Virtual Prototyping and Development of Rotary Field Ferrite Phase Shifter

Abstract

Review of the virtual prototyping and physical development of the rotary field ferrite phase shifter is presented. A description of the basic principle of operation of the rotary field ferrite phase shifter has been given along with the key aspects about the design and virtual prototyping of various parts of the phase shifter viz ferrite rod, yoke, polarisers and matching section using HFSS and 3-D Maxwell softwares. Calibrated simulation performance of the phase shifters is presented and it shows good agreement with physical measurement results. Three prototypes and one hundred production capable phase shifter modules were fabricated, functionally tested and RF characterised. This is an indigenous development of the physical prototypes of rotary field class of ferrite phase shifters of C-band. This class of ferrite phase shifters finds application in phased array radars, such as battery level radar and weapon locating radar, because of its high phase accuracy and high power handling capability.