A 360° retrodirective self-oscillating mixer array [using HEMTs]

Abstract

A 360" retrodirective self-oscillating mixer (SOM) array is presented. The structure is composed of a 964ement transistor grid conformed around a cylindrical dielectric core. The three-dimensional architecture allows for retrodirectivity over a larger range of incident angles compared to planar retrodirective arrays. Use of the SOM's free-running oscillation signal eliminates the need for an external LO.Experimental results at C-band confirm retrodirectivity of source beams incident at angles of O", 20°, -25" and -160" in the H-plane.