Design of PIN diode drivers for phased array radars - Some new approaches

This paper has three objectives. The first is to review previous techniques on p-i-n diode driving circuitry, especially those used in high power switching. The second is to identify various problems associated with the driving circuitry of p-i-n diode phase shifters, taking into account the operational requirements of phased array radar systems and the behavior of p-i-n diodes under both steady state and transient conditions. The third objective is to look into the possibility of combining p-i-n microwave diodes and LED/p-i-n photodiode circuits with the purpose of achieving optoelectronic switching for better control and noise-free operation.