An analog RF MEMS slotline true-time-delay phase shifter

K. Van Caekenberghe, Tauno Vähä-Heikkilä

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

    20 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    An analog RF microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) slotline true-time-delay (TTD) phase shifter is presented for use in conjunction with tapered slot antennas, such as the Vivaldi aerial and the double exponentially tapered slot antenna. The design is a scalable distributed loaded-line cascade of 62 novel differential slow-wave unit cells. Each differential slow-wave unit cell comprises an electrically short slotline section, which is loaded with a shunt impedance consisting of two center-pulled contactless fixed-fixed beam RF MEMS varactors in series, sharing a common electrode. The analog RF MEMS slotline TTD phase shifter is demonstrated on a borosilicate glass wafer using a microfabrication process requiring six masks. It is designed for transistor-transistor logic bias voltage levels and exhibits a measured phase shift of 28.2deg/dB (7.8 ps/dB) and 59.2deg/cm at 10 GHz, maintaining a 75-Omega differential impedance match (S11dd < -15.8 dB). The input third-order intercept point is 5 dBm at 10 GHz for a Deltaf of 50 kHz, measured in a 100-Omega differential transmission line system. Design and fabrication opportunities, concerning distortion and loss reduction, as well as packaging, are highlighted.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)2151-2159
    Number of pages9
    JournalIEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques
    Volume56
    Issue number9
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2008
    MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

    Keywords

    • electronically scanned array
    • phase shifter
    • RF microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)
    • MEMS
    • slotline
    • true time delay (TTD)

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