Low-loss true time-delay phase shifter
AssigneeAnalog Devices, Inc.
InventorHsin-Chang Lin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems, devices, and methods related to phase shifters are provided. An example true time-delay (TTD) phase shifter structure includes a signal conductive line disposed on a first layer of the structure; a first switchable ground plane comprising a first conductive plane disposed on a second layer of the structure; a second switchable ground plane comprising a second conductive plane disposed on a third layer of the structure, where the first, second, and third layers are separate layers of the structure; a first switch coupled between the first switchable ground plane and a first ground element, the first ground element disposed on the second layer; and a second switch coupled between the second switchable ground plane and a second ground element, the second ground element disposed on the third layer.
Claims20
A true time-delay (TTD) phase shifter structure comprising:
- a signal conductive line disposed on a first layer of the structure;
- a first switchable ground plane comprising a first conductive plane disposed on a second layer of the structure;
- a second switchable ground plane comprising a second conductive plane disposed on a third layer of the structure, wherein the first, second, and third layers are separate layers of the structure;
- a first switch coupled between the first switchable ground plane and a first ground element, the first ground element disposed on the second layer;
- and
- a second switch coupled between the second switchable ground plane and a second ground element, the second ground element disposed on the third layer;
- wherein the second switchable ground plane is spaced apart from the signal conductive line by a greater distance than the first switchable ground plane.
An integrated circuit device comprising:
- a first metal layer comprising a first signal conductive line;
- a second metal layer comprising a first ground plane switchable between a respective ground state and a respective floating state, wherein the second metal layer is vertically below the first metal layer;
- a third metal layer comprising a second ground plane switchable between a respective ground state and a respective floating state, wherein the third metal layer is vertically below the second metal layer;
- and
- a plurality of switches to selectively switch one of the first ground plane or the second ground plane to the respective ground state and another one of the first ground plane or the second ground plane to the respective floating state.
A method for performing phase-shifting, the method comprising:
- closing a first switch coupled between a first switchable ground plane and a first ground element, wherein the first switchable ground plane and the first ground element are disposed on a first metal layer of a device;
- opening a second switch coupled between a second switchable ground plane and a second ground element, wherein the second switchable ground plane and the second ground element are disposed on a second metal layer of the device;
- and
- transmitting, via a first signal conductive line, a first signal while the first switch is closed and the second switch is opened, wherein the first signal conductive line is disposed on a third metal layer of the device,
- wherein the first, second, and third metal layers are spaced apart from each other;
- and
- wherein the second switchable ground plane is spaced apart from the first signal conductive line by a greater distance than the first switchable ground plane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.