Electrically Tunable Phase Shifter for HPM Antenna Arrays

The Air Force needs a high-power electrically tuned phase shifter in order to form high-power microwave (HPM) antenna arrays with electronic beam steering capability. In this Phase I SBIR proposal, Physical Sciences Inc outlines the development of a waveguide based phase shifter that will enable 20° azimuth/elevation beam steering for conformal megawatt and gigawatt class antenna arrays. This technology has the potential to replace complex and expensive mechanically steered apertures with an electrically tuned, low insertion loss X-band device. In Phase I, PSI will refine the design of a novel, electrically tuned phase shifter in CST simulations. PSI will optimize the differential phase shift per dB of insertion loss while ensuring megawatt power handling. During Phase I, PSI will design and build a PCB operating in X-band to demonstrate proof of principle through an experiment. PSI will complete the Phase I with a mature, design for manufacture of the phase shifter with corresponding high-power simulations. During Phase II, PSI will work with Northrop Grumman Mission Systems to transition the phase shifter to an operational system. At the end of Phase II, PSI will design, build and test a 2 x 2 antenna array at high-power and demonstrate 20° azimuth/elevation steering.