A Phased Array Antenna Using Ferroelectric CPW Phase Shifter Active Modules

Abstract

A phased array antenna using ferroelectric coplanar waveguide (CPW) phase shifter active modules is presented based on a Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 (BST) thin film. The ferroelectric BST thin film was deposited on an MgO substrate by using pulsed laser deposition. The active module amplifies an RF signal with low noise and changes the phase of a received RF signal to control the main beam of the array antenna. It is composed of low noise amplifier (LNA), dc block, and ferroelectric CPW phase shifter. The prototype of 6x12 phased array patch antenna with the active modules using a ferroelectric phase shifter is proposed. The proposed array antenna continuously scanned its main beam in elevation plane to 32 degrees from its broadside direction at 11.85 GHz by applying the continuous dc voltage to the ferroelectric phase shifter.