Large phased arrays using balance-impedance phase shifters

Abstract

A balanced-impedance phase shifter (BIPS) beamformer design that can be scaled to realize large phased arrays (e.g., arrays with element counts greater than four) while minimizing power consumption and cost is provided. The beamformer design includes multiple beamforming ports, a summation port, a first set of two or more of BIPS beamforming circuits receiving port signals from the beamforming ports to generate multiple intermediate signals, and a second set of one or more beamforming circuit receiving the multiple intermediate signals to generate a combined signal at the summation port. The second set of beamforming circuits may include a BIPS beamforming circuit. The second set of beamforming circuits may include or multiple radio frequency (RF) beamforming circuits. The first and second sets of beamforming circuits are configured to perform phase shifting based on a desired beamforming characteristics and array geometry.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.