Reconfigurable switching element for operation as a circulator or power divider

An antenna feed device, comprising:

• at least one antenna feed configured to provide signals to an antenna;
• a waveguide device comprising:
• a plurality of waveguide arms configured for the propagation of waves, wherein the plurality of waveguide arms are coupled to either receive radio frequency energy or transmit the radio frequency energy to the at least one antenna feed, the longitudinal axes of the plurality of arms forming an H-plane;
• an internal cavity;
• a switching element disposed in the internal cavity, wherein a plurality of switching element segments extend into the plurality of waveguide arms wherein the switching element has at least one E-plane aperture extending through the switching element, wherein the at least one E-plane aperture is aligned perpendicularly to the H-plane;
• and
• at least one E-plane magnetizing winding inserted through the at least one E-plane aperture such that current applied to the wire establishes a magnetic field in the switching element that is aligned with the H-plane.

A method for power division in a waveguide circulator, comprising:

• propagating a signal through a first waveguide arm, wherein the first waveguide arm is coupled to an internal cavity containing a switching element, the first waveguide arm being one arm in a plurality of arms coupled to the internal cavity, the longitudinal axis of the plurality of arms forming an H-plane, wherein at least one E-plane aperture extends through the switching element, the at least one E-plane aperture being aligned perpendicularly with the H-plane;
• conducting a current through at least one E-plane magnetizing winding threaded through the at least one E-plane aperture, wherein the current establishes a magnetic field in the switching element that is aligned with the H-plane;
• and
• propagating the signal through at least a second waveguide arm and a third waveguide arm in the plurality of arms, wherein the signal is power divided between the second waveguide arm and the third waveguide arm.