Abstract: A flared-notch radiating element has a body portion tapering to an element tip region, the radiating element having a first thickness through a body element portion. The element tip region has reduced thickness in relation to he first thickness, the reduced thickness improving absorption of the cross-polarized component of an incident wave. The reduced thickness of the tip region can be provided by a single step reduction in the element thickness, by multiple stepped reductions in thickness, or by tapering the thickness from the thickness of the element body portion to an end tip thickness.

Abstract: A RF precision calibration standard kit and calibration technique for “slotline” or slot transmission line for a network analyzer. The calibration standard kit establishes an accurate, repeatable reference plane at the slotline transmission interface. The calibration standard kit includes first and second coaxial to slot transmission line adapters, each adapter defining an adapter slot transmission line and having a slot connection port connected to an connection end of the slot transmission line and a coaxial connection coupled to the adapter slot transmission line. The kit further includes an offset component defining a section of slot transmission line, and a shorting plate. The first and second adapters, the offset component and the shorting plate are each adapted for connection to each other in a plurality of calibration configurations, including configurations for conducting Through, Reflection and Line measurements.

Abstract: A very low reflection transition with tightly controlled variability between a rectangular coaxial transmission line and a microstrip transmission line. The microstrip ground plane is extended under the transition region to form the transition ground plane. The upper portion of the dielectric of the rectangular coaxial transmission line is removed at the transition region, together with the upper portion of the center conductor. The spacing between the transition center conductor and the ground plane is reduced in relation to the spacing between the rectangular coaxial line center conductor and outer conductive shield. A tuning cavity is formed in the transition ground plane beneath the transition center conductor.

Abstract: A phase shifter employing a voltage variable dielectric material to add controlled phase delay in a ridged-waveguide section. The dielectric material has the property that its dielectric constant varies with changing electric field applied to the material. The dielectric material fills the ridge gap between the two waveguide ridges. An electrode is disposed within the dielectric material, and is connected to a variable voltage source to establish a transverse electrical field within the dielectric material. By varying the voltage, the magnitude of the field is varied, thereby allowing the phase delay of electromagnetic signals propagating through the waveguide section to be changed.

Abstract: An array of thick flared notch radiators, wherein the separation distance between adjacent pairs of flared notch sticks is set to be less than one-half wavelength at the highest frequency of concern. The separation distance suppresses the propagation of higher order modes along the length of the sticks, which would degrade the array performance. The separation distance is achieved by fabricating the sticks with an increased thickness, thereby reducing the stick-to-stick channel width.