H03h 005/12 (); H01g 019/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;343/754--756,854,778,909(Cursory) ;333/24.1,24.3,21(A),21 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Other References
Frank et al., "Latching Ferrite Phase Shifter for Phased Arrays,"
The .
Microwave Journal March 1967, pp. 97--102 .
Nolen, J. C., "Phased Array Polarization Agility" IEEE Trans. on
Antennas .
& Propagation, Vol. AP--13, 1965 pp. 820--821.
|
Primary Examiner: Eli Lieberman
Assistant Examiner: Wm. H. Punter
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Harold A. Murphy Joseph D. Pannone
Edgar O. Rost
Claims
1. A dual polarization microwave energy phase shifter comprising:
waveguide means for receiving and propagating linearly polarized
electromagnetic wave energy having electric field components
oriented orthogonally in predetermined polarization planes;
solid-state phase shifting means disposed along the longitudinal
axis of said waveguide means for introducing a predetermined value
of phase shift in one orthogonal component of wave transmission and
another phase shift value upon incidence of the wave energy
component in the other orthogonal plane of wave transmission;
circular wave polarization means disposed inline following said
phase shifting means; conductive means enclosing et the end of said
waveguide means adjacent to said circular polarizer means to
present a short circuit and reflect substantially all said energy
incident thereon whereupon one orthogonal component emerges from
the circular wave polarization means having a phase delay of
180.degree. relative to its related component after traversals in a
forward and reverse direction; and said reflected energy being
propagated having a plane of polarization
2. A phase shifter according to claim 1 wherein said phase shifter
means
3. A phase shifter according to claim 1 wherein said phase shifting
means include digital latching ferromagnetic elements having binary
remanent
4. A reflector type dual polarization microwave energy phase
shifter comprising: square waveguide means both for receiving and
launching at one open end linearly polarized electromagnetic wave
energy having electric field vectors oriented in a predetermined
input plane and having orthogonal wave components: conductive means
short-circuiting the opposing end of said waveguide means to
reverse the direction of travel of wave energy incident thereon;
solid-state phase shifting means disposed along the longitudinal
axis of said waveguide means adjacent to the receiving and
launching end for introducing a predetermined value of phase shift
in one orthogonal component of wave energy traveling in one
direction and another phase shift value in the orthogonal component
of wave energy traveling in the reverse direction; circular
polarization means disposed between said short circuit means and
said phase shifting means to reflect and reverse the direction of
travel of all wave energy incident thereon; and said reflected
energy to be launched having an output plane of polarization
5. A phase shifter according to claim 4 wherein said phase shifting
means
6. A phase shifter according to claim 4 wherein said phase shifting
means include digital latching ferromagnetic elements having binary
remanent
7. A reflector type dual polarization electrical phase shifting
device comprising: square waveguide transmission means adapted to
receive and propagate through a single port linearly polarized
electromagnetic wave energy having orthogonal wave components;
solid-state phase shifting means disposed along the longitudinal
axis of said waveguide means for introducing a predetermined value
of phase shift in one wave component and another phase shift value
upon incidence of wave energy in the orthogonal wave component; a
one-quarter wavelength angularly disposed conductive vane member
positioned within the waveguide means following the phase shifting
means; conductive shorting means terminating the end of said
waveguide means to reflect substantially all energy incident
thereon; and said reflected energy having a predetermined value of
phase shift determined by two traversals through the phase shifting
means and a linearly polarized wave in a plane orthogonal to the
plane of polarization
8. In a reflector type optically fed phased array antenna system
comprising in combination: means for generating and transmitting in
free space linearly polarized electromagnetic wave energy; means
for collimating and directing said energy in a desired direction
including an array of antenna beam steering elements; each of said
elements comprising a section of square waveguide for receiving and
launching said energy having an electric field orientation in a
predetermined plane and having orthogonal wave components; a
radiating element enclosing one end of said waveguide and a
conductive reflecting plate member terminating the opposing end;
solid-state phase shifting means disposed along the longitudinal
axis of said waveguide behind the radiating element to produce a
phase shift value in one orthogonal wave component and a different
phase shift value upon traversal of wave energy in the other
orthogonal wave component; a circular polarizer for inverting the
