Single layer phase-switched screen using double-diode switching elements

A new form of phase-switched screen is demonstrated in which each dipole element in the active layer is loaded by an antiparallel pair of pin diodes. The advantages of this arrangement are that the diode control voltage is of sine wave, rather than square wave form, the effective switching frequency is doubled, with a consequent improvement in scattered spectral characteristics and each pin diode is inherently protected against large peak inverse voltage burnout caused by abnormally large incident electromagnetic fields.