High Power Microwave Weapon System
20180058826 ยท 2018-03-01
Inventors
Cpc classification
H01Q19/17
ELECTRICITY
H01Q19/19
ELECTRICITY
F41H13/0068
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
International classification
F41H13/00
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
H01Q19/19
ELECTRICITY
H01Q19/17
ELECTRICITY
H01Q3/26
ELECTRICITY
Abstract
This invention allows combining broadband GW(10.sup.+9 Watt), peak power to achieve MV/m(10.sup.+6 Volt/meter), and GV/m(10.sup.+9 Volt/meter), radiated E-fields, in the range of air or vacuum breakdown in the entire electromagnetic spectrum, including optical frequencies and beyond. Use of many antennas and independently triggered generators allows achieving GV/m field, while by preventing the E-field induced breakdown it provides control of peak power and energy content at targets. The achieved broadband MV/m E-field levels and energy density significantly exceed levels required for destruction of distant electronic targets; therefore this invention radically improves the effectiveness of the electromagnetic weapons. Furthermore, collimating multiplicity of MV/m beams allows reaching GV/m E-field that exceeds by orders of magnitude the air or vacuum breakdown needed for broadband plasma excitation at resonance plasma frequencies in the 300 GHz range, permitting energy efficient plasma research leading to fusion.
Claims
1. A method for damaging at least one target by coupled electromagnetic radiation directed and transmitted to an at least one target from a microwave weapon system producing electromagnetic power and energy comprising: producing electromagnetic power and energy as a plurality of independently triggered and broadband pulses from an array of HPM TEM-horns, each HPM TEM-horn powered by at least one generator, and transmitting to a Cassegrain antenna; using the Cassegrain antenna powered by the array of HPM TEM-horns illuminating an entire secondary reflector of the Cassegrain antenna, that after reflection from the secondary reflector illuminates a primary reflector converting all the conical beams into a single non-diverging beam toward the at least one target; limiting a primary generator pulse interval duration T to a maximum duration of approximately 1 nanosecond and facilitating a maximum diameter limit of the Cassegrain primary reflector to approximately 9 meters; increasing radiated power while decreasing the radiated primary generator pulse duration of the conical beams to avoid ionization with a maximum E-field for increased power that is achieved by the primary generator pulse rise-time at least six times shorter than the primary generator pulse interval duration; radiating frequencies comprising a target frequency spectral content coupling band from frequency fmin to frequency fmax most susceptible to electromagnetic radiation based on the primary generator pulse interval T and rise-time Tr wherein fmin equals 1/T and fmax equals 1/(2Tr); and increasing efficiency without increasing the energy by transmitting multiple generator pulses T separated by spacing T*Q comprising a plurality of primary intervals sequenced to encompass an oscillation time Tosc with an oscillation quality factor Q of oscillations resonating in the at least one target wherein at least one damaging effect is extended due to resonance and energy storage at the target and prolonging a field interaction within the coupling band.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising at least one of destroying, rendering inoperable, disintegrating, and the total destruction of the target.
3. The method of claim 1 comprising triggering banks of sub-groupings of generators sequentially during the oscillation time Tosc.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising triggering of at least one generator comprising a bank of generators.
5. The method of claim 3 further comprising triggering a total number of generators available for the electromagnetic radiation by sequentially triggering the banks of generators.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising assuring smooth pulse amplitude with the Cassegrain antenna property of fmax/fmin greater than 3.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the array of HPM TEM-horns is in a concave or flat configuration.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the radiation from the HPM TEM-horn array is transmitted through a lens set as it proceeds to the Cassegrain secondary reflector.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the lens set is comprised of at least one Barlow lens
10. The method of claim 1 further comprising inflicting at a E-field level of MV/m molecular, heat induced and combined molecular and heat induced damaging effects by a distance from the Cassegrain antenna up to a maximum beam non-diverging distance R.sub. corresponding to the Cassegrain antenna primary reflector diameter as defined by R.sub.D.sub..sup.2 {square root over ()}/2 and expressed in wavelengths at a central frequency fc, wherein fc is equal to the square root of fmax/fmin.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein using the Cassegrain antenna powered by a concave face assembly of multiple conical beams illuminating the entire secondary reflector of the Cassegrain antenna to sustain a maximum target distance up to the square of the Cassegrain antenna primary reflector diameter expressed in wavelengths at the central frequency fc, multiplied by a factor of at least one hundred.