orientation of the electric field vectors positioned between the
wave-guide termination and phase shifting means; and said incident
linearly polarized received energy and said launched phase
9. The combination according to claim 8 wherein said phase shifting
means
10. The combination according to claim 8 wherein said phase
shifting means include digital latching ferromagnetic elements
having binary remanent
11. A dual polarization microwave energy phase shifter comprising:
square waveguide means for supporting and propagating
electromagnetic wave energy having electric field vectors oriented
in a predetermined polarization plane and having orthogonal wave
components; a plurality of orthogonally disposed semiconductor
diode phase shifting means disposed along the longitudinal axis of
said waveguide means for introducing approximately one-half of a
predetermined value of phase shift in one orthogonal component of
wave transmission traversing in one direction and the remaining
one-half of the predetermined value of phase shift upon incidence
of the orthogonal component traversing in the reverse direction;
conductive shorting means disposed at an end of said waveguide for
reversing the direction of travel of substantially all energy
incident thereon; and a circular polarizer disposed between the
shorting means and diode phase shifting means whereby one
orthogonal component emerges from said polarizer having a phase
delay of 180.degree. relative to the other
12. A dual polarization microwave energy phase shifter comprising:
a single port waveguide means for receiving and launching
circularly polarized electromagnetic wave energy; solid-state phase
shifting means sandwiched between circular wave polarization means
for converting said circularly polarized waves to linearly
polarized waves disposed within said waveguide; said conductive
reflective termination means enclosing the opposing end of said
waveguide; said phase shifting means introducing a predetermined
value of phase shift in only one linearly oriented wave component
and substantially no electrical phase shift in an orthogonally
oriented wave component; and said received and launched wave energy
having planes of polarization oriented orthogonal to one another.
Description
The present invention relates to electronically beam scanning radar
antennas which require substantially less mechanical moving parts
than prior art structures. Planar antennas utilizing a considerable
quantity of steering elements individually providing variable
electrical lengths to collimate and direct high power
electromagnetic wave energy in a predetermined wave front at very
rapid rates of speed. Each antenna steering element requires at
least one phase shifting member together with means for accurately
and rapidly controlling the predetermined electrical phase shift.
In the prior art numerous devices have been suggested for the
accomplishment of the required electrical phase shift including the
use of discrete bodies of ferromagnetic materials, also referred to
as ferrites, which are magnetized by external electrical coils to
vary the RF permeability characteristics of the selected material.
An excellent dissertation on the applicable antenna systems as well
as prior art phase shifting devices may be found in the reference
"Survey of Electronically Scanned Antennas", parts 1 and 2, by
Harold Shnitkin, The Microwave Journal, Dec. 1960, pgs. 67--72, and
Jan. 1961, pgs. 57--64.
The numerous antenna beam steering elements have been coupled to
individual high power microwave transmission elements with the beam
direction being determined by a computerized programmer. Such
systems require complex corporate structures to couple the high
power microwave energy source to the antenna radiating elements and
is referred to in the art as a transmission type phase array
antenna system. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,305,867, issued Feb. 21, 1967 to
Aldo R. Miccioli et al. entitled "Antenna Array System" a new
concept in phased array antenna systems is disclosed which involves
a large array of passive elements optically fed from a physically
and conceptually separate radiant energy generation source. Each of
the antenna passive elements include phase shifter means together
with a single port reentrant radiating element to collectively
define the beam steering components. High power microwave energy is
transmitted through free space to illuminate the phased array
antenna system and thereby eliminate the numerous transmission
lines required in prior art antenna systems for directly feeding
each element. The disclosed optically fed antenna array system
referred to in the aforementioned patent is also capable of being
utilized for both transmission and reception with the duplexing
accomplished in a conventional manner by a single high power
antenna horn and a transducer mechanism to switch the horn to a
receive mode after a transmission cycle. This antenna array system
is commonly referred to as the reflector type and the beam steering
elements provide for the traversal of the received electromagnetic
waves in two directions within each antenna element while receiving
the appropriate variable electrical phase shifts.
