Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) coupler transfers RF power between a first circuit on a rotary shaft and a second circuit relative to which the shaft can rotate. The coupler comprises a first RF transmission line arranged to rotate with the rotary shaft about the rotation axis of the rotary shaft for connection to the first circuit and a second RF transmission line relative to which the first RF transmission line can rotate for connection to the second circuit. The first and second RF transmission lines comprise first and second electrically conductive tracks arranged coaxially around the rotation axis in mutually overlapping relationship to provide RF coupling between the first and second RF transmission lines. Each track has a gap defining a pair of ports. One of the ports of each track is connectable to a respective circuit and another port in the track is connected to a RF reflecting termination. A notch filter tunable to a desired frequency within a predetermined RF band is also described.

Abstract: A radio signal polarization switching arrangement is responsive to linearly polarized radio signals, such as television signals from a satellite. The switching arrangement which is capable of selecting signals having either one of predetermined states of linear polarization comprises a dielectric support block which supports a ferrite rod axially in a circular waveguide. A metal or metallized layer is deposited on an external surface of the support block and an energizing coil is wound around the layer in axial alignment with the rod. The support block has a stepped configuration at opposite ends in order to compensate for the loading effect of the ferrite rod on the waveguide.

Abstract: An antenna arrangement for receiving television signals from a satellite comprises a parabolic dish which collects the signals and feeds them through a feedhorn, then through a polarization switch and to a low noise block to the receiver. The polarization switch comprises a ferrite rod supported in a dielectric holder within a circular waveguide. The ferrite rod is surrounded by a solenoid coil which is energizable to rotate the plane of polarization of the signals passed along the waveguide, so as to enable the switch to select either horizontally or vertically polarized signals. The current in the coil is switchable between two values, one having a predetermined magnitude in one direction through the coil and the other having the same predetermined magnitude but in the opposite direction through the coil. The current levels are seleced such that the corresponding angular positions for the plane of polarization are +45.degree. relative to the datum position for the polarization plane and -45.degree.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating signals to interfere with or jam signals detected as unfriendly in a given input frequency band comprises a spectrum analyzer circuit using surface acoustic wave (SAW) chirp filters to provide a transformation of input frequency signals to a series of time displaced signals in a linear frequency-to-time relationship. The analyzer circuit uses the SAW devices to perform multiply-convolve functions that separate the different frequency signals in time and the analyzer is repetitively triggered to perform a spectrum analysis. The time series signals are selectively applied to a frequency synthesizer having a time-to-frequency relationship that matches the analyzer characteristic so as to regenerate signals at the input frequencies. The synthesizer uses two matched chirp filters one activated by a fixed time signal and the other by the time series to generate swept frequencies that are mixed to provide the required frequency outputs.