12. The method claim of claim 1 wherein using the Cassegrain antenna powered by the concave or flat face assembly of a plurality of conical beams illuminating a set of lenses including at least one Barlow lens that reduces the angular illumination of the entire secondary reflector of the Cassegrain antenna, that after reflection from the secondary reflector illuminate a primary reflector.
13. The method claim of claim 12 further comprising converting all the conical beams into a single non-diverging beam that comprises uniformly distributed power of all pulses in the single beam unaffected by beam non-diverging distance R.sub. corresponding to the Cassegrain antenna primary reflector diameter as defined by R.sub.D.sub..sup.2 {square root over ()}/2 and expressed in wavelengths at a central frequency fc, multiplied by the angular amplification of the Barlow lenses.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein assembling a plurality of Cassegrain antennas comprising HPM TEM-horns with coordinated triggers and focused at a single target location point, each powered by a concave face assembly of multiple conical beams transmitted to the focusing point resulting in a GV/m E-field required to induce non-linear atomic interactions leading to fusion.
15. A high power microwave weapon system comprising: an at least one power supply for powering at least one microwave radiation generator; a control unit comprising controls timing and firing sequences as triggers to an at least one radiation generator through a triggering and phasing section; the triggering and phasing section comprising approximately simultaneous firing of one or more generators in at least one bank of generators repeated as a sequence of primary intervals powering an at least one HPM TEM-horn per generator; the at least one radiation generator with increased power and efficiency without increasing the energy by transmitting sequential primary intervals comprised of generator pulses T approximately equal to 1 ns separated by spacing T*Q encompassing an oscillation time Tosc with an oscillation quality factor Q of oscillations resonating in the at least one target wherein at least one damaging effect is extended due to resonance and energy storage at an at least one target and prolonging a field interaction within the coupling band of the at least one target; the at least one HPM TEM-horn further comprising an array of HPM TEM-horns radiating onto a secondary reflector of a Cassegrain antenna; the at least one HPM TEM-horn further comprising at least one array of HPM TEM-horns wherein the at least one array of HPM TEM-horns are designated as at least one bank of HPM TEM-horns; the secondary reflector of the Cassegrain antenna illuminates radiation from the at least one HPM TEM-horn array onto a primary reflector of a Cassegrain antenna; the primary reflector of the Cassegrain antenna comprising a diameter of 9 meters corresponding to an approximate 1 ns generator pulse time T, and expressed in wavelength corresponding to the central frequency fc of a target coupling band; the primary reflector of the Cassegrain antenna further comprising receiving radiation from the secondary reflector of the Cassegrain antenna and redirecting the radiation as a radiation beam emitted from the Cassegrain antenna; the radiation beam emitted from the Cassegrain antenna is comprised of a non-diverging section with a maximum length of R and a diverging section which begins at the distal end of the non-diverging section; the radiation beam emitted from the Cassegrain antenna is further comprised of a non-interrupted elongation of the beam until the first of the non-diverging section or diverging section interacts with the at least one target; the at least one target interaction comprised of the radiation beam providing a coupled energy into the at least one target according to the target coupling band; the target coupling band of the at least one target interaction is comprised of a fmin to fmax range wherein a center frequency of the coupling band is determined by fc=(fminfmax) and fmin is 1/T and fmax is 1/(2Tr) with a rise-time of the generator pulse, TrT/6; and the coupled energy of the at least one target interaction comprises a target damage wherein at least one damaging effect is extended due to resonance and energy storage within the target resulting from at least one primary interval of radiation coupled to the target and prolonging a field interaction within the coupling band.
16. The system of claim 15 further comprised of at least one Barlow lens set mounted between the at least one HPM TEM-horn array and the secondary reflector of the Cassegrain antenna.