In an article appearing in the "IEEE Transactions on Antennas and
Propagation", Sept. 1965, Vol. AP-13, pgs. 820--821, authorized by
John C. Nolen, attention is directed to phased array polarization
agility. The referenced article mentions a simple method of
obtaining dual polarization capabilities from a single phase
shifter phased array element utilizing one set of reciprocal phase
shifting devices together with serially connected dual antenna
elements. Linearly polarized waves in either the horizontal or
vertical mode will excite an appropriate antenna dipole feed and be
transmitted through the phase shifting device to another antenna
dipole element oriented perpendicular to the first receiving
element. The problem of simultaneously processing dual orthogonal
modes is one of considerable interest in phased array antenna
systems. The reductions in weight as well as cost through the
utilization of single phase shifting means to handle both
orthogonal polarizations, particularly in view of the large number
of antenna elements employed, points up the desirability of
solutions to the problem of orthogonal wave propagation for
reflector type optically fed phased array antenna systems.
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention a single
phase shifting antenna element is provided to handle
electromagnetic wave energy in either the horizontal or vertical
plane of orientation. The implementation of the invention
incorporates the utilization in the phase shifter of a short
circuit reflective termination at one end of the antenna element
coupled with polarization inversion means or a circular polarizer.
In an illustrative embodiment utilizing a semiconductor diode phase
shifter, a linearly polarized wave having the E-field vector
oriented in a predetermined manner will be propagated and launched
with an electrical phase shift and orientation orthogonal to the
input wave. In another illustrative embodiment of the invention a
single port reentrant phase shifter is disclosed utilizing
ferromagnetic materials of the closed magnetic loop variety
together with digital latching conductors for switching between the
binary remanent magnetization states.
A simplified phase shifting antenna element for electronically
scanned phase array antennas has evolved having a dual polarization
mode capability. Use is made of present day known phase shifting
means to provide a reciprocal type phase shifting device for use in
dual mode antennas of the type shown in the above referenced
article by Nolen.
The invention, as well as the specific details of the construction
of a preferred illustrative embodiment, will now be described,
reference being directed to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation exemplary of a prior art
dual polarization antenna element;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic presentation of an antenna array system
utilizing cross-polarized elements;
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a phased array antenna system of
the optically fed reflector type;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrative of an embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic presentation of the vectorial distribution
of the polarized waves traversing the embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view partly in section of the embodiment of
the present invention utilizing semiconductor diode phase shifting
means;
FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrammatic illustrations of the orientation of
the semiconductor diode phase shifting means and an alternative
arrangement, respectively, of the embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a digital latching ferrite
device utilized in the prior art;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view partly in section of the embodiment
of the invention utilizing a digital latching ferrite phase
shifter;
FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an alternative arrangement utilizing
the propagation of circularly polarized electromagnetic wave
energy; and
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a radiating element utilized with
a circular waveguide antenna steering device.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a system for propagating dual
polarization modes utilizing a single serially connected phase
shifter is illustrated and denoted by numeral 1. Antenna dipole 2
is disposed in a vertical manner and hence all waves oriented in
this plane will be propagated. The orthogonal antenna dipole 3 will
be utilized for the horizontally polarized waves.
