Four-element phased-array antenna systems monolithically integrated on silicon

Abstract

Planar phased array antenna system on a silicon substrate have been developed, which is an indispensable component for wireless applications. The antenna networks designed for 15GHz applications consists of four patches, four ferroelectric phase shifters, three Wilkinson power dividers, and coplanar waveguide(CPW). The microstrip patch dimension was determined with the aid of simulation tools to have a S11 value of less than 15dB at 15GHz. The Wilkinson power dividers comprised of asymmetrical coplanar strips(ACPS) show a 3dB power splitting, and the phase shifters utilizing the tunability of ferroelectric films generate a linear phase change at the device terminal depending on biased voltages. By controlling the voltages independently applied to each phase shifters, the beam shape and direction radiated from the patches can be changed and steered.