Passive and active phased arrays using solid state technologies

Conventional electronically scanned antennas for radar and EW systems have been realized using ferrite or semiconductor phase shifters while active array technology is based purely on solid state technology. Comparing the roles of phase shifters in active array technology and in passive (semiconductor) phased arrays it is found that widely different requirements result for the phase shifter characteristics. These requirements are derived from the different antenna concepts. Realized hardware examples are provided to demonstrate the practical trade-offs