Phased array antenna using MEMS phase shifter

This article presents a phased array antenna employing MEMS phase shifter. The proposed phased array antenna consists of eight square patch antennas operating at 10.4 GHz with a bandwidth of 400 MHz. Feed line for each patch passes through a MEMS phase shifter realized by a series of bridges above the transmission line. The distance between the bridge and the transmission line underneath it is adjusted using a control signal applied to them, which in turn, introduces a loading effect on the feed signal. This changes the effective length of the feed line and provides phase shifts with 15-degree resolution. Low loss conversion units are employed in order to couple the phase shifter and microstrip lines. The integrated numerical analysis approach applied to phased array antenna employing MEMS phase shifter and the scattering parameters and radiation patterns at different steering angles demonstrate the effectiveness of employing MEMS phase shifters in designing phased array antennas. The proposed design methodology might be applied to other frequency bands, such as millimeter-wave for automotive applications. Employment of MEMS phase shifters instead of solid-state ones provides high linearity, high power handling, and wide frequency range of operation.