Technology for array control

Throughout the years, electronic scanning of arrays has been accomplished using a variety of electromechanical and electronic components or frequency dependence to introduce phase shift or time delay at each of the antenna array radiators. Ferrite and diode phase shifters and MMIC modules are the technologies that have developed to address the control task. There is a continuing need to further develop these technologies in addition to the several new modalities that address the needs of wideband time-delayed arrays. This paper assesses the current state of the art of array control devices and the role of optical and digital control of future arrays. The paper also discusses the relevant array configurations appropriate to these technologies.