Phase shifting and combining architecture for phased arrays
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsBrian Allan Floyd, Arun Sridhar Natarajan
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Abstract
Improved phased array techniques and architectures are provided. For example, a linear phased array includes N discrete phase shifters and N−1 variable phase shifters, wherein the N−1 variable phase shifters are respectively coupled between adjacent output nodes of the N discrete phase shifters such that the N discrete phase shifters reduce an amount of continuous phase shift provided by the N−1 variable phase shifters. Each of the N discrete phase shifters may select between two or more discrete phase shifts. The N discrete phase shifters also preferably eliminate a need for a variable termination impedance in the linear phased array.
Claims5
A method for use in a linear phased array, comprising the steps of:
- providing N discrete phase shifters and N−1 variable phase shifters, wherein the N−1 variable phase shifters are respectively coupled between adjacent output nodes of the N discrete phase shifters;
- and
- selecting a phase shifting mode from among multiple phase shifting modes associated with the N discrete phase shifter, wherein discrete phase shift settings associated with the N discrete phase shifters are configured in the modes such that, as the number of discrete phase shift settings increases, a variable phase shift range of the N−1 variable phase shifters decreases.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.