Abstract: A beam-steering feed network for use with linear and planar phased-array enna systems which includes a phase divider system for producing a plurality of incrementally phased IF signals. The phase divider system includes a plurality of coupled amplifier phase divider modules coupled together to form a network. The network is coupled to receive at least two boundary signals having different phase angles. The phase angle difference between the boundary signals is divided by the phase divider modules in the network. Each module produces an output signal having a phase angle differing from that of the output signals of the immediately adjacent modules in the network by a phase angle gradient. The system thus divides the phase angle difference between the boundary signals into a plurality of incrementally phased output signals.

Abstract: A three-dimensional bootlace lens with minimum possible focusing aberrati, minimum possible focusing size and minimum possible dielectric loading. The feed and lens surfaces are in the shape of a spherical cap and covered by contiguous arrays of radiators. The region between the inner surfaces of the lens is filled with a nonuniform dielectric material with an index of refraction which constantly changes from the center line outwardly. Lens ports are connected to a radiating antenna array by means of coaxial transmission lines all of which have the same length. The axial feed point has a focusing performance which is perfect. For all other points the lens is free of all first-order aberrations except coma. The outputs of the lens can be used to feed a planar radiating antenna array so as to produce a multiple directive beam in one angular dimension or to feed a circular array so as to make it amenable to scanning or multibeam feed systems that are used with linear arrays.

Abstract: A reflecting mirror for transforming the polarization of electromagnetic ) waves independently of the frequency of the waves and, thus, over an arbitrarily wide RF bandwidth includes two interleaved sets of planar arrays of resonant elements, both being orthogonally polarized, and each set comprising layers of the arrays which are arranged so that the layered elements of each set form a log-periodic configuration. The difference in phase between the reflection coefficient functions of the first and second sets of arrays is independent of the frequency of EM waves. Each of the arrays resonates at a different frequency and the arrays resonate over the frequency band of operation. A plane EM wave, the polarization of which has two vector components, strikes the mirror on the array having the shortest strips. The two polarization components of the wave travel into the mirror. Each component is reflected as it encounters strips of an array having a resonance which matches the resonant frequency of the component.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the operability of a radar system having phased-array antenna system. During an initial radiation pattern, a portion of the signals radiated from each radiating element of the array (except, in general, a center element, if any) is fed to a manifold network which combines the signals received from radiating elements which are symmetrically located with respect to the center of the array so that they differ by 180.degree. at the single manifold output. Radio-frequency energy is added to the manifold output to adjust it to approximately zero. While the radio-frequency energy added to the manifold network is maintained at this value, the phase-shift settings of pairs of radiating elements having equal amplitude-weighting are varied from the initial setting through 360.degree.. Failures are located by correlating the phase-shift settings and the adjusted output of the manifold network.