Integrated true time delay for broad bandwidth time control systems and methods

A method of using a receive element array, the method comprising:

• receiving a plurality of RF signals from a plurality of antenna elements at a first input port;
• amplifying and phase shifting, by a plurality of receive element circuits, each of the plurality of RF signals to provide a plurality of amplified and phase shifted RF signals;
• combining, by a plurality of combiner circuits, the plurality of amplified and phase shifted RF signals to form a combined RF signal;
• amplifying, by a distributed gain circuit at a second input port, the combined RF signal to provide an amplified combined RF signal;
• and
• selectively delaying the amplified combined RF signal, by a selectable signal delay circuit coupled to the distributed gain circuit at a third input port, to provide a delayed and amplified combined RF signal at an output port.

A system comprising:

• a receive element array comprising:
• a circuit board;
• a plurality of antenna elements integrated with the circuit board;
• a plurality of receive element circuits coupled to the circuit board wherein each receive element circuit is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of antenna elements to receive an RF signal from a corresponding antenna element at a first input port and configured to provide an amplification and phase shift to the RF signal;
• a plurality of combiner circuits integrated with the circuit board and coupled to the plurality of receive element circuits, adapted to combine the plurality of amplified and phase shifted RF signals to form a combined RF signal;
• one or more substrates, each of the substrates comprising:
• a distributed gain circuit coupled to the plurality of combiner circuits configured to receive the combined RF signal at a second input port and configured to provide an amplification to the combined RF signal;
• and
• a selectable signal delay circuit coupled to the distributed gain circuit to receive the amplified combined RF signal at a third input port and configured to provide a delay to the amplified combined RF signal at an output port;
• and
• a connector coupled to the output port of the selectable signal delay circuit configured to receive the delayed and amplified combined RF signal.