Analysis and design of a compact SIW-based multi-layer wideband phase shifter for Ku-band applications

This paper addresses the design and analysis of a novel compact wideband phase shifter in SIW technology. Employing the recently developed low-loss two-level SIW transition, the proposed structure exploits the multi-layer possibility offered by the SIW technology offering a compact three layer design. Preliminary results have been reported by the authors in. This paper brings deeper understanding of the phase shifter design and performances through an equivalent circuit model with detailed results. The developed structure offers up to 66 % area reduction with respect to the analogous single layer, equal-length variable-width phase shifter reported in. Phase shifts of -45°, -90°, -135° and -180° are satisfied over 2 GHz bandwidth centered at 12.5 GHz with less than 5° peak-to-peak error. These phase shifters are particularly attractive for integration in more complex multi-layer systems as beam-forming networks.