Phase shifter and line scanner for phased array applications

摘要

A millimeter wave line scanner is disclosed providing steered fan-shaped beams from opposite faces at substantially equal angles of a semiconductor waveguide, rectangular in cross section, and having a plurality of equally spaced metallic perturbations or strips disposed on one of the two radiating sides or faces. Different angles of scan are selectively obtained by means of at least one distributed longitudinal PIN diode formed on an adjoining side of the semiconductor waveguide having electrical circuit means coupled thereto for controlling the diode's conductivity which acts to change the guide wavelength and accordingly cause a variation in radiation angle of the two equal beams radiating from opposite faces. The waveguide with one or more PIN diodes may also be used as a phase shifter. To reduce losses, a dielectric insulating layer is disposed between each PIN diode and the waveguide, which prevents the propagation of the wave into the PIN diode.