Transformer-based balanced-impedance phase shifters for beamforming

An integrated circuit (IC) comprising:

• a plurality of beamforming ports;
• a plurality of phase shifters;
• and
• a summing node at which the plurality of phase shifters are connected in series,
• wherein each phase shifter comprises:
• a programmable admittance controlling phase shifting at a respective beamforming port of the phase shifter and in series connection with the programmable admittance of at least one other phase shifter in the plurality of phase shifters, wherein the programmable admittance comprises one or more digital tunable capacitors (DTCs) or digitally tunable reactive elements, and
• a balun providing an isolation interface between the respective beamforming port and the summing node.

A phased array comprising:

• a plurality of radiating elements;
• a beamforming system comprising:
• a plurality of beamforming ports connected to the plurality of radiating elements,
• a plurality of phase shifters, and
• a summing node at which the plurality of phase shifters are connected in series,
• wherein each phase shifter comprises:
• a programmable admittance controlling phase shifting at a respective beamforming port of the phase shifter and in series connection with the programmable admittance of at least one other phase shifter in the plurality of phase shifters, wherein the programmable admittance comprises one or more digital tunable capacitors(DTCs) or digitally tunable reactive elements, and
• a balun providing an isolation interface between the respective beamforming port and the summing node.