Abstract: An RF radiating system possesses high efficiency and reliability, including built in rain margin capability, in a structure that associates a plurality of solid state RF amplifiers with an antenna in an antenna array. In a specific aspect the system comprises a plurality of sources of RF carrier signals of at least two different frequencies; and radiating means for radiating an RF signal of a given frequency in multiple power levels in a first directionally steerable beam and for alternately or simultaneously radiating at least one additional RF signal of a different frequency in a directionally steerable beam separate from said first beam; said last named means including a plurality of discrete solid state amplifier means for coupling and amplifying signals from said source to said radiating means.

Abstract: A technique for applying selected phase delays to an optical carrier signal, the phase delays being referenced to a radio-frequency (rf) subcarrier signal. The optical signal to be phase delayed is introduced into a phase delay network comprising multiple optical paths and multiple electro-optical switches, controllable by signals generated in switching logic. The selected delays can be introduced for purposes of data modulation, or for steering an antenna beam in a phased-array antenna. As applied to the phased-array antenna system, the invention includes a data modulator, a series of star couplers for splitting the optical carrier into multiple elemental carriers, and multiple phase shifters for applying selected phase shifts to the elemental carrier signals, to effect antenna beam steering.

Abstract: A radio-frequency switch of planar construction for connecting N input signals to M output signals in a broadcast switch mode or a matrix switch mode. The switch includes a single substrate or circuit board (49) and M output switches (50) disposed in a row on one face of the board, each output switch having N input ports. In the broadcast mode, there are N rows of distributed power dividers (such as 60, 62, 64 and 66), each row providing M outputs from a single input port, the outputs being connected by conductors (such as 90) to the output switches (50). The conductors effecting these cross-connections are formed for the most part on the reverse face of the circuit board, to avoid intersection between the cross-connections and the distributed power dividers. In the matrix mode, the power dividers are replaced by switches (110).

Abstract: A redundancy switching system particularly suitable for transponders of the type used in spacecraft. A plurality of elements such as amplifiers is selectively connectable to a similar plurality of terminals such as input or output ports by switches. For each amplifier there is provided one switch and the switches are interconnected to form a closed loop. The switches may have three or four-port configuration and may be double-pole or triple-pole transfer switches, wafer switches, waveguide transfer switches or the like. In another form of the invention each element is connected to one output port by a switch and additional redundant elements are cross-connected to each other by extra switches so that failed elements can be replaced by standby elements.