Compact antenna phase shifter with simplified drive mechanism

An antenna, comprising:

• an RF signal input port;
• a plurality of radiators;
• and
• a phase shifter arrangement electrically coupled between the RF signal input port and the plurality of radiators, the phase shifter arrangement having a pair of phase shifters, each phase shifter having a first wiper arm and a second wiper arm, the first and second wiper arm each having a proximal end and a distal end and a pivot axis disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, the first and second wiper arm each having a wiper arm conductive trace disposed on its underside wherein the conductive trace is disposed between the pivot axis and the distal end, and a drive pin slot disposed between the pivot axis and the proximal end,
• wherein the phase shifter arrangement has a drive shaft having a longitudinal axis and two drive pins, wherein the drive pins are disposed on opposite sides of the drive shaft at a lateral distance from the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft and mechanically coupled to the drive shaft by a plurality of struts,
• wherein each of the drive pins mechanically couples to a corresponding first wiper arm and second wiper arm of each of the pair of phase shifters,
• wherein as the drive shaft translates along the longitudinal axis, each drive pin slides within the drive pin slots of the corresponding first wiper arm and second wiper arm, causing the first wiper arm and second wiper arm to rotate in unison about their corresponding pivot axes.

An antenna having an plurality of array faces, each of plurality of array faces corresponding to a distinct azimuth angle of coverage, each of the array faces comprising:

• a PCB structure;
• a plurality of radiators disposed on the PCB structure;
• a phase shifter arrangement disposed on the PCB structure, the phase shifter arrangement having a pair of phase shifters, each of the phase shifters electrically coupled between one or more RF signal inputs and the plurality of radiators, each phase shifter having a first wiper arm and a second wiper arm, the first and second wiper arm each having a proximal end and a distal end and a pivot axis disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, the first and second wiper arm each having a wiper arm conductive trace disposed on its underside wherein the conductive trace is disposed between the pivot axis and the distal end, and a drive pin slot disposed between the pivot axis and the proximal end,
• wherein the phase shifter arrangement has a drive shaft having a longitudinal axis and two drive pins, wherein the drive pins are disposed on opposite sides of the drive shaft at a lateral distance from the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft and mechanically coupled to the drive shaft by a plurality of struts, wherein each of the drive pins mechanically couples to a corresponding first wiper arm and second wiper arm of each of the pair of phase shifters, wherein as the drive shaft translates along the longitudinal axis, each drive pin slides within the drive pin slots of the corresponding first wiper arm and second wiper arm, causing the first wiper arm and second wiper arm to rotate in unison about their corresponding pivot axes.