A reciprocal phase shifter 4 is serially connected between both
antenna dipole elements which may be supported along a planar
direction by a reflector member 5 in a columnar array. In
accordance with the teachings of this method of wave transmission,
energy of one polarization enters the antenna dipole member,
traverses the phase shifter and is launched again in the orthogonal
polarization. If the horizontally polarized waves are propagated
then the horizontal reflector elements 3 are excited. After
traversing the phase shifting means the radiated energy leaves by
means of the vertically polarized antenna elements 2. Any mismatch
in the antenna elements or phase shifters returns the illumination
to the first antenna element excited or in this instance the
horizontal element. For reverse polarized waves the orthogonal
antenna element will be excited and the signal path through the
phase shifter will be in the reverse direction. As a result a
single phase shifter will serve both polarizations utilizing a
reciprocal energy propagation means. A problem in the prior art
exists, however, in that reciprocal element phase shifters present
additional problems and may be more costly. Accordingly, the
present invention seeks to achieve the dual polarization
propagation of orthogonal polarization modes impart reciprocity in
phase shifting values with solid state materials which are
inherently nonreciprocal.
Referring next to FIG. 3, the deployment of the invention in a
phased array antenna system of the optically fed reflector type
will be described. A plurality of single port reentrant antenna
beam steering elements 6, each incorporating a phase shifter,
collectively define the array antenna 7. A radiating element 8 is
provided at the entrance of each antenna element for ingress of the
uncollimated energy and egress of the appropriately shifted signals
of the electronically steered beam. A high power microwave energy
generator 9 is spatially disposed from the array antenna and the
energy is radiated by means of a horn 10 of well known
construction. In order that the overall system may be utilized in
duplexing of transmit and receive signals a two mode transducer 11
is coupled to the horn through a circular polarizer 12. In such
operation a suitable receiver 13 will be coupled to the same
antenna horn 10.
Each antenna steering element 6 will provide a predetermined degree
of phase shift by means of leads 14 coupled to a computerized
programmer 15 so as to electrically vary the effective electrical
length of each element. The energy from transmitter horn 10 is
directed toward the array antenna radiators 8 in a divergent beam
designated A in the illustration. Each antenna element in the array
is reentrant and terminated by reflective ends provided by short
circuit means 16. The received energy after traversing each antenna
element in a first and second reverse direction is emitted as a
collimated beam having a planar wave front of uniform phase
designated by the letter B. Any desired amount of angularity of the
beam wave front may be achieved through adjustment of the
individual element phase shifting means. The beam direction is
designated by arrow C and it is evident that the energy emanating
from this direction will be reflected by scanned targets back
toward the array antenna 7 where it will be received, phase shifted
and retransmitted through the antenna horn 10 to the receiver 13.
The advantage of the reflector type optically fed phase array
antenna system is that the individual antenna steering elements
serve a dual function of transmitting and receiving utilizing a
single unitary structure which is rapidly controlled
electronically.
Referring now to FIG. 4, the teachings of the present invention
comprise the provision of an antenna element 18 for receiving and
transmitting coupled to a solid-state phase shifting means 19
disposed within a waveguide section adapted to support and
propagate linearly polarized waves having orthogonal electric field
vectorial components. Illustratively, square waveguide will support
such orthogonal distribution of the electromagnetic wave energy.
Immediately following the phase shifter section is a circular
polarizer or polarization inverter 20 such as for example a
one-quarter wavelength plate member whereby a selective delay in
phase of 90.degree. in one orthogonal direction is applied to the
linearly polarized waves. The circular polarizer section 20 is
followed by the reflective termination 21 in the form of a metallic
short circuit member enclosing one end of the square waveguide
section.