17. The system of claim 15 further comprised of the at least one HPM TEM-horn array further comprising an optimum number of HPM TEM-horns
18. An advanced HPM TEM-horn comprising: a high voltage tolerance of approximately 4 MV at a high frequency operation of 1 to 5 GHz, a maximum breakdown voltage between an at least one septum and the HPM TEM-horn enclosure of approximately 5 MV, and a maximum surface breakdown voltage of approximately 25 MV, an at least one inside surface of the HPM TEM-horn enclosure further comprising an approximately 12 mm thick solid dielectric that extends from the portal end to the distal mouth end of said HPM TEM-horn; the at least one septum of the HPM TEM-horn further comprising a dielectric coating of both sides of the at least one septum comprised of a conductive metal; the dielectric coating of the at least one septum of the HPM TEM-horn further comprising an approximately 200 micrometer thick Teflon coating that extends from the portal end to the distal mouth end wherein radiation is emitted from the HPM TEM-horn; the HPM TEM-horn further comprising a dielectric filled section within and in the proximity of the portal end of the HPM TEM-horn; the HPM TEM-horn further comprising an enclosure with a tapered shape and design providing high dielectric and surface voltage breakdown; the HPM TEM-horn dielectric coated enclosure further comprising a tapered shape and design permitting high frequency operation; the advanced HPM TEM-horn further comprising at least one portal connections from the at least one generator connection to the at least one septum; and the at least one HPM TEM-horn further comprising 100 ohm resistor termination at each distal end of the at least one septum terminating the at least one septum to an associated local enclosure connection point.
19. The HPM TEM-horn of claim 18 further comprising a conical shaped enclosure with a round mouth.
20. The HPM TEM-horn of claim 18 further comprising an at least one coaxial portal connection.
21. The HPM TEM-horn of claim 19 further comprising two longitudinal sections conical shaped enclosure.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] The foregoing, and other aspects, and embodiments will be better understood from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0052] Example embodiments of the invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying and incorporated by reference (cross-referenced) drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different step sequences, forms, structures, or materials and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
[0053] Like identified numbers refer to like elements throughout. The use of asterisks herein is indicative of multiplication operations unless otherwise noted.
[0054] It should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms a and the include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an array can include reference to one or more of such arrays.
[0055] With reference to
[0056]
[0057] The target is shown in
[0058] With continuing reference to
[0059] With continuing reference to
[0060] With continuing reference to
[0061] With reference to
[0062] With continuing reference to
[0063] The distance 104, R, defines only the beam non-diverging distance and in a sense this distance is defined by the radiation losses associated with the Cassegrain antenna and therefore the Cassegrain antenna should not have diameter smaller than 50 wavelengths since the divergence losses in the beam will exceed 20% based on diameter based on this limitation.
[0064] For the best performance of the Cassegrain HPM TEM-horn array that has angular amplification of approximately 10, the power density and the distance of the target from the antenna have to be optimized. At a maximum preferable distance, i.e. at the end of the non-diverging beam region 104, a target and antenna diameter are equal D.sub.t=D.sub.a=D, and the maximum number of HPM TEM-horns, N.sub.opt, is defined by the diameter of the primary reflector
expressed in wavelength corresponding to the central frequency fc of the band.
[0065] The maximum distance at the end of the non-diverging beam of the target position R is optimized and as a function of antenna diameter D.sub. expressed in wavelength corresponding to the central frequency fc of the band.
[0066] With reference to
[0067] The exemplary configuration of
[0068] With continuing reference to
[0069] With continuing reference to
[0070] With continuing reference to
[0071] With reference to
[0072] With continuing reference to
[0073] With reference to
[0074] The present invention provides a method, system, and apparatus for generating a high power microwave beam of radiation efficiently and at power levels never before achieved while keeping the E-field safely below the ionization threshold levels. To accomplish this, the use of improved and advanced power HPM TEM-horns of this invention is required.
[0075] The improved and advanced power HPM TEM-horns of this invention are superior to all previous TEM-horns. The previous TEM-horn's 350 kV limited operation has been increased to 4 MV (10 increase in breakdown voltage) at 1-5 GHz as one of the advancements or improvements comprising the HPM TEM-horn of this invention.
[0076] Furthermore, the invention teaches an improved and advanced HPM TEM-horn design including an ability to radiate MV/m E-field and broadband operation at microwave frequencies (1 to 500 GHz) at MV/m field level.
[0077] The improved and advanced HPM TEM-horns of specific component sizes, shapes, and materials herein including dielectric material and distributions in the HPM TEM-horn provide capability of operation in the 10 to 50 GHz frequency range or band with an air breakdown limit in the range of 70 MV/m in this frequency band.
