Phase shifter

A phase shifter, comprising:

• a signal input;
• a signal output;
• an electrostatic discharge protection circuit comprising a first two port device and a second two port device, each two port device being switchable between a high impedance state and a low impedance state;
• a first signal path between the signal input and the signal output, wherein the first signal path comprises the first two port device of the electrostatic discharge protection circuit and a first delay line configured to provide a first phase shift to a signal transmitted from the signal input to the signal output via the first signal path;
• and
• a second signal path between the signal input and the signal output, wherein the second signal path comprises the second two port device of the electrostatic discharge protection circuit and a second delay line configured to provide a second phase shift, different from the first phase shift, to the signal transmitted from the signal input to the signal output via the second signal path;
• wherein the electrostatic discharge protection circuit is a circuit that is conventionally used for protecting electrostatic discharge sensitive electronic circuits from an electrostatic discharge;
• and
• wherein the first two port device and the second two port device are capable of non-destructively discharging electrostatic discharge voltages or electrostatic discharge currents in an electrostatic discharge event;
• wherein each of the two port devices of the electrostatic discharge protection circuit is implemented
• by means of two reverse connected diodes;
• or by means of a uni-directional high-speed diode adapted to be operated in a reverse breakdown operation mode in the low impedance state.