Ka-band MMIC beam steered transmitter array

A 32 GHz six-element linear transmitter array utilizing monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) phase shifters and power amplifiers was developed, fabricated, and tested. The array is composed of an RF signal distribution subsystem, a set of two MMIC carriers, and a patch antenna subsystem. The mean and standard deviation of the phase shift was 7.0+or-1.6% over the range 0 degrees to 300 degrees . The mean and standard deviation of output power at 1 dB gain compression was 13.6+or-0.3 dBm. Several externally tuned devices are capable of producing as much as 21.5 dBm with a power-added efficiency of 14.5% at 1-dB gain compression. The array provides a beamwidth of 7.5 degrees and has demonstrated acceptable beam steering over +or-8 degrees . >