[0078] The HPM TEM-horns of the invention herein may have embodiments including enclosure shapes including rectangular, round, or other shapes as viewed relative to the output or mouth end 78 shown in
[0079] Terminating the septums within a range of 50 to 200 ohms, typically 100 ohms, is expected depending on the configuration and application of the HPM TEM-horn, and one or more terminating resistors having a total or equivalent resistance equal to the wave impedance of the septum are needed. In order to provide HPM TEM-horn impedance matching, between the generator and free space where the power is being radiated, along the entire length of the horn, the input impedance, the septum wave impedance, and the terminating resistance values have to be identical.
[0080] All broadband antennas including HPM TEM-horn, TEM-horn, and microwave antennas are designed to have input impedance between the septum and one or more horn enclosure containments in the range of 50 to 200 ohms depending on the configuration of the particular antenna. The maximum resistance value of 200 ohms differs from the maximum theoretical value of 377 ohms that corresponds to the wave impedance of a free space. It is an important design consideration that, increasing the value of impedance above 200 ohms, could result in an unacceptable loss of antenna efficiency.
[0081] With reference to
[0082] With continuing reference to
[0083] With continuing reference to
[0084] With reference to
[0085] With continuing reference to
[0086] With continuing reference to
[0087] A multi-port HPM TEM-horn configuration and design improvement comprises a two part enclosure 92 and 93 as shown in
[0088] Two port HPM TEM-horns each have two inputs/outputs in respect to the ground as shown in
[0089] The four port HPM TEM-horn design as shown in
[0090] A Cassegrain type antenna array populated with the 4-septum HPM TEM-horn of
[0091] With reference to
[0092] With continuing reference to
[0093] The preferred material for the septums is brass with a thin coating of Teflon affixed thereto which provides the first level of protection against voltage breakdown or breakdown. The solid insulating material or dielectric, preferably Teflon, is the second level of protection against breakdown. The combination of the Teflon coating and solid Teflon members of the HPM TEM-horn provide the horn with remarkably non-linear increases in breakdown voltage.
[0094] With continuing reference to
[0095] For 10 GHz to 50 GHz operation, the air breakdown is in the range of 70 MV/m in this band. The input peak voltage at the portals of the HPM TEM-horn at 90 in
[0096] An important aspect of the dielectric distribution is the effective 2 mm thickness of the 100 micrometer Teflon on the septum. Without this the 50 GHz frequency and 350 kV input signal and 1 GW power cannot be obtained. Simply increasing the solid insulation or dielectric decreases maximum frequency and therefore must be limited.
[0097] The said dielectric material selection and technique conceived further applies to multi-septum HPM TEM-horns, single or duplicate half enclosure sections, and of various HPM TEM-horn shapes and sizes. The conceived dielectric and distribution herein to increase breakdown voltage with minimal decreases to the maximum frequency of operation facilitates the HPM TEM-horn's operation at 4 MV at 1 to 5 GHz.
[0098] Further improvements incorporated into the HPM TEM-horn design pertain to the input/output configuration 91 of
[0099] It is further understood that other embodiments of the invention include optionally more than 4 generator connections as indicated in
[0100] With reference to
[0101] With reference to
[0102] The invention teaches how to increase radiated power without increasing the energy by breaking down each primary interval (long) transmitting pulse currently used (by others) to multiple 1 ns primary generator pulses, T, each with a time spacing of T*Q (Quality factor of target oscillations) and T+T*Q comprising a primary interval, Tint, per bank of generators or in the case of a unitary bank size the primary interval would apply to each generator fired sequentially.
[0103] For example, firing 100 total generators segmented with a bank size of k=25 generators at a time with T*Q spacing between the different sub-groups or banks until all n*k=N=100 exemplary generators have fired. Transmitting four 2.5 MV/m, Ins long pulses inclusive with a time spacing of 5 ns would have an effective primary interval pulse duration of 20 ns, distractive E-field 35.7 times greater (2.5*10+6/7*10+4=35.7) and a damaging or burning force more than 6377 times greater ((20 ns/4 ns)*(35.72)=6377)) than the JOLT system.
