Polarization Control Element for Phased Array Antennas.
Abstract
This invention provides for the control of the phase and the angle of the radiated linear polarization from a phased array antenna radiating element. The device consists of a cascade of a non-reciprocal circular polarizer, a Faraday rotator, and a magnetically rotatable non-reciprocal circular polarizer. The control windings for the Faraday rotator and rotable non-reciprocal circular polarizer are excited by an electronic driver. A linear polarized wave entering the device is converted to a circular polarized wave by the circular polarizers. The Faraday rotator causes the wave to be phase shifted as it propagates through this section of the device. The circular polarizer that is encountered next converts the circular polarized wave back to a linear polarized wave. The angle of the radiated linear polarization is controlled by varying the orientation of the principle axes of the rotatable non-reciprocal circular polarizer. The reciprocal phase shift is produced by a technique similar to that used by a dual mode phase shifter and the rotation is produced by rotating bias fields in a manner similar to that used by a rotary field phase shifter. The phase shift and rotation are produced by a single device as opposed to multiple devices, this leads to lower insertion loss, smaller size, and less weight.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 12, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADD009603
Entities
People
- Stanley Gaglione
Organizations
- United States Army