Abstract: A redundancy network is coupled to a first plurality of signal components and to a beam hopping network. The redundancy network has redundancy network signal junctions configurable to define redundancy network signal paths through the redundancy network, with one path for each signal component. The beam hopping network has beam hopping junctions configurable to define beam hopping signals paths from the redundancy network to other signal components. The beam hopping junctions are dynamically adjustable to reconfigure the beam hopping signals paths so signals from the redundancy network are deliverable to at least two of the other signal components. The redundancy network signal junctions are reconfigurable in response to a failure of one of the first signal components to redefine the redundancy network signal paths so that signals from the remaining first signal components are distributable, by the beam hopping network, to all of the other signal components.

Abstract: A redundancy network is coupled to a first plurality of signal components and to a beam hopping network. The redundancy network has redundancy network signal junctions configurable to define redundancy network signal paths through the redundancy network, with one path for each signal component. The beam hopping network has beam hopping junctions configurable to define beam hopping signals paths from the redundancy network to other signal components. The beam hopping junctions are dynamically adjustable to reconfigure the beam hopping signals paths so signals from the redundancy network are deliverable to at least two of the other signal components. The redundancy network signal junctions are reconfigurable in response to a failure of one of the first signal components to redefine the redundancy network signal paths so that signals from the remaining first signal components are distributable, by the beam hopping network, to all of the other signal components.

Abstract: A variable power divider comprising a latching ferrite circulator including an input port, a first output port, a second output port, and at least one winding. The ports meet in a common junction. The variable power divider also includes a controller interface that receives a command signal indicating a desired power division ratio and a driver circuit configured to receive a control signal from the controller interface. The driver circuit generates a first pulse, having a duration and amplitude corresponding to a saturation state of the latching ferrite circulator, in a first direction through the at least one winding. After the first pulse, the driver circuit generates a second pulse in a second direction through the at least one winding opposite the first direction, the second pulse having a duration and amplitude determined from the desired power division ratio and corresponding to a non-saturation state of the latching ferrite circulator.

Abstract: A waveguide is provided. The waveguide comprises: a ridged waveguide section having a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the ridged waveguide section comprises an input port at the first end, and wherein the ridged waveguide section comprises at least one ridge formed within the ridged waveguide section extending into the ridged waveguide section along an axis normal to the input port; a rectangular waveguide section coupled to the second end; at least one tapered load element located in a non-ridge region of the ridged waveguide section, wherein the at least one tapered load element comprises a material configured to absorb a first portion of power propagating through the waveguide; and at least one lossy back load element within the rectangular waveguide section, wherein the at least one lossy back load element comprises a material configured to absorb a second portion of the power propagating through the waveguide.

Abstract: Systems and Methods for RF Energy Multiplexers are provided. In one embodiment, a multiplexer comprises: a multiplexer stage that includes: a first three port device coupled to a first port of the multiplexer and a first reflective filter, wherein the first reflective filter has a pass band that passes energy at a first frequency, and reflects energy at at least one of a second frequency outside of the pass band back into the first three port device; and a first filtered-load sub-stage coupled to the first three port device, the sub-stage comprising a second three port device coupled to a second reflective filter and a first absorbing load, where the second reflective filter passes energy at the first frequency to the first absorbing load and reflects energy at the at least one of a second frequency outside of the first pass band back into the second three port device.

Abstract: A waveguide is provided. The waveguide comprises: a ridged waveguide section having a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the ridged waveguide section comprises an input port at the first end, and wherein the ridged waveguide section comprises at least one ridge formed within the ridged waveguide section extending into the ridged waveguide section along an axis normal to the input port; a rectangular waveguide section coupled to the second end; at least one tapered load element located in a non-ridge region of the ridged waveguide section, wherein the at least one tapered load element comprises a material configured to absorb a first portion of power propagating through the waveguide; and at least one lossy back load element within the rectangular waveguide section, wherein the at least one lossy back load element comprises a material configured to absorb a second portion of the power propagating through the waveguide.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a reconfigurable order-constrained switch network are provided. In certain implementations, a reconfigurable switch network comprises a plurality of subtrees, wherein a subtree comprises a plurality of ports coupled to a single port, wherein a signal that passes through the single port is directed to a port in the plurality of ports as directed by at least one circulator, wherein at least two subtrees in the plurality of subtrees have a different number of ports in the respective plurality of ports, wherein the plurality of subtrees are combined such that at least one of the plurality of ports from each subtree is shared.

