Phase Shift

phase-frequency filter -pll

Phase shifter

Phase shift module

A phase shifter is a microwave network which provides a controllable phase shift of the RF
signal.
[1][2][3]
Phase shifters are used in phased arrays.
[4][5][6]

A microwave (6 to 18 GHz) Phase Shifter and Frequency Translator. Picture courtesy of Herley

Contents
1 Classification
2 Figures of Merit
3 References
4 External links
Classification[edit]
Active versus passive: Active phase shifters provide gain, while passive phase shifters are
lossy.
Active:
Applications: active electronically scanned array (AESA) , passive electronically
scanned array (PESA)
Gain: The phase shifter amplifies while phase shifting
Noise figure (NF)
Reciprocity: not reciprocal
Passive:
Applications: active electronically scanned array (AESA) , passive electronically
scanned array (PESA)
Loss: the phase shifter attenuates while phase shifting
NF: NF = loss
Reciprocity: reciprocal
Analog versus digital:
Analog phase shifters provide a continuously variable phase shift or time delay.
[7]

Digital phase shifters provide a discrete set of phase shifts or time delays. Discretization
leads to quantization errors. Digital phase shifters require parallel bus control.
Differential, single-ended or waveguide:
Differential transmission line: A differential transmission line is a balanced two-
conductor transmission line in which the phase difference between currents is 180
degrees. The differential mode is less susceptible to common mode noise and cross
talk.
Antenna selection: dipole, tapered slot antenna (TSA)
Examples: coplanar strip, slotline
Single-ended transmission line: A single-ended transmission line is a two-conductor
transmission line in which one conductor is referenced to a common ground, the second
conductor. The single-ended mode is more susceptible to common-mode noise and
cross talk.
Antenna selection: double folded slot (DFS), microstrip, monopole
Examples: CPW, microstrip, stripline
Waveguide
Antenna selection: waveguide, horn
Frequency band
One-conductor or dielectric transmission line versus two-conductor transmission
line
One-conductor or dielectric transmission line (optical fibre, finline, waveguide):
Modal
No TEM or quasi-TEM mode, not TTD or quasi-TTD
Higher-order TE, TM, HE or HM modes are distorted
Two-conductor transmission line (CPW, microstrip, slotline, stripline):
Differential or single-ended
TEM or quasi-TEM mode is TTD or quasi-TTD
Phase shifters versus TTD phase shifter
A phase shifter provides an invariable phase shift with frequency, and is used for fixed-
beam frequency-invariant pattern synthesis.
A TTD phase shifter provides an invariable time delay with frequency, and is used for
squint-free and ultra wideband (UWB) beam steering.
Reciprocal versus non-reciprocal
Reciprocal: T/R
Non-reciprocal: T or R
Technology
Non semi-conducting (ferrite, ferro-electric, RF MEMS, liquid crystal):
Passive
Semi-conducting (RF CMOS, GaAs. SiGe, InP, GaN or Sb):
Active: BJT or FET transistor based MMICs, RFICs or optical ICs
Passive: PIN diode based hybrids
Design
Loaded-line:
Distortion:
Distorted if lumped
Undistorted and TTD if distributed
Reflect-type:
Applications: reflect arrays (S11 phase shifters)
Distortion:
Distorted if S21 phase shifter, because of 3 dB coupler
Undistorted and TTD if S11 phase shifter
Switched-network
Network:
High-pass or low-pass
or T
Distortion:
Undistorted if the left-handed high-pass sections cancel out the distortion of the
right-handed low-pass sections
Switched-line
Applications: UWB beam steering
Distortion: undistorted and TTD
Vector summing
Figures of Merit[edit]
Number of Effective bits, if digital [Bit]
Biasing: current-driven, high-voltage electrostatic [mA,V]
DC power consumption [mW]
Distortion: group velocity dispersion (GVD) [ps/(km.nm)]
Gain [dB] if active, loss if [dB] if passive
Linearity: IP3, P1dB [dBm]
Phase shift / noise figure [deg/dB] (phase shifter) or time delay / noise figure [ps/dB] (TTD
phase shifter)
Power handling [mW, dBm]
Reliability [Cycles, MTBF]
Size [mm
2
]
Switching time [ns]
References[edit]
1. ^ Microwave Solid State Circuit Design, 2nd Ed., by nder Bahl and Prakash Bhartia, John Wiley & Sons,
2003 (Chapter 12)
2. ^ RF MEMS Theory, Design and Technology by Gabriel Rebeiz, John Wiley & Sons, 2003 (Chapter 9-10)
3. ^ Antenna Engineering Handbook, 4th Ed., by John Volakis, McGraw-Hill, 2007 (Chapter 21)
4. ^ Phased Array Antennas, 2nd Ed., by R. C. Hansen, John Wiley & Sons, 1998
5. ^ Phased Array Antenna Handbook, 2nd Ed., by Robert Mailloux, Artech House, 2005
6. ^ Phased Array Antennas by Arun K. Bhattacharyya, John Wiley & Sons, 2006
7. ^ Microwave Phase Shifter information from Herley General Microwave
External links[edit]
Website on Phase Shifters in Microwaves
Microwave Phase Shifter information from Herley General Microwave
[1] A low cost electro-mechanical phase shifter design, including a brief summary of solid
state methods @ www.activefrance.com