2-bit phase quantization phased array element

A phased array antenna comprising:

• a first dielectric layer including a top, first dielectric surface and a bottom, first dielectric surface, wherein the top, first dielectric surface is on an opposite side of the first dielectric layer relative to the bottom, first dielectric surface, wherein the first dielectric layer is formed of a first dielectric material;
• a conductive layer including a top conductive surface and a bottom conductive surface, wherein the top conductive surface is on an opposite side of the conductive layer relative to the bottom conductive surface, wherein the bottom conductive surface is mounted to the top, first dielectric surface, wherein the conductive layer is formed of a first conductive material;
• a second dielectric layer including a top, second dielectric surface and a bottom, second dielectric surface, wherein the top, second dielectric surface is on an opposite side of the second dielectric layer relative to the bottom, second dielectric surface, wherein the bottom, second dielectric surface is mounted to the top conductive surface, wherein the second dielectric layer is formed of a second dielectric material;
• and
• a plurality of phase shift elements distributed in a direction, wherein each phase shift element of the plurality of phase shift elements comprises
• a conducting pattern layer including a plurality of conductors mounted to the top, second dielectric surface, wherein the conducting pattern layer is formed of a second conductive material, wherein each conductor of the plurality of conductors is orthogonal to two other conductors of the plurality of conductors;
• a plurality of switches mounted to the bottom, first dielectric surface, wherein each switch of the plurality of switches is configured to be switchable between a conducting position and a non-conducting position;
• and
• a plurality of vertical interconnect accesses (vias), wherein each vertical interconnect access (via) of the plurality of vias is formed of a third conductive material that extends through the first dielectric layer, through a third dielectric material formed in and through the conductive layer, and through the second dielectric layer, wherein each via of the plurality of vias is connected to a single conductor of the plurality of conductors;
• wherein the first conductive material is configured to reflect an electromagnetic wave incident on the conducting pattern layer and on the second dielectric layer,
• wherein, when a switch of the plurality of switches is in the conducting position, the switch electrically connects two conductors of the plurality of conductors to each other through their respective vias,
• wherein a plurality of different switch configurations of the plurality of switches provide a 2-bit phase quantization on the reflected electromagnetic wave relative to the electromagnetic wave incident on the conducting pattern layer when the electromagnetic wave is incident on the conducting pattern layer,
• wherein a switch configuration of each phase shift element of the plurality of phase shift elements is selected such that the plurality of phase shift elements generates a main beam of the reflected electromagnetic wave in a preselected direction when the electromagnetic wave is incident on the conducting pattern layer.