Ferrite circulator with reduced-height transformers

A switching waveguide circulator, comprising:

• an electrically conductive waveguide housing having a plurality of hollow waveguide arms that communicate with a central cavity, the waveguide housing having a height defined by a plurality of waveguide sidewalls between a waveguide floor and a waveguide ceiling;
• a ferrite element disposed in the central cavity of the waveguide housing, the ferrite element including a central portion having an upper surface and a lower surface, the ferrite element further including a plurality of ferrite segments that each extend from the central portion and terminate at a distal end;
• a plurality of dielectric transformers each having an upper surface and a lower surface, the dielectric transformers protruding into the waveguide arms away from the central cavity along the waveguide floor, with the lower surface of the dielectric transformers coupled to the waveguide floor, the dielectric transformers having a height that is less than the height of the waveguide housing such that the upper surface of the transformers is separated from the waveguide ceiling by a gap;
• a magnetizing control wire threaded through the ferrite segments;
• a first dielectric spacer located on the upper surface of the ferrite element;
• and
• a second dielectric spacer located on the lower surface of the ferrite element;
• wherein the dielectric transformers protrude into the waveguide arms away from the distal ends of the ferrite segment without contacting the dielectric spacers.