Abstract: A lightweight slot array antenna comprises an array of slotted waveguides and a radome. The radome consists of two or more sheets of fiberglass with a honeycombed dielectric disposed between and bonded to each pair of adjacent sheets. The array of slotted waveguides is disposed inside the radome. Honeycombed dielectric material may be disposed between and bonded to each pair of adjacent waveguides.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low noise microwave frequency synthesizer having a plurality of rapidly switchable output frequencies. Two banks of oscillators are selectively mixed to yield a range of output signals of low phase noise and low spurious noise. The first bank of oscillators comprises low noise, highly stable oscillators of a frequency range below the desired synthesized output signal. The second bank of oscillators comprises low noise, highly stable oscillators of a frequency range lower than the first bank. The signal from the second bank of oscillators is frequency multiplied to a desired frequency range by a low multiplication factor and then mixed with the signal from the first bank of oscillators. Multiplied phase noise is reduced by using a low multiplication factor. The upper sideband of the mixed signals is output as the synthesized output signal. Rapid switching between oscillators in both banks provides a frequency range of synthesized output signals which may be rapidly stepped through as desired.

Abstract: A particular plastic material is formed into the desired component shape and then is plated by a process comprising; a particular surface preparation step, electroless deposition and electrolytic deposition which results in excellent plating adhesion. The plated component is then assembled with other components manufactured in the same manner or with compatible metal components such as aluminum and soldered together in a disclosed hot oil dip soldering process. In the soldering process, the plated plastic substrate is completely immersed in a hot oil medium at a temperature of approximately 243.degree. C. (470.degree. F.) for a time of approximately 60 seconds for solder reflow.

Abstract: A particular plastic material is formed into the desired component shape and then is plated by a process comprising; a particular surface preparation step, electroless deposition and electrolytic deposition which results in excellent plating adhesion. The plated component is then assembled with other components manufactured in the same manner or with compatible metal components such as aluminum and soldered together in a disclosed hot oil dip soldering process. In the soldering process, the plated plastic substrate is completely immersed in a hot oil medium at a temperature of approximately 243.degree. C. (470.degree. F.) for a time of approximately 60 seconds for solder reflow.

Abstract: In the disclosed method for fabricating corrugated microwave components, a billet assembly is formed of electrically conductive plates sandwiched with chemical etching sensitive spacer material and clamped together. An inside surface is formed in the billet and a mandrel inserted. An outer contoured surface is then formed on the mandrel-billet assembly. The outer surface is then plated to a desired thickness. The mandrel is removed and the spacers chemically etched away leaving the finished component. With the disclosed method, microwave device fabrication for frequencies including 100 GHz and higher is possible.

Abstract: An antenna of the geodesic lens type is disclosed. The antenna structure is based on optical principles and provides wide angle scanning of a narrow base. The exact shape of the domed structure is found by solving an integral equation and results in nearly perfect focus in the scan plane. A dielectric loaded flared horn is attached to the feed circle of the domed structure and focusses energy in the plane orthogonal to the scan plane. The cross sectional shape of the outer curvature of the dielectric is elliptical. Since the structure is circularly symmetrical, constant beam shape, wide angle scanning, and a rapid scan rate are possible.

Abstract: A millimeter-wave phase shifter for use at high millimeter-wave frequencies is disclosed. The phase shifter employs continuous aperture ferrite and corrugated horns to make a reciprocal phase shifter in the frequency range of interest. Applied linearly polarized energy is expanded in cross-section by means of a first corrugated horn. The expanded energy is focused by a first lens, circularly polarized and applied to a ferrite phase shifting section. The phase shift applied to the energy is controlled by means of phase control circuitry and a yoke and coil arrangement. The phase-shifted energy is then converted to linearly polarized energy by a second circular polarizer focused by a second lens and contracted in cross-section by a corrugated horn. The use of the corrugated horns, polarizers, lenses and ferrite phase shifting components allows a much larger device to be fabricated and hence physical tolerances are reduced by an order of magnitude for the frequency range of interest.

Abstract: A four element antenna turnstile tracking system which outputs an azimuth error signal, an elevation error signal and an independent sum signal. Three tracking antennas are disposed triangularly at the vertices of a triangle and the sum antenna is disposed in a predetermined relationship to the tracking antennas. The three tracking antennas are symmetrically connected to a unique four port turnstile type junction which generates an elliptical wave in accordance with the difference in signals from the three tracking antennas. An orthogonal mode transducer outputs the orthogonal components of this elliptical wave, these components being the azimuth error and the elevation error signals.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing radar video signals and applying the processed signals to a radar display. The apparatus includes video extraction circuitry which removes random pulse interference and noise from the video signals. The improvement of the present invention comprises clutter transmission circuitry and a memory which transmits and stores clutter video signals provided by the video extraction circuitry. In addition, comparison circuitry is provided which compares the applied signals (present video) provided by the video extraction circuitry to time-averaged signals computed thereby. The comparison circuitry transmits the present video signals to the radar display when the difference between the present video signals and the time-averaged signals is greater than a predetermined value. In one specific embodiment, the comparison circuitry includes scan-to-scan correlation circuitry which provides time-averaged video signals which are averaged in a predetermined manner over a plurality of azimuth scans.

Abstract: A power-radiating slotted waveguide comprises one or more rods mounted inside the waveguide adjacent a non-inclined slot. The rod causes power to be radiated and because the slot is non-inclined, undesirable cross-polarized radiation is minimized. The energy radiated from the slot can be varied by varying the area between the rod and the waveguide walls.