Phased array antenna having phase shifters with laterally spaced phase shift bodies

Abstract

A phased array antenna includes a plurality of antenna elements and a phase shifting device connected to the plurality of antenna elements. The phase shifting device includes a substrate, and a plurality of phase shifters on the substrate. Each phase shifter includes a first conductive portion adjacent the substrate and defining a signal path, and a body adjacent the first conductive portion and comprising a phase shifting material having a controllable dielectric constant for causing a phase shift of a signal being conducted through the signal path. The bodies are laterally spaced apart from one another, and may have a thickness equal to or greater than about 0.002 inches. In forming the phased array antenna, each body is bonded to respective signal paths using production surface mount or similar machines.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.