The mechanics of operation of the combined structure will now be
described, reference being directed to FIG. 5. In this illustration
the block diagram components of the embodiment of the invention
shown in FIG. 4 have been similarly designated for the sake of
clarity. Each vector diagram is depicted for the position of a
person standing at a particular point and looking in the direction
of the energy travel. A plane linearly polarized wave having a
vertical electric field vector component indicated by the arrow 22
will be received by antenna element 18 which is adapted to receive
linearly polarized energy in either orthogonal component and for
launching the energy in the cross-polarized vector. Within the
phase shifter 19 vertical wave 22 receives a predetermined degree
of phase shift designated by symbol .phi. and arrow 23 if the
orientation of the vector is in a predetermined plane with respect
to the phase shifting means. In a semiconductor diode-type of phase
shifter with the diode element oriented parallel to the orientation
of the E-field vector 22 an appropriate phase shift would be
applied on entrance to the phase shifter. If the E-field vector is
horizontal then the phase shift takes place only on exit of the
energy. For the sake of clarity in the explanation of the operation
of the structure the degree of phase shift in the illustrated
vector will be purposely omitted and the E-field vector will be
resolved into its orthogonal component vectors designated by the
arrows 24 and 25. In the next or circular polarizer section 20 with
a quarter wave plate similar to the one designated by the numeral
41 oriented 45.degree. as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7; vector 24 which
is now shown as a solid line is allowed to propagate while vector
25 shown as a dotted line is delayed. As a result, vector 24 is
90.degree. ahead of vector 25 and contacts the short circuited end
21 ahead of vector 25 for a second traversal. The reflected wave
from the short circuit means which may be referred to as the
backward wave becomes a mirror image of the original wave and
vector 25 is now spatially oriented another 90.degree. or a total
of 180.degree. out-of-phase with respect to its companion wave
vector 24 after the second pass through polarizer 20. As is well
known in the microwave transmission art, orthogonal component
having a 180.degree. phase differential may now be represented by
the solid line vector 27 which combines with the original
orthogonal component 24 to form the combined vector 28 which is now
cross-polarized or horizontal to the original incident vertical
wave. However, since it is inherent in the teachings of the
invention that the phase shift means are oriented in a
predetermined manner the incidence of the wave in the horizontal
vector will result in no phase shift taking place upon traversal of
the phase shift section for the second time. Vector 28 in the
horizontal orientation with the original value of phase shift
provided during the first traversal will therefore be launched by
antenna element 18. Any reflected energy from a distant target will
traverse the embodiment of the invention in exactly the reverse
manner. For horizontal linearly polarized signals incident upon the
antenna element the emitted wave will assume an orthogonal
cross-polarization as a vertical wave. In this example the phase
shift occurs only when the electric field vector is oriented
parallel to the plane of orientation of the phase shifting element
upon exit of the energy.
Referring now to FIG. 6 and an operative embodiment, square
waveguide section 30 having flange members 31 and 32 appended
adjacent the ends thereof houses the solid state phase shifter
means. In this embodiment a semiconductor diode member generically
designated 33 is suitably biased by a DC voltage source 34 to
render the diode means in the appropriate state dependent on the
incident electromagnetic energy received by the overall antenna
steering element. Suitable semiconductor phase shifting means
comprise any of the well known silicon crystal or PN junction,
varactor diodes, as well as members of the avalanche transit time
diode device family. An example of such a device is the PIN diode
wherein an intrinsic region is provided between the P and N
junctions to form a high reverse current device which exhibits
negative resistance when operated at a high electrical bias. Such a
diode phase shifter may be supported within a conductive column 35
and biasing source 34 is coupled through the conductor by means of
terminals 36. With a high RF current oriented in a direction
parallel to the plane of the column such energy is properly
oriented with respect to the biased conductor and will be
appropriately phase shifted. Conversely, the orientation of the
electromagnetic wave in the orthogonal or horizontal direction
results in no RF current in the intrinsic region of the diode
member and no phase shift is applied to the wave energy.
For the purposes of the understanding of the specification the term
"phase shifting means" shall be interpreted to designate any device
for introducing a predetermined value of electrical phase shift in
one linearly oriented plane of wave transmission and another phase
shift upon incidence of wave energy in the orthogonal plane of
transmission.
