Mode interferometer squinting radar antenna

Claim 2

Apparatus for coupling electromagnetic waves between waveguides and a reflector, comprising: a first section comprising a first pair of waveguides and means for providing a variable relative phase shift between waves in said waveguides, said waveguides each being of substantially the same primary dimension; a second section comprising a second pair of waveguides having the same primary dimensions as said first pair of waveguides and means for providing a relative phase shift to wave energy in said second pair of waveguides; a short slot coupler intercoupling said first section with said second section; and a fifth waveguide having a primary dimension substantially twice that of said first and second waveguides, said fifth waveguide connected to said second pair of waveguides.

Claim 3

Apparatus for coupling electromagnetic waves between waveguides and a reflector according to claim 1, further comprising: tuning means in said fifth waveguide adapted for adjustment to electrically tune said fifth waveguide to support a desired wave therein.

Claim 4

Apparatus for coupling electromagnetic waves between waveguides and a reflector according to claim 1 wherein said short slot coupler provides coupling of substantially 50 percent of the wave energy in each one of said first pair of waveguides with each one of said second pair of waveguides.

Claim 5

Apparatus for coupling electromagnetic waves between waveguides and a reflector according to claim 3 wherein said phase shift means of said second section comprises means for providing a substantially 90* phase shift.

Claim 6

Apparatus for coupling electromagnetic waves between waveguides and a reflector according to claim 4 wherein said variable relative phase shift means is adjustable to provide relative phase shifts of approximately 0* to approximately 180*.

Claim 7

Apparatus for coupling electromagnetic waves between waveguides and a reflector, comprising: a first section comprising first and second waveguides and means for providing a variable relative phase shift between waves in said waveguides, said waveguides being of a primary dimension to support a TE10 mode of a wave therein; a second section comprising third and fourth waveguides having substantially the same primary dimension as said first and second waveguides; coupling means for coupling and phase shifting wave energy between said first section and said second section, said coupling means coupling a substantial portion of wave energy in said sections between said first and fourth waveguides with a substantial phase shift, coupling a substantial portion of wave energy in said sections between said second and third waveguides with a substantial phase shift, coupling a substantial portion of wave energy in said sections between said first and third waveguides with a minor phase shift and coupling a substantill portion oF wave energy between said second and fourth waveguides with a minor phase shift, said coupling means providing an additional relative phase shift between wave energy in said third waveguide and wave energy in said fourth waveguide; and a fifth waveguide having a primary dimension substantially twice that of said first and second waveguides, said fifth waveguide connected to said second pair of waveguides.

Claim 8

Apparatus for coupling electromagnetic waves between waveguides and a reflector, comprising: a first section comprising first and second waveguides and means for providing a variable relative phase shift between waves in said waveguides, said waveguides being of a primary dimension to support a TE10 mode of a wave therein; a second section comprising third and fourth waveguides having substantially the same primary dimension as said first and second waveguides; coupling means for coupling and phase shifting wave energy between said first section and said second section, said coupling means coupling a substantial portion of wave energy in said sections between said first and fourth waveguides with a substantial phase shift, coupling a substantial portion of wave energy in said sections between said second and third waveguides with a substantial phase shift, coupling a substantial portion of wave energy in said sections between said first and third waveguides with a minor phase shift and coupling a substantill portion oF wave energy between said second and fourth waveguides with a minor phase shift, said coupling means providing an additional relative phase shift between wave energy in said third waveguide and wave energy in said fourth waveguide; and a fifth waveguide having a primary dimension substantially twice that of said first and second waveguides, said fifth waveguide connected to said second pair of waveguides.

Claim 9

Apparatus for coupling electromagnetic waves between waveguides and a reflector according to claim 4, further comprising: tuning means in said fifth waveguide adapted for adjustment to electrically tune said fifth waveguide to support a desired wave therein.

Claim 10

Apparatus for coupling electromagnetic waves between waveguides and a reflector according to claim 6 wherein said coupling means provides coupling of substantially 50 percent of the wave energy in each one of said first and second waveguides with each one of said third and fourth waveguides.

Claim 11

Apparatus for coupling electromagnetic waves between waveguides and a reflector according to claim 8 wherein said additional relative phase shift means comprises means for providing a substantially 90* phase shift.

Claim 12

Apparatus for coupling electromagnetic waves between waveguides and a reflector according to claim 9 wherein said variable relative phase shift means is adjustable to provide relative phase shifts of approximately 0* to approximately 180*.