High power phased array antenna system and method with low power switching

Abstract

Embodiments of a switchable high-power transmit module to selectively provide a high-power microwave signal in excess of one kilowatt to one of first and second output paths are disclosed herein. The module includes a switch to receive a lower-power microwave signal from a source, a first ninety-degree coupler for directing power from the switch to first and second paths, a first high-power amplifier disposed in the first path, a second high-power amplifier disposed in the second path, and a second ninety-degree coupler to receive output signals of the first and second amplifiers. The switch is configured to selectively couple the lower-power microwave signal between first and second input ports of the first ninety-degree coupler. When the switch couples the lower-power microwave signal to a selected one of the input ports of the first coupler, signals generated by the first and second high-power amplifiers are combined in the second ninety-degree coupler to provide the high-power microwave output signal on only one of the output paths.