Sub-6 GHz High FOM Liquid Crystal Phase Shifter for Phased Array Antenna

This paper presents a novel structure based on liquid crystal (LC) technology to achieve high figure of merit $(FOM)$ phase shifter that works at sub-6 notation="LaTeX">$GHz$ frequencies. The phase-shifting mechanism is enabled through the constant variation in main microstrip line, which loaded periodically by variable equivalent capacitance controlled bias voltage. Furthermore, systematic approach transmission line circuit model and periodic theory developed as fast method for design optimization using notation="LaTeX">$ADS$ notation="LaTeX">$HFSS$ software. fabricated achieves maximum insertion loss 4.35 notation="LaTeX">$dB$ phase-shift 461$^{\circ }$ 4 notation="LaTeX">$GHz$, indicates an notation="LaTeX">$FOM$ equal 105.9. Moreover, return better than –10 from 3.7 4.2 covering 5 G band. To validate performance proposed shifter, 1-D electronically steered phased array designed, tested ×4 aperture-coupled patch antenna array, excited continuous RF mechanism. 4-port radiation component, designed with full simulation, achieved fractional bandwidth 30% GHz. prototype exhibits beam scanning over elevation range 0. According notation="LaTeX">$FOM$, integrable printed board (PCB), low-cost low power good candidate 5G application.