Development of 'partner filters' in the VHF range

The 'partner filter' concept is introduced, and the development of a demonstration partner filter for a five channel receiver is recounted. Starting with a group antenna source, known suboptimal transmission interference signals are suppressed from the intended sidelobe pattern. The scheme involves ordering each receiving element, through a master element, with a partner element. The partner filter uses adaptive weighting and summation to arrive at an estimated value for the interference signal, which is then sent to the master element where it is eliminated. Analog circuitry was built and tested, proving the design function. The circuit board model, including four analog circuits, two multipliers, two correlators, and two integrators, is presented. Further applications, utilizing thick film hybrid circuit technology, are suggested.