A compact L-band broadband 6-bit MMIC phase shifter with low phase error

This paper discusses the design and test performance of a compact L-band 6-bit phase shifter monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC). Each bit of this phase shifter design is based on an optimum topology to reach balanced and optimal insertion loss, phase shifting accuracy, gain variation, and bandwidth performance. Extensive electromagnetic simulation is performed in the circuit design to ensure first-pass success. This MMIC is fabricated with the commercially available M/A-COM technology solutions´ 0.5μm GaAs pHEMT technology. The chip size of this MMIC is 2.45 mm × 1.35 mm (3.3 mm²). Test results of this phase shifter exhibits 3.8 dB ± 0.75 dB insertion loss and state-of-the-art phase error performance of 4° rms phase error over a 53% bandwidth and 2° over a 40% bandwidth.