A C-band beam-forming matrix for phased-array antenna applications

A design description and measured performance of a modular beam-forming matrix (BFM) are presented. Advanced GaAs monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) phase shifter and attenuator designs ensure repeatable performance and small size. A novel BFM integration approach is used which ensures state-of-the-art performance, low mass, and high reliability, as well as low-risk/low-cost assembly. The 8×8 BFM shelf includes 192 GaAs MMICs, 200 silicon ICs, and 16 eight-way power dividers/combiners in an assembly measuring only 21×16×1.5 cm. While the design presented is for an eight-beam C-band phased array, the modular architecture easily accommodates other array configurations at different frequency bands with different numbers of beams and elements