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 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.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a microwave waveguide component wherein a plurality of joinable thermoplastic members are first formed. The members, when joined, comprise a microwave waveguide component having an internal surface that is adapted to be plated. The thermoplastic members are then bonded together. Then, the internal surface is plated to form the finished microwave waveguide component. The present method forms microwave components from plated, injection molded thermoplastic and reaction injection molded thermosetting plastics. In particular, the plastic components made using the present invention exhibit comparable electrical performance, as measured by voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) and insertion loss, decreased device weight and cost, and reliable and repeatable manufacturability when compared with devices formed using metals, conventional thermosetting plastics that have been metallized, and molded, plated and soldered thermoplastics.

Abstract: A dual junction back-to-back four-port microstrip circulator made up of two three-port single junction circulators whose substrates lay back-to-back and are interconnected with a coaxial feedthrough. When used in an active antenna array application, the transmit and receive ports will be located on different levels of the device. The back-to-back configuration allows sharing either a single magnet for biasing or a single magnetic shield carrier for bias return, with a magnet on top of each substrate. The circulator has the advantages of small size and operation over a wide frequency band.

Abstract: An antenna distribution network for an antenna array which provides independent sum and difference aperture excitations and enables a reduction in the difference channel radiation sidelobe levels. The circuit operates to smooth out the step discontinuity in the complex signal excitation of the radiating aperture in the difference mode by reducing considerably the amplitude of at least two corresponding elements located on opposite sides of the array center. A circuit of four four-port hybrid devices is employed, and introduces no effect when in the sum mode.