C-band variable power divider and variable phase shifter developments

Candidate variable power divider (VPD) and variable phase shifter (VPS) configurations have been examined for optimum performance characteristics in C-band devices for future satellite antenna applications (especially a reconfigurable beam antenna). A Faraday rotator VPD, dual toroid ferrite phase shifter VPS, and a reduced height waveguide coupler/dual toroid ferrite phase shifter VPD were considered. It is shown that the Faraday rotator VPD demonstrates much lower loss than the hybrid/phase shifter approach because it requires fewer components; its size is also proportionately smaller.