Abstract: An improved means of decorrelating phase quantization errors in a phased array radar antenna using digital randomization at each of the array elements to reduce peak steering erorrs and to reduce peak sidelobe levels of the antenna. A random phase adjust term is provided to each of the array's antenna elements which comprises a distributed controller (DC) co-located with a digital phase shifter. The distributed controllers are each programmed with a random phase adjust term which represents a phase shift adjustment statistically independent from element to element. The random phase adjust term is stored in a memory located in each disbtributed controller. The distributed controller drives each element's digitally controlled phase shifter in response to a beam steering command received over a serial line. The performance improvement achieved with this decorrelation method is equivalent to that obtained by using more expensive phase shifters and adding costly randomized cables in the path to each element.

Abstract: A switch for coaxial circuits is shown, including a moveable contact, a controller which controls the position of the moveable contact, and a latch to hold the moveable contact in the latest position determined by the controller. The moveable contact has an end which is permanently connected to a first terminal of a coaxial switch and a free end which may be connected to either of two other terminals of a coaxial switch as determined by signals to the controller. The controller includes a coil responsive to electrical current to magnetize an armature which is mechanically linked to the moveable contact. The latch includes a permanent magnet which reacts with a magnetized portion of the armature to force the armature and therefore the free end of the moveable contact into the latest position as determined by the polarity of the magnetic field of the coil.