Controllable microstrip phase shifter using actuating membrane ground plane

Controllable microstrip transmission line phase shifters employing the membrane actuated ground plane are investigated. Simulated data are included for a uniform air gap transmission line phase shifter, as well. A single 10.4 mm diameter membrane had showed phase shifts of 37.07/spl deg/ and 55.48/spl deg/ at 11.01 GHz and 14.25 GHz, respectively, which can be further duplicated and put as an array to cover the desired length of the microstrip line, to achieve a desired phase shift in a particular application. This phase shifter may find applications in phased arrays, and as discrete phase shifter components.