Phased-Array Digital Time Delay Phaser Using Latching Ferrite Switches

Recent developments in latching ferrite phase shifters permit phase control within 360 degrees at microsecond switching times for phased-array antenna elements. When an array antenna must handle large instantaneous signal bandwidths, the simple modulo 2/spl pi/ phase control provided by these phase shifters must be supplemented by real time delays of several nanoseconds. The time delay phaser described below provides four-bit digital subdivision of an 8.7-nanosecond total time delay in increments of 0.58 nanosecond.