Abstract

In this paper we present the theory, design, and implementation of a continuously tunable phase shifter using a surface-wave structure. The surface-wave travels on a reconfigurable impedance surface which is implemented by arranging dipoles on a single-layer PCB where a varactor is placed in the gap in the middle of each dipole. The proposed phase shifter operates at X-band from 8.5 to 10 GHz and it can provide 464 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">o</sup> phase shift with a figure of merit of 110 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">o</sup> /dB at 9.16 GHz. In the designed phase shifter, the varactor loss is less than all other loss mechanisms which makes it possible to achieve a high figure of merit at a high frequency range. The proposed phase shifter can be used in the design of phased arrays that require a high radiation efficiency at a relatively high frequency compared to the self-resonance frequency of the tunable electronic components.

Highlights

  • Phase shifters are essential components in the design of beam steerable phased arrays

  • In this paper we propose a continuously tunable phase shifter that can achieve a large figure of merit using a surface wave on a tunable impedance surface

  • The input and the output of the phase shifter is provided through two SMA connectors which are connected to the two pins inside the phase shifter to excite the surface wave

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Summary

Introduction

Phase shifters are essential components in the design of beam steerable phased arrays. Electronic switches can be used to provide discrete phase shifts with certain intervals [11]–[13] Both types of phase shifters are prone to power dissipation in their tunable elements, continuously tunable phase shifters are more susceptible due to the changing quality factor of the tunable electronic components throughout the tuning range. This effect is magnified at higher frequencies, especially close to the self-resonance frequency of the tunable electric components where their quality factor is decreased substantially The focus of this manuscript is to design a continuously tunable phase shifter with a low power dissipation in the tunable components, and a low insertion loss, at relatively high frequencies compared to the self-resonance frequency of the tunable elements. This phase shifter can be used in the design of phased arrays with high radiation efficiency at high frequencies

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