Switched Delay Line for Steerable Null Antenna System.
Abstract
The objective of the invention is to provide fast effective switching of the delay line segments. The invention relates to the arrangement of the delay line switches from PIN diodes so as to require a constant direct current for each delay line with the current diverted by transistor switches through the switch diodes selected for turn on by external means while reverse biasing those switch diodes that are turned off. In the preferred embodiment the arrangement permits the variation of line length in incremental steps, the number of steps being equal to the Nth power of two where N is the number of binary delay line segments. There are several advantages over prior practices. Intermodulation is decreased by reverse biasing of off diodes, power handling capabilities are extended by reduction in control power requirements. Switching time using PIN diode switches is extremely fast limited principally by the driving circuits. Switching transients are minimized by holding the total delay line drive current constant and using PIN diode with similar voltage-current characteristics. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 25, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADD007801
Entities
People
- Eugene L. Roberts
Organizations
- United States Army