PHASED ARRAY ANTENNA USING PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATORS

摘要

Waveguide phase shifter (200, Fig. 2 and 300, Fig. 3) uses piezoelectric ceramics to implement a voltage variable actuator (270, 370) for moving at least one dielectric vane (255, 355) relative to a reference surface (206, 306) in a waveguide cavity (285, 385). In this manner, the phase shift in waveguide phase shifters (200, 300) is controlled. In one embodiment, actuator (270) comprises first piezoelectric wafer (210), second piezoelectric wafer (220), first metallic layer (230), second metallic layer (240), third metallic layer (250), mating surface (272) and spacer (265). Actuator (270) uses a stack of piezoelectric materials to establish a lever arm mechanism to establish vertical movement (294) and move dielectric vane (255). Actuator (370) uses a stack of piezoelectric materials to establish vertical movement (394) and move dielectric vane (355). Waveguide phase shifters (200, 300) are used in phased array antenna (400) operating at microwave frequencies.