Abstract: Systems and methods for high power microwave combining and switching are provided. In at least one implementation a system includes a plurality of inputs, wherein there are M inputs in the plurality of inputs and a plurality of phase shifters, wherein there are N phase shifters in the plurality of phase shifters and N is a multiple of two times M, wherein a signal received through the plurality of inputs is divided and coupled to N/M phase shifters. The system further includes an N:N Butler matrix coupled between outputs of the N phase shifters in the plurality of phase shifters and a plurality of outputs.

Abstract: A twist for coupling radiation between orthogonal waveguides is provided. The twist includes at least three cavities opening from at least one of a first X1-Y1 surface and a second X2-Y2 surface of a metal block. A first cavity has a first opening in a first Y-Z plane and a second opening in a second Y-Z plane offset from the first Y-Z plane by a first length. A second cavity shares the second opening with the first cavity and has a third opening in a third Y-Z plane offset from the second Y-Z plane by a second length and has at least two heights and at least two widths. A last cavity shares a next-to-last opening in a next-to-last Y-Z plane with a next-to-last cavity. The last cavity has a last opening in a last Y-Z plane offset from the next-to-last Y-Z plane by a last length.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ferrite redundancy switch networks are disclosed. In one embodiment, a redundant ferrite switch system comprises: a first plurality of circulator modules, a second plurality of circulator modules, and a plurality of components coupled to the first plurality of circulator modules and coupled to the second plurality of circulator modules, wherein the first plurality of circulator modules and the second plurality of circulator modules is able to route a path through the redundant ferrite switch system when more than two components in the plurality of components have failed. The first plurality of circulator modules and the second plurality of circulator modules each comprise, respectively: a plurality of inputs; a plurality of outputs; and a plurality of circulators connecting the plurality of inputs to the plurality of outputs.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system comprises: a first circulator module comprising a first plurality of circulators including a first circulator; a second circulator module comprising a second plurality of circulators including a second circulator, wherein an interconnection port connects the first and second circulator modules, each circulator in the first and second plurality of circulators comprises: an internal cavity; a plurality of ports extending from the internal cavity, wherein at least one port in the plurality of ports connects the circulator to another circulator; and at least one ferrite element disposed in the internal cavity and including at least one aperture; the system further comprising: a control wire, respective portions of the control wire being disposed in the at least one aperture of the at least one ferrite element of the first circulator and the at least one aperture of the at least one ferrite element of the second circulator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a reconfigurable order-constrained switch network are provided. In certain implementations, a reconfigurable switch network comprises a plurality of subtrees, wherein a subtree comprises a plurality of ports coupled to a single port, wherein a signal that passes through the single port is directed to a port in the plurality of ports as directed by at least one circulator, wherein at least two subtrees in the plurality of subtrees have a different number of ports in the respective plurality of ports, wherein the plurality of subtrees are combined such that at least one of the plurality of ports from each subtree is shared.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing communications interruptions in redundancy switching events are provided. In certain embodiments, a method for switching communication paths through a circulator network includes identifying a first failed component, wherein the first failed component is connected to a first communication path, wherein the multiple components includes standby components that are not coupled to communication paths and active components that are coupled to communication paths, wherein a standby component that has not previously failed and an active component that has not experienced a failure are operable components. Further, the method includes switching circulators in the circulator network such that a first operable component is connected to the first communication path and the failed component is disconnected from the first communication path, wherein the communication paths other than the first communication path are disrupted for less than or equal to a single switching event.

