Millimetre-Wave Phase Shifter Based on Dielectric Rod Waveguide

Abstract

In this work we propose a novel millimetre-wave phase shifter targeted on thin ferroelectric film technology. Architecture of the phase shifter is proposed to use a dielectric rod waveguide with a periodic printed array of electrically small dipoles loaded with a ferroelectric varactor (pin diode, Schottky diode, etc.) with the function of control the phase of the propagating wave. The proposed architecture of the phase shifter is verified by measuring two prototypes, where the tuneable elements (ferroelectric varactor) are replaced by non-tuneable capacitors with 10 fF and 15 fF respectively. The measurements revealed a considerable phase shift and small insertion losses. It is demonstrated that the proposed periodic structure using the dielectric rod waveguide allows to fully realize a potential of known tuneable elements at millimetre-wavelengths.