Phase shifter with flexible control voltage

A phase shifter with comprising:

• a first single pole double throw (SPDT) switch comprising field effect transistors (FETs);
• a second SPDT switch comprising FETs, wherein the first SPDT switch is switchably in communication with the second SPDT switch via a low pass network, wherein the FETs receive a DC reference voltage;
• the first SPDT switch also switchably in communication with the second SPDT switch via a high pass network;
• wherein the phase shifter is configured to receive a RF signal at a first input/output node associated with the first SPDT switch, and to provide the RF signal to the second SPDT switch via the high pass network for output at a second input/output node associated with the second SPDT switch, and
• a ground, wherein each of the first and second SPDT switches are connected to the ground via a series resonant capacitor, wherein the series resonant capacitor provides a virtual RF ground at the operating frequency of the respective first and second SPDT switch.

A method for phase shifting comprising:

• receiving a RF signal at a first input/output node associated with a first single pole double throw (SPDT) switch;
• selectively passing the RF signal from the first SPDT switch to a second SPDT switch via one of a first path and a second path, wherein the first path has a different phase response then the second path;
• communicating the RF signal from the second SPDT switch to a second input/output node associated with the second SPDT switch;
• wherein the first and second SPDT switches comprise field effect transistors (FETs), wherein each of the FETs comprises a gate terminal, a source terminal, and a drain terminal, wherein each of the FETs further receives a DC reference voltage that is provided to one of the source and drain terminals of each of the FETs;
• and
• connecting a series resonant capacitor between a ground and the first SPDT switch and between the ground and the second SPDT switch, wherein the series resonant capacitor is series resonant at the operating frequency of the respective first and second SPDT switch.

A method for controlling a phase shifter, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a reference voltage to a switch in the phase shifter, the switch comprising at least one transistor, wherein each transistor of the at least one transistor comprises a three terminal type transistor, wherein the reference voltage is provided to the at least one transistor at a reference voltage connection, and wherein each reference voltage connection has an RF ground through a series resonant capacitor, wherein the series resonant capacitor is series resonant at the operating frequency of the switch;
• wherein the reference voltage is provided to one of the three terminals of each of the at least one transistor in the phase shifter;
• and
• providing a control signal to another of the three terminals of the at least one transistor.

A method for phase shifting comprising:

• receiving a RF signal at a first input/output node associated with a first single pole double throw (SPDT) switch;
• selectively passing the RF signal from the first SPDT switch to a second SPDT switch via one of a first path and a second path, where the first path has a different phase response from the second path;
• and
• communicating the RF signal from the second SPDT switch to a second input/output node associated with the second SPDT switch;
• wherein the first and second SPDT switches each comprise at least four field effect transistors (FETs);
• wherein each of the at least four FETs comprises a gate terminal, a source terminal, and a drain terminal, wherein each of the at least four FETs further receives a DC reference voltage that is provided to one, but not both, of the source and drain terminals of each of the at least four FETs.