Planar variable power divider
AssigneeAlenia Spazio S.p.A.
InventorsRoberto Mizzoni, Rodolfo Ravanelli
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A novel planar variable power divider, using waveguide technology, includes two hybrids and two variable phase shifters. The variable power divider includes a variable phase shifter based on a 3 dB hybrid circuit terminated by two sliding non-contacting moveable short circuits. The differential phase spreading of the phase shifter has been reduced to less than one-sixth of typical transmission line dispersion by the compensating short terminations. As a consequence, electrical performance achievable over a 16% bandwidth is significantly improved with respect to heretofore-known variable power dividers. The variable power divider also provides for planar integration, wideband performance, medium-high power handling capabilities and low loss.
Claims20
A variable power divider circuit for use in microwave systems, comprising:
- first, second, third and fourth waveguide transmission lines;
- first and second variable phase shifting means, each of said variable phase shifting means including:
- an output, a directional coupling means, and a pair of movable, non-sliding short circuits, each of the movable, non-sliding short circuits being coupled through the directional coupling means to the output of the respective variable phase shifting means;
- and
- third and fourth directional coupling means, respective outputs of said third directional coupling means being coupled, through the first and second waveguide transmission lines, to corresponding inputs of said first variable phase shifting means and said second variable phase shifting means, and respective inputs of said fourth directional coupling means being coupled, through said third and fourth waveguide transmission lines, to corresponding outputs of said first and second variable phase shifting means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.