Abstract: Systems and Methods for RF Energy Multiplexers are provided. In one embodiment, a multiplexer comprises: a multiplexer stage that includes: a first three port device coupled to a first port of the multiplexer and a first reflective filter, wherein the first reflective filter has a pass band that passes energy at a first frequency, and reflects energy at at least one of a second frequency outside of the pass band back into the first three port device; and a first filtered-load sub-stage coupled to the first three port device, the sub-stage comprising a second three port device coupled to a second reflective filter and a first absorbing load, where the second reflective filter passes energy at the first frequency to the first absorbing load and reflects energy at the at least one of a second frequency outside of the first pass band back into the second three port device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using power dividers for improved ferrite circulator RF power handling are provided. In one embodiment, a method for switching RF power using a high power circulator switch comprises: operating a ferrite circulator switch to direct RF power to either a first output port or a second output port, the ferrite circulator switch comprising at least three ferrite circulators arranged as a triad switch, wherein a first circulator is coupled to the first output port, a second circulator is coupled to the second output port; and using a waveguide power divider coupled between the first circulator and the second circulator, distributing reflected RF power received at the first output port or the second output port between a plurality of waveguide loads.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cascading quadrature couplers for flat frequency response are provided. In certain embodiments, a system for dividing/combining power comprises one or more 1:N couplers, wherein the one or more 1:N couplers couple power between an input and N different outputs, wherein one or more sets of two outputs in the N different outputs provide signals having different amplitudes; and one or more 2:2 quadrature couplers having inputs that are respectively connected to a subset of the one or more sets of two outputs.

Abstract: A variable power divider comprising a latching ferrite circulator including an input port, a first output port, a second output port, and at least one winding. The ports meet in a common junction. The variable power divider also includes a controller interface that receives a command signal indicating a desired power division ratio and a driver circuit configured to receive a control signal from the controller interface. The driver circuit generates a first pulse, having a duration and amplitude corresponding to a saturation state of the latching ferrite circulator, in a first direction through the at least one winding. After the first pulse, the driver circuit generates a second pulse in a second direction through the at least one winding opposite the first direction, the second pulse having a duration and amplitude determined from the desired power division ratio and corresponding to a non-saturation state of the latching ferrite circulator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ferrite circulator phase shifters are provided. In one embodiment, a multi-bit phase shifter comprises: a first switching circulator having a first port coupled to a first short circuit of a first phase length; and a second switching circulator coupled in series with the first switching circulator, the second switching circulator having a second port coupled to a second short circuit of a second phase length, the second switching circulator configured to switch in the second short circuit when the first short circuit is switched out by the first switching circulator, and switch out the second short circuit when the first short circuit is switched in by the first switching circulator.

Abstract: A circulator comprises a waveguide housing having a plurality of hollow waveguide arms that communicate with a central cavity, the waveguide housing having a height defined by a plurality of waveguide sidewalls between a waveguide floor and a waveguide ceiling. A ferrite element is disposed in the central cavity of the waveguide housing, with the ferrite element including a central portion. The ferrite element further includes a plurality of ferrite segments that each extend from the central portion and terminate at a distal end. A plurality of dielectric transformers each having an upper surface protrude into the waveguide arms away from the central cavity along the waveguide floor. The dielectric transformers have a height that is less than the height of the waveguide housing such that the upper surface of the transformers is separated from the waveguide ceiling by a gap.

Abstract: A waveguide circulator for an electro-magnetic field having a wavelength is provided. The waveguide circulator includes: N waveguide arms, where N is a positive integer; a ferrite element having N segments protruding into the N respective waveguide arms; at most (N?1) quarter-wave dielectric transformers attached to respective ends of at most (N?1) other segments; a first quarter-wave dielectric transformer attached to an end of the first segment; and a coaxial-coupling component. The N waveguide arms include a first-waveguide arm and (N?1) other-waveguide arms. The N segments include a first segment protruding into the first-waveguide arm and (N?1) other segments protruding into respective (N?1) other-waveguide arms. The coaxial-coupling component is positioned within a quarter wavelength of the electro-magnetic field from the first quarter-wave dielectric transformer positioned in the first-waveguide arm.