Scattering from the quasi-optical ferrite circulator using a coupled integral equation/FEM solution

Transmitters of the JPL/NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) typically operate at power levels in excess of 100 kW. This causes heat dissipation and loss problems even in the conventional DSN transmit frequencies of the S and X bands. These problems are compounded by operation in continuous mode, rather than in pulsed operation where the average power is low. In an effort to avoid the heat dissipation, waveguide loss, and arcing problems aggravated by high average power, the DSN has helped pioneer the development of beam waveguide antennas. These beam waveguide antennas use quasi-optical techniques to confine the fields, eliminating waveguide usage and their associated losses. The development of quasi-optical, non-reciprocal devices is natural to the beam waveguide environment. The present paper discusses the use of a ferrite circulator in this context.