Panel antenna with variable phase shifter

A variable phase shifter module, comprising:

• a first main PCB having an input trace coupled to a first wiper junction;
• a first arcuate trace extending between a first output trace and a second output trace on the first main PCB, the first arcuate trace having an arc center proximate the first wiper junction;
• a second arcuate trace extending between a third output trace and a fourth output trace;
• the second arcuate trace having an arc center proximate the first wiper junction;
• a first wiper PCB having a linking trace thereon;
• the wiper PCB rotatably coupled to the first main PCB proximate the first wiper junction with the linking trace facing the first main PCB;
• and
• an arcuate edge guide surface formed in the first main PCB having an arc center proximate the first wiper junction;
• and a clip coupled to the wiper to bias the first wiper PCB against the first main PCB, about the arcuate edge guide surface;
• the linking trace coupling the first wiper junction with the first arcuate trace and the second arcuate trace.

A low-height panel antenna comprising:

• an array of radiating elements;
• a feed network connecting a signal input to said array of radiating elements;
• and
• a phase shifter assembly located in said feed network and configured to adjust the phasing of signals fed to said array of radiating elements, said phase shifter assembly comprising a moveable conductive component coupled to the input and capacitively coupled to a transmission line segment of the network between radiating elements, the wiper conductive component or transmission line segment having a dielectric coating providing dielectric separation of the transmission line segment and the wiper conductive component.

A low-height panel antenna comprising:

• an array of radiating elements;
• a feed network connecting a signal input to said array of radiating elements;
• and
• a low-height phase shifter assembly as described in claim 200 located in said feed network and configured to adjust the phasing of signals fed to said array of radiating elements.

A low-height panel antenna comprising:

• an array of radiating elements;
• a feed network connecting a signal input to said array of radiating elements;
• and
• a low-height phase shifter assembly as described in claim 300 located in said feed network and configured to adjust the phasing of signals fed to said array of radiating elements.