Following the phase shifter section is a companion square waveguide
section 38 having flanges 39 and 40 appended thereto. A one-quarter
wave conductive plate member 41 is disposed within the waveguide 38
to change the spatial orientation of the horizontal and vertical
electric field vectors and is positioned diametrically at an angle
of approximately 45.degree. in the manner of such circular
polarizers employed in wave transmission devices. A card or vane of
a dielectric material may be similarly employed in lieu of the
member 41. The structure is completed by the provision of a
shorting plate member 42 enclosing the end of waveguide section 38
and secured to flange member 40.
It is understood that the antenna elements for the reception as
well as transmission of electromagnetic wave energy are well known
in the art and may be coupled to the flange member 31. No specific
details have therefore been enumerated herein.
In FIG. 7 the inline orientation viewed from the open waveguide
antenna end is pictorially represented with similar numerals
identifying the structure shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 8 a modification
of this combination is illustrated with the semiconductor phase
shifter diode elements 43 and 44 orthogonally oriented within
conductive post members 45 and 46. This modification provides for
the possibility of requiring only one-half of the phase shift value
to be applied to the waves oriented in the horizontal plane and the
other half to the waves oriented in the vertical plane with the
total phase shift being the sum of the two values. This structure
will result in a substantial reduction in the length of the overall
phase shifter required together with an accompanying reduction in
weight. Such a dual polarization device could have possible
applications in transmission modes of propagating energy wherein
the circular polarizer and short circuit means are eliminated and
the device will be capable of receiving energy at one end and
launching it at the opposing end into free space.
FIG. 9 is illustrative of prior art digital ferrite latching phase
shifting means disposed along the longitudinal axis of a
rectangular waveguide transmission section 51. The closed magnetic
circuit loop toroid body member 50 of a ferromagnetic material is
provided with a direct current conductor 52 extending through a
passageway 53 in the toroid body member. The magnetic closed loop
is indicated by the arrows 54 and 55 with the direction
representing the magnetization induced by the passage of direct
current pulses in the direction designated by the arrow 56. Due to
the fact that the magnetic path is a closed loop, demagnetizing
effects are relatively absent and the selected magnetic material is
said to be in a remanent magnetization state. The toroid geometry
also provides a reasonably square hysteresis magnetization loop.
Reversal of the direction of the current pulse results in the
latching or induction of the second remanent magnetization state
with the direction of the magnetic flux lines reversed and directed
in a counterclockwise manner. The resultant phase shift of
electromagnetic wave energy propagated through rectangular
waveguide 51 is determined by the properties and geometry of the
ferromagnetic material and the orientation of the direct current
magnetization with respect to the direction of the RF propagated
energy which in the first instance is indicated as a vertically
polarized wave designated by the arrow 57. In the employment of
digital latching phase shifter ferromagnetic means the operation
provides a net overall phase shift in that the reverse directed
wave which has a different plane of orientation with respect to the
direction of magnetization will not receive an equivalent reverse
phase shift. The same net overall phase shift will be realized for
both orthogonal components so that the device provides for
reciprocal operation. The presence of the ferromagnetic material,
however, does introduce some attenuation of the redirected wave
energy. Such attenuation may be compensated for and may even be a
distinct advantage in certain transmission systems.
In FIG. 10 a complete embodiment of an antenna steering element
utilizing a digital latching ferrite phase shifter is disclosed in
square waveguide 58 having mounting flanges 59 and 60. A
substantially square toroid body 61 of the preferred ferromagnetic
material is disposed along the longitudinal axis of waveguide 58.
The electrical length of the toroid body member 61 is selected to
provide a predetermined phase shift in one remanent magnetization
state and a different value of phase shift in the second remanent
magnetization state and a different value of phase shift in the
second remanent magnetization state. Conventionally, such toroid
body members may comprise a plurality of body members having
varying electrical lengths and referred to as "bits" in tandem
arrays to collectively provide any desired total phase shift.
