Superconductive polarization control network

USH1079H · kind H · statutory invention registration

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air · US

Inventors

• Anthony W. White · Gillingham, GB
• Paul Ryan · New York, US

Key dates

• Grant date: Jul 7, 1992

Classification

• Technology area (CPC —): General

Abstract

Polarization Control Networks (PCNs) are used in active solid-state array transmitters. Polarization ECM requires precise polarization control of the transmitted signal. Prior polarization control networks (vector modulators) use ferrite phase shifters to achieve low loss and wide bandwidth, but because of their large size they must be placed before the RF power distribution network of the array. By implementing the polarization control networks in MMIC technology for each antenna element, and integrating each PCN with a 2-3 watt amplifier at its input, it is possible to eliminate half the required feed network and active amplifiers from the system. Each polarization control network unit includes a plurality of thin film superconducting phase shifters, hybrids and transmission lines enclosed in a cryogenic package. If more power is required than the superconductive PCN can accommodate, the amplifiers can be placed after the PCNs, and still maintain size and performance advantages over current implementations.