PHASE SHIFTING AND COMBINING ARCHITECTURE FOR PHASED ARRAYS

摘要

Improved phased array techniques and architectures are provided. For example, a linear phased array includes N discrete phase shifters and N-I variable phase shifters, wherein the N-I variable phase shifters are respectively coupled between adjacent output nodes of the N discrete phase shifters such that the N discrete phase shifters reduce an amount of continuous phase shift provided by the N-I variable phase shifters. Each of the N discrete phase shifters may select between two or more discrete phase shifts. The N discrete phase shifters also preferably eliminate a need for a variable termination impedance in the linear phased array.