Design and experimental analysis of MEMS-based Ku band phase shifter

Circuit World ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prithivi Rajan V. ◽  
Punitha A.
Keyword(s):  
Phase Shift ◽  
Insertion Loss ◽  
Phase Shifter ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Low Loss ◽  
Maximum Phase ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mems Switch ◽  
Low Insertion Loss ◽  
Ku Band

Purpose This paper aims to design a radio frequency micro-electro-mechanical system (RF MEMS)-based phase shifter using chamfered coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission line (t-line) with open-circuit interdigital metal–air–metal (ID MAM) capacitors. Design/methodology/approach The proposed phase shifter achieves maximum differential phase shift with low loss at Ku band. The phase shifter is built with one switchable fixed-fixed beam (MEMS switch) on chamfered CPW t-line in series with two planar open-circuit ID MAM capacitors. An equivalent circuit model for the proposed phase shifter is derived, and its parameters are extracted using an electromagnetic (EM) solver. Findings The MEMS switch is actuated using an electrostatic method with the calculated residual stress of 44.26 MPa. The fabricated phase shifter exhibits low insertion loss, close to 0.14 dB at 17 GHz, with the maximum phase shift of 15.06°. The return loss is greater than 23 dB between 12 and 18 GHz. Originality/value This phase shifter presents a promising solution for low loss applications in the Ku band with a maximum phase shift. As the maximum phase shift of 15.06° is achieved for a unit cell with low insertion loss, the phase shifter is found to be feasible for modern electronically tunable phased arrays used for satellite communication and radar systems.

Design & Simulation of Low Loss 5-Bit Ku Band Switched Line MEMS Phase Shifter on Gaas

2011 ◽  
Vol 403-408 ◽  
pp. 5330-5334
Author(s):  
Anesh K. Sharma ◽  
Ashu K. Gautam ◽  
D.V.K. Sastry ◽  
S.G. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Phase Shift ◽  
Return Loss ◽  
Phase Shifter ◽  
Rf Mems ◽  
Structural Parameters ◽  
Actuation Voltage ◽  
Low Loss ◽  
Total Phase ◽  
Phase Shift Error ◽  
Ku Band

As the requirement for the low loss phase shifter increases, so does the development of RF MEMS as a solution. This paper presents the design & simulation of Switched line MEMS phase shifter for Ku band using GaAs substrate. The phase shift can be achieved by varying the lengths in delay path to the reference path for the same phase velocity. The electromagnetic & electromechanical simulations were carried out with various structural parameters to optimize the design. The novelties like low insertion loss, low actuation voltage with distributed actuation pads for DC and RF are used to make the design unique. The EM simulations are carried out using 3D simulator HFSS and a phase shift of 172.6 deg./dB for a total Phase shift of 348.75deg was achieved with return loss of 15.5dB over a frequency band from 16-18 GHz and a phase shift error less than ±2 degree in the 32 states. The electromechanical simulations are carried to achieve the low actuation voltage of 15.3V. These parameters make these suitable for the Phased array applications [1, 2].

Phased-array antennas using novel PSoC-controlled phase shifters for wireless applications

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Aparna B. Barbadekar ◽  
Pradeep M. Patil
Keyword(s):  
Insertion Loss ◽  
Phase Shifter ◽  
Phased Array ◽  
Phase Shifters ◽  
Control Circuit ◽  
Power Divider ◽  
Phased Array Antenna ◽  
Phased Array Antennas ◽  
Array Antennas ◽  
Low Insertion Loss

Abstract The paper proposes a system consisting of novel programmable system on chip (PSoC)-controlled phase shifters which in turn guides the beam of an antenna array attached to it. Four antennae forming an array receive individual inputs from the programmable phase shifters (IC 2484). The input to the PSoC-based phase shifter is provided from an optimized 1:4 Wilkinson power divider. The antenna consists of an inverted L-shaped dipole on the front and two mirrored inverted L-shaped dipoles mounted on a rectangular conductive structure on the back which resonates in the ISM/Wi-Fi band (2.40–2.48 GHz). The power divider is designed to provide the feed to the phase shifter using a beamforming network while ensuring good isolation among the ports. The power divider has measured S11, S21, S31, S41, and S51 to be −14, −6.25, −6.31, −6.28, and −6.31 dB, respectively at a frequency of 2.45 GHz. The ingenious controller is designed in-house using a PSoC microcontroller to regulate the control voltage of individual phase shifter IC and generate progressive phase shifts. To validate the calibration of the in-house designed control circuit, the phased array is simulated using $s_p^2$ touchstone file of IC 2484. This designed control circuit exhibits low insertion loss close to −8.5 dB, voltage standing wave ratio of 1.58:1, and reflection coefficient (S11) is −14.36 dB at 2.45 GHz. Low insertion loss variations confirm that the phased-array antenna gives equal amplitude and phase. The beamforming radiation patterns for different scan angles (30, 60, and 90°) for experimental and simulated phased-array antenna are matched accurately showing the accuracy of the control circuit designed. The average experimental and simulated gain is 13.03 and 13.48 dBi respectively. The in-house designed controller overcomes the primary limitations associated with the present electromechanical phased array such as cost weight, size, power consumption, and complexity in design which limits the use of a phased array to military applications only. The current study with novel design and enhanced performance makes the system worthy of the practical use of phased-array antennas for common society at large.

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