Polarization agility in an RF radiator module for use in a phased array

A polarization agile duplex RF radiator module for use in a phased array, said module comprising:

• a 90.degree. microstrip coupling circuit having four terminals where RF signals input to any one terminal are passed at reduced amplitude to adjacent terminals with relative phase shifts of 0.degree. and -90.degree. and simultaneously isolated from the remaining terminal;
• a first controllable hybrid mode latchable phase shifter connected at one end with a first one of said four terminals of said 90.degree. microstrip coupling circuit;
• a second controllable hybrid mode latchable phase shifter connected at one end with a second one of said four terminals of said 90.degree. microstrip coupling circuit, adjacent said first terminal;
• a first RF radiator structure coupled to an opposite end of said first hybrid mode phase shifter;
• and
• a second RF radiator structure disposed orthogonal to said first RF radiator structure and coupled to an opposite end of said second hybrid mode phase shifter.

A polarization agile duplex RF radiator module for use in a phased array, said module comprising:

• a microstrip hybrid coupler having four terminals;
• a first controllable hybrid mode latchable phase shifter connected in series with a first terminal of said microstrip hybrid coupler;
• a second controllable hybrid mode latchable phase shifter connected in series with a second terminal of said microstrip hybrid coupler;
• a first RF radiator structure coupled to a third terminal of said microstrip hybrid coupler;
• and
• a second RF radiator structure disposed orthogonal to said first RF radiator structure and coupled to a fourth terminal of said microstrip hybrid coupler.

A method for changing the polarization of RF signals transmitted and received by an RF radiator module in a phased array, said method comprising:

• (a) feeding RF electrical signals to/from an RF radiator structure capable of supporting at least two orthogonal modes of RF propagation via an arrangement of a pair of parallel latchable phase shifters in series with a 90.degree. coupling circuit;
• and
• (b) switching said pair of phase shifters from one of the following set of polarization phase states to another:
• (0.degree., 90.degree.), (90.degree., 0.degree.), and (0.degree., 0.degree.).