A Miniaturized Phased Array Antenna Based on Novel Switch Line Phase Shifter Module

Abstract

A miniaturized phased array antenna with a uniquely designed switch line phase shifter to obtain a steerable beam pattern is presented. A 1x4 phased array patch antenna is designed at 5 GHz using Rogers dielectric material with a relative permittivity of 6.15 and a thickness of 1.524 mm. Each element of the probe fed PAA are connected to a phase shifter on a different dielectric substrate. The phase shifter has four equal length microstrip lines placed in a circular fashion around a via that connects to the antenna at the center. The addition of each microstrip line is designed to provide a phase shift of 90⁰. This design provides the ability to place the phase shifter and feed to the antenna in space constrained locations. The maximum steering angle obtained was ±45⁰. This design is appropriate for Wi-Fi applications that requires directional beam pattern, Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) communications, scanning radars, and other applications requiring steerable beam pattern. This design is patent pending