[0104] The first of several triggering or firing scenarios is comprised of firing using a single pulse or master pulse provided with additional phasing control to all triggers of generators assures that all pulses have to arrive at the target at the same time. After calibration of the timing of the firing of individual generators has been completed, many other alternative automated firing sequences may be programmed or selected and coordinated by a fire control unit as a firing sequence. The fire control unit can control the triggering of each generator separately or by master pulses to sub-groups or banks triggered simultaneously. Banks of generators may each comprising 2 or more generators powering 1 or more TEM-horns.
[0105] The master sequence of firing is controlled by a visual or radar system that provides information about what type of target, size of target, the approach trajectory of the target, and the best point of engagement or radiation contact.
[0106] With reference to
[0107] The manufacturing and assembly of all of these and other components is optimized by having all HPM TEM-horns 405/406 made out of metalized plastic and each horizontal row of HPM TEM-horns 406 resting on an arc. Attaching an exemplary six arcs into a single frame or module facilitates an efficient assembly process and positioning of HPM TEM-horns 406. Each typical HPM TEM-horn 405 diameter is very small at the generator input. The phasing, trigger circuits, and generators triggers are optionally assembled locally at TEM-horn 406 antenna inputs.
[0108] With reference to
[0109] The following element 507 is disclosed as; damaging at least one target by coupled electromagnetic radiation as generated and delivered above elements 501-506. It is to be understood that the method elements disclosed herein disclose only one of many possible methods supported by the disclosure. It is also to be understood that the disclosed method may be performed in various equivalent sequences including some of the method steps or elements may be performed simultaneously or in various alternate orders.
[0110] Spectroscopic, transfer functions, relate spectral content to spectral components: with a radiation interval or primary generator pulse time T of approximately 1 nanosecond (1 ns=10.sup.9 seconds), the minimum frequency fmin corresponds to 1 GHz minimum radiation frequency. The primary generator time pulse length corresponds to T=1/fmin, where fmin corresponds to the minimum frequency of the highest electromagnetic wave coupling band, assures the most efficient electromagnetic field coupling and optimal power and energy transfer from the radiation.
[0111] The 1 ns primary generator pulse duration T corresponding to 1 GHz, defines and determines the geometry of the HPM TEM-horn and the Cassegrain antenna. As a practical consideration of Cassegrain antenna size, the 1 ns primary generator pulse duration translates to a Cassegrain antenna diameter of approximately 9 meters which is a practical size for most HPM weaponry applications.
[0112] An important aspect of this invention is keeping the timing of the shorter generator pulses including spacing thereof proportional to the oscillation quality factor Q of the electromagnetic interaction and inversely proportional to the target oscillation frequency fosc that results in an apparent increase of energy at the target without using any power from the power supplies: Tosc=Q/fosc.
[0113] With reference to
[0114] Compared with the typical target total oscillation time, Tosc 605, the sequential primary generator pulses T 606, being shorter and sequentially distributed with interposing time spacing T*Q 607 comprising primary intervals, Tint=T+T*Q, sequentially encompassing the Tosc time period 605, increases the power without increasing the transmitted energy. Furthermore, almost all complex target systems store the energy of the field prolonging the field interaction and extending the damage based on the oscillation quality factor Q.
[0115] It is understood that for a typical Tosc 605 time, a plurality of generators must be fired accordingly in sequential primary intervals to encompass, match, or align with the Tosc 605 requirement. It is not untypical to require generators to be combined as banks in order to satisfy the Tosc 605 requirement. It is further understood that each HPM TEM-horn can be powered by a plurality of generators with one or a plurality of generators per septum.
[0116] With reference to
[0117] With continued reference to
[0118] With reference to
[0119]
[0120] As an explanation and example of a bank firing algorithm with primary generator time T=1 ns and for N=100 generators total and a target oscillation quality factor of 5: for 4 sub-groups or banks of generators wherein each bank b.sub.i (i=1, 2,3,4) has k=25 generators fired at until all N=100 generators have fired. The triggering periods for firing the banks of generators are 6 ns with the exemplary Q=5, resulting in a total oscillation time of 24 ns and providing energy for only 4 ns.
[0121] To damage a target with the lowest energy we have to approach the highest electromagnetic coupling band from the highest frequencies i.e. shortest pulse duration. If at frequencies higher than the highest electromagnetic coupling band the target could be damaged, these frequencies should be considered wherein fmin corresponds to the minimum frequency of the highest electromagnetic wave coupling band. This may not assure the most efficient electromagnetic field coupling and not near-perfect power transfer, but it assures a perfect energy transfer. i.e. if shorter pulse with less energy will damage the target, there is no need to make the pulse longer, use more energy, and build larger more powerful equipment.
