A. B. Guskov1, N. V. Mikhailov2, E. I. Starshinova3, A. E. Chalykh4, D. V. Chernikin5

1, 2 JSC “Plant Magneton” (Saint-Petersburg, Russia)

3–5 JSC “V. Tikhomirov Scientific Research Institute of Instrument Design” (Zhukovsky, Russia)

Phased array antennas that are created by JSC “V. Tikhomirov Scientific Research Institute of Instrument Design” are successfully implemented on the basis of waveguide distribution systems and reciprocal waveguide ferrite phase shifters with magnetic memory.

Evolution of these phased array antennas continuously determines new requirements on parameters of phase shifters.

Modern Reggia–Spencer type phase shifters most fully meet the requirements of phase shift precision, its stability in different operating conditions, low insertion losses, speed, energy consumption, mass and size due to technical solution that was patented by JSC “V. Tikhomirov Scientific Research Institute of Instrument Design”. This solution proposes complex dielectric filling of waveguide with few dielectric slabs on walls of the waveguide and on all sides of ferrite rod in addition to rod itself.

Increasing the speed of operation was the next step in modernization of passive phased array antennas. It has become possible due to mastering of the new production technology of wideband Reggia–Spencer type phase shifters created by JSC “V. Tikhomirov Scientific Research Institute of Instrument Design” at JSC “Magneton”. The technology allowed to quadruple speed of operation of these phase shifters decreasing energy consumption at the same time. It was achieved by replacement of titanium rectangular waveguide with polymer waveguide with electroplating on its inner side.

Today there is a series of such phase shifters which are produced at JSC “Magneton” from C- to Ku-frequency band. They have very stable phase shift regardless of operation conditions and very good similarity. They have lower insertion loss, two times fewer mass, four times less energy consumption and smaller sizes than previously used dual mode phase shifters.

Guskov A.B., Mikhailov N.V., Starshinova E.I., Chalykh A.E., Chernikin D.V. Reggia – Spencer type high-speed ferrite phase shifters for modern phased array antennas. Antennas. 2021. № 5. P. 27–36. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18127/j03209601-202105-03 (in Russian)

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