Quasi-optical power-combining techniques have been developed to address fundamental limitations in solid-state devices and circuits. These techniques have been applied to oscillators, amplifiers, frequency-conversion components, and control circuits. This paper surveys progress in the development of quasi-optical array systems operating in the microwave and millimeter-wave regime, focusing primarily on the progress in power amplifiers.

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Quasi-optical discrete beam-steering grids were presented using PIN-diode switch arrays to change reactances across the transmission aperture. E-plane and H-plane beam-steering angles of (+loo, -12.5') and k20" were demonstrated at 3GHz, respectively, with transmission losses less than 6dB. The insertion loss is due to the series resistance of the PIN-diodes and can be reduced by reducing the series resistance of the switches. The theory was verified with a 5-GHz passive grid, which had E-plane and H-plane beamsteering angles of (+12.5", -15") and +12.5", respectively, compared with the theoretical angles of _+12". The total transmission losses were less than 2dB. Millimeterwave discrete beam-steering grids are proposed using new MEMS see-saw-bar switches to reduce losses.

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