[0122] An embodiment of the current invention (ASR System) is presented herein along with a comparable analysis of the JOLT system design (JOLT) having an E-field*R=610.sup.+6 V and a dish antenna diameter, D.sub.1=3.6 meters vs. the ASR Cassegrain antenna having a diameter, D.sub.2=9 meters. The following disclosure represents a constructive reduction to practice of the invention and provides a real world basis for comparing the capability of the invention against the performance of a comparable embodiment of an existing inferior weapon system called JOLT. The exemplary weapon system of the invention is called ASR.
[0123] To avoid the effects of different illumination area of the JOLT and ASR analyzed systems, the energy available at the target is related to the effective radiated E-field available at one square meter (1 m.sup.2) of the target area.
[0124] Calculation of gain/loss of energy in HPM weapons such as JOLT and ASR is done assuming no loss in the power supply i.e. the energy and power of the radiated pulse is related to the peak voltage of the generator and a proper termination resistance of the antenna.
[0125] The comparison begins by summarizing the calculated and disclosed results of JOLT as follows: [0126] Generated voltage: V.sub.g1=10.sup.+6 V [0127] Radiated Pulse duration: T.sub.1=4*10.sup.9 s [0128] Effective pulse duration: t.sub.1=1*10.sup.9 s [0129] Antenna Input Impedance: R.sub.g1=86 ohm [0130] Diameter of the radiating antenna dish: D.sub.1=3.6 m [0131] Area of beam illumination:
[0139] The calculated or analyzed results for the ASR embodiment of the current invention with an HPM TEM-horn array is summarized as follows: [0140] Number of generators in the array (only one generator per one TEM-horn): [0141] N.sub.g2=32 [0142] Generated voltage per one generator: V.sub.g2=4*10.sup.+6 V [0143] Radiated Pulse duration: T.sub.2=1*10.sup.9 [0144] Effective pulse duration: t.sub.2=1*10.sup.9 s [0145] Antenna Input Impedance: R.sub.g2=100 ohm [0146] Diameter of the radiating antenna dish: D.sub.2=9 m [0147] Area of beam illumination:
[0155] The most important comparisons of the JOLT and ASR systems pertain to the strengths of the radiated E-field and efficiencies.
[0156] The ASR system's Cassegrain antenna has a diameter of 9 m and radiates E-field of 3 MV/m. Comparisons of this invention with the JOLT system include; JOLT system diameter of 3.6 m and a radiated E-field of 70 kV/m includes a 9/3.6=2.5 antenna diameter factor which is relatively small in respect to the strength of E-field (kV/m) ratio; 3000/70=43.
[0157] The increase of energy efficiency between the ASR and JOLT systems is : l=E.sub.e2/E.sub.e1=33.6=3360%. The increased efficiency allows an ASR system to be facilitated using a much smaller power supply with less bulk and weight for mobility.
[0158] Another exemplary system of the invention may include but is not limited to 32 HPM TEM-horns (i.e. 6*6 array minus 4 HPM TEM-horns in the 4 corners), each with a single generator to illuminate the Cassegrain antenna. If such arrangement is used as a receiver, 32 HPM TEM-horns each having 4 outputs will have in a single Cassegrain antenna 128 outputs. Considering that out of the 128 outputs half consists of +/ voltage, providing 64 outputs consisting of double voltages.
[0159] The received signals could be processed in time and frequency (by dividing the entire spectrum into small bands) offering information bandwidth never achieved beforefor example fmax/fmin=100. Because there is essentially no high power limitation, an antenna operating from 1 to 50 GHz is conceived. It is considerable that one Cassegrain antenna could have 32 antennas [64 outputs and 10 (5 GHz each) bands] for video, one could process 640 video channels in parallel. At maximum frequencies of 500 GHz, the 32 channels when delayed in time could allow measuring real time femtosecond (fs=10.sup.15 second) signals. A single Cassegrain antenna would allow measuring single physical phenomena at the fs time scale. Using multiple Cassegrain antennas allows not only time, but also 3D spatial studies. All of this is done from a distance, and none of this has ever been possible prior to this invention.
[0160] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.