Plasma phased array electronic scan antenna

A method of phase shifting an array antenna, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of phase shifting elements;
• coupling each of the plurality of phase shifting elements operatively to at least one of a plurality of first signals;
• coupling each of the plurality of phase shifting elements operatively to at least one of a plurality of second signals;
• incorporating at least one plasma electrode in at least one of the plurality of phase shifting elements;
• energizing the at least one plasma electrode selectively;
• shifting the phase between at least one of the plurality of first signals and at least one of the plurality of second signals in response to the at least one plasma electrode being selectively energized;
• and
• coupling a plurality of antenna elements operatively to at least one of the plurality of second signals.

A phased array antenna system, which comprises:

• a plurality of phase shifting elements, each of the plurality of phase shifting elements operatively coupled to at least one of a plurality of first signals, each of the plurality of phase shifting elements operatively coupled to at least one of a plurality of second signals, at least one of the plurality of phase shifting elements including at least one plasma electrode;
• a plurality of drivers, at least one of the plurality of drivers selectively energizing the at least one plasma electrode, the plurality of phase shifting elements providing a phase shift between at least one of the plurality of first signals and at least one of the plurality of second signals in response to the at least one plasma electrode being selectively energized, the at least one plasma electrode selectively coupling a transmission line between at least one of the plurality of first signals and at least one of the plurality of second signals in response to being at least one of selectively energized and de-energized;
• a plurality of antenna elements, each of the plurality of antenna elements being operatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of phase shifting elements, at least one of the plurality of first signals being inputted to at least one of the plurality of phase shifting elements, at least one of the plurality of second signals being outputted from at least one of the plurality of phase shifting elements, at least one of the plurality of antenna elements being operatively responsive to at least one of the plurality of second signals;
• and
• a power divider, the power divider dividing an input signal into the plurality of first signals.