Miniaturized Rx front-end modules for digital beam forming arrays

An original implementation of a receiver for UMTS numerically-controlled smart base-stations is proposed in this paper. A complete analog front-end is inserted within a hybrid-radiating module. The module uses original conformal patches inserted in a machined ground plane. This particular geometry contributes to minimize mutual coupling effects when they are spatially distributed (and thus a better control of the synthesized array); it brings simultaneously a great flexibility for implementing both RF active and passive functions within a common environment, and a significant radiation pattern enhancement. A digital beam-forming platform is proposed and experimentations delivered on different situations.