RF-MEMS BASED 2-BIT REFLECTIVE PHASE SHIFTER AT X-BAND FOR RECONFIGURABLE REFLECT-ARRAY ANTENNAS
C. SIEGEL, V. ZIEGLER, B. SCHÖNLINNER, U. PRECHTEL, H. SCHUMACHER

Abstract. This paper describes the design, realization and characterization of a reflective 2-bit phase shifter at X-Band, which will be a key element of a reflect-array antenna used for broadband satellite communication on-board passenger airplanes. The microstrip circuit is realized using the EADS very low-complexity RF-MEMS technology to implement an SP3T multi-throw switch for RF-signal routing. The measured Rfperformance of the reflective phase shifter indicates a mean insertion loss of -1.0 dB and a phase deviation of 27.3° at the operational frequencies from
10.75 GHz to 12.7 GHz.
Keywords: RF-MEMS, reflective phase shifter, low-complexity technology, reflect-array antenna.