Nonlinear transmission line technology and applications

For the first time, the small signal characteristics of the nonlinear delay line have been employed to generate true time delay. The nonlinear delay line technology is proven to be superior to other existing true time delay line technologies, and offers the possibility of a revolutionary phased array radar approach. A proof of principle experiment has been successfully conducted where a true time delay of {dollar}>{dollar}1.1 ns was measured from this hybrid delay line with a loss of {dollar}sim{dollar}4 dB in good agreement with theoretical predicting. This hybrid delay line has been successfully employed as a phase shifter for a 2 x 2 antenna array.; New devices have been introduced by the author as the nonlinear element in NLTL applications. An entirely new device concept, the Superlattice Schottky Quantum Barrier Varactor (SSQBV), is presented. For the first time, multibarrier devices has been successfully employed for short pulse generation.; Extensive design and simulation work has been conducted in exploring new applications and new technologies associated with nonlinear transmission lines. A computer simulation code has been developed for ultrashort pulse and moderate short pulse plasma reflectometry system simulation. An NLTL array concept is presented, where the quasi-optical spatial power combining technology has been employed to increase the NLTL output power level.