Hence, a first body member could provide a 90.degree. latch and
subsequent body members provide a 45.degree. or 22--1/2.degree.
latch. Any combination of the toroid bodies in each of the antenna
steering elements will provide the individual varying electrical
phase shifts. Abutting the opposing ends of the toroid member 61
are nonmagnetic dielectric spacers 62 and 63 which serve as
matching transformer means to facilitate the transfer of the
electromagnetic microwave energy in space into the antenna
elements. The requisite latching conductor 64 is centrally disposed
within the toroid member 61 and terminates in external connection
fm means 65 for the application of suitable DC voltage pulses.
Similar conductors and terminal means would be provided for
individual bits provided along the longitudinal axis of the
waveguide. The subsequent section mounted to the phase shifter
section includes square waveguide 66, mounting flanges 67 and 68,
together with the internally and angularly disposed one-quarter
wave conductive plate member 69. The The reflective termination
means comprising a metallic short circuiting plate 70 abuts flange
68. In this embodiment the operation again is similar to that
described in the semiconductor diode phase shifter embodiment.
Incident waves linearly polarized on one orthogonal mode will be
launched in a cross-polarized plane with a net phase shift due to
the required two state operation of the phase shifting means. The
introduction of the ferromagnetic material within the waveguide
path does result in some attenuation of the returning waves
reflected from the short circuiting end 70. It is therefore
suggested that this phase shifting device be utilized in such
systems where alternate wave transmissions are in alternate
orthogonal mode distributions. Such intermittent cross-polarization
operations may also be advantageous in certain electronic
countermeasure radar systems.
An interesting modification and variation of the subject invention
is disclosed in FIG. 11. In the propagation of electromagnetic
waves in circular guide both orthogonal components are
simultaneously supported during the traversal. The circularly
polarized energy which illuminates the antenna element 71 is
indicated by the circular arrow 72. A circular polarizer member 73
disposed in front of the phase shifter 74 will be followed by a
subsequent circular polarizer 75 and reflective termination 76, all
disposed within circular waveguide. In this embodiment the first
circular polarizer section may have the one-quarter wave plate
oriented orthogonally to h the angular orientation of the circular
polarizer 75 disposed before the reflective termination 76. The
circularly polarized waves upon traversal of the first circular
polarizer means will be translated into a linearly polarized wave
for entrance into the base shifter 74. If the orientation of the
linearly disposed vector of the wave is properly oriented with
regard to the phase shifting means a second traversal through the
circular polarizer 75 will result in the orientation of the wave in
the orthogonal or cross-polarized mode where a different shift will
occur. Circular polarizer 73 converts the linearly polarized wave
again into a circular wave for retransmission into space by antenna
71. This embodiment provides a phased array antenna which may be
utilized in either the single bounce or double bounce radar mode to
provide another agility characteristic along with the dual
orthogonal mode transmission and enhanced target resolution.
In FIG. 12 antenna radiator means 77 for use with circular
waveguide 78 type phase shifters are shown. The radiating antenna
element 77 is preferably of a material having the impedance
characteristics required to transform the free space
electromagnetic wave energy to the impedances of the circular
waveguide. Conventionally dielectric materials have been selected
for this element. A material which has also been widely selected
for this purpose is "Rexolite" or other similar composition
materials.
The phase shifting means may comprise any of the solid state means
heretofore discussed.
There is thus disclosed a unique and useful dual polarization
phased array antenna element for phase shifting of the microwave
energy. While the description has been concerned primarily with the
reflection type optically fed reentrant phase shifters some
modifications or alterations evident to those skilled in the art
will result in transmission type phase shifters which provide an
input and an output end for the propagation of microwave energy. It
is important to bear in mind that a single phase shifting device
may provide for the propogation of energy in orthogonal
polarization modes. It will be also obvious to those skilled in the
art that any number of equivalents may be substituted for the
circular polarizing means to accomplish the purposes of the
invention. While detailed illustrative embodiments have been shown
and described herein, it is intended that this description shall be
considered as exemplary only and not in a limiting sense with
respect to the broader aspects of the invention as defined in the
appended claims.
* * * * *