Abstract: A single stage unequal power combiner is proposed. Instead of conventional combiner plus impedance transformer of 2-stage unequal combiner, the single stage combiner gets rid of the input impedance transformer. The single stage combiner supports adjustable transmission line impedance and reasonable mismatch loss, assuming the that power ratio of the input signals is within a certain range. The single stage combiner also has an adjustable isolation resistor for different power ratios. A structure of switchable branch characteristic impedance, switchable isolation resistor for the unequal combiner is proposed as the preferred embodiment. In one advantageous aspect, broader coverage angle in a single array module can be realized via an antenna diversity switch.

Abstract: A wideband tunable frequency single-subband converter is proposed. The wideband frequency tunable converter operates within a wideband and tunable frequency range, and has process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) tracking capability. In one embodiment, the wideband converter comprises a frequency tunable polyphase filter having a plurality of switchable polyphase resistors. The polyphase resistors are controlled by a frequency tuning control signal to achieve wideband frequency tunability. In a preferred embodiment, a triode mode transistor is used as a polyphase resistor, and a different resistance value of the polyphase filter is realized by turning on one or multiple of the different transistors in triode mode. In addition, a constant Gm(R) bias generator is used to provide the gate biases to the triode mode transistors to maintain a constant and stable resistance value across PVT and other variation.

Abstract: A low-cost implementation and a simplified digital signal control and synchronization for a multi-beam phased-array antenna is proposed. In a preferred embodiment, the multi-beam phased array antenna is implemented with a stack-up comprises 1) an antenna substrate aperture containing embedded antenna elements and a third layer of the signal combiner/divider and distribution network, 2) interposer substrate providing a second layer of the signal combiner/divider and distribution network and the carrier of BPU ICs, and 3) the BPU ICs containing the plurality of phased-array frontend processing unit and a first layer of the signal combiner/divider and distribution unit. In one advantageous aspect, the invention is to combine the third layer of the signal combiner/divider and distribution network with the antenna onto the same substrate, eliminating the use of expensive miniature high frequency connectors.

Abstract: A method of implementing a combiner or divider network with compact layout design is proposed. A phased-array antenna comprises a plurality of antenna elements, a plurality of phase shifters, and a combiner and/or divider network. The phased-array antenna is capable of forming narrowly focused beams. The array of antenna elements is applied with a set of combined beam coefficients to steer the direction of the beam and to shape the beamwidth to a desired width. The combiner and/or divider network is implemented with a compact layout design, where each combiner or divider in the network is designed with a flexible terminal location to fit different circuits easily to reduce trace loss in the network and to reduce the overall layout size.

Abstract: A novel bi-directional vector modulator to be used as an active phase shifter is proposed. The advantages of the active phase shifter include: 1) Compact size—By active current combining technique, short transmission lines are used to perform signal combining rather than using area-consuming Wilkinson combiner or splitter; 2) High phase resolution and flexibility—phase interpolation can be performed by vector addition through m-path vector modulators; 3) High efficiency—no signal switch loss, only switched matching capacitor; 4) Simplified signal interconnection; 5) No passive combiner needed—eliminate large size and losses in the passive combiner); 6) Can have unequal combining and/or splitting by changing the gain of vector modulator, which is difficult to realize with passive combining and/or splitting network; and 7) Can combine different signals.

Abstract: A bi-directional active combiner and splitter using bi-directional variable gain amplifiers (BD_VGAs) is proposed. Advantages of the proposed bi-directional active combiner and splitter includes the following 1) compact size—for each BD_VGA, cascode transistor pair is small and the same matching network is used by the cascode transistor pair for both directions; 2) high efficiency—no switching loss in signal path, only switched matching; 3) reduced passive trace loss and power consumption—simplified signal interconnection; 4) active current combining—eliminates large size in the passive combiner; 5) high input-output isolation—cascode and neutralization; 6) precise gain control and unequal combining or splitting—changing the gain of the BD_VGA; and 7) phase-invariant amplifier design.

Abstract: A host processor controls an apparatus by updating all the phase shifter values of a phased array antenna by using “global write” to update these parameters to all phased-array transformation circuits simultaneously via a serial bus. Antenna elements, each controlled by a phased-array transformation circuit, are individually configured to transform phase and gain according to a register array. The register array has a local register group and a central register group, the local registers physically placed close in proximity to RF chains which each correspond to an element of array antenna, whereby each set of local registers control an individual antenna element and a central register controlling overall beam steering function. The apparatus is transformed by the host efficiently elaborating phase shift weights into a submodule of a phase array antenna system with low noise and bandwidth. The host triggers reuse of phase and gain when it can.

Abstract: A phased-array antenna panel has front end modules mounted on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). Several phased-array processing die, transform phase and gain according to a register array in an RFIC on the PCB. The register array are grouped into a local register group and a global register group. Each set of local registers control an individual antenna element and a global register group controls overall RFIC function. The apparatus elaborates phase shift weights into a submodule of a phased-array antenna system. Each submodule determines its own base phase shift weight per its unique location and configuration to accelerate antenna beam direction changes.

Abstract: A planar multi-layer assembly method fabricates a dual frequency, dual polarization phased-array antenna. A plurality of vias make up an array of double-walled wells which are connected to a ground plane. A shorted annular ring patch antenna (SARPA) is deposited at the top of each double-walled well. Fabricated coaxially and parallel to each SARPA, is an array of circular patch antennas (CPA). The inner wall of each double-walled well improves isolation of the CPA signals from the SARPA signals. Each SARPA of the array is connected to a pair of first frequency band signal vias and the CPA is coupled to a pair of second frequency band signal vias. Within each frequency band, a plurality of signal phases enable steerable polarized antenna beams.

Abstract: A system substantially updates all the phase shifter values of a phased array antenna by using two “global writes” to update these parameters to all phased-array transformation circuits simultaneously via a serial bus. Antenna elements, each controlled by a phased-array transformation circuit, are individually configured to transform phase and gain according to a register array. The register array has a local register group and a central register group, the local registers physically placed close in proximity to RF chains which each correspond to an element of array antenna, whereby each set of local registers control an individual antenna element and a central register controlling overall beam steering function. Gain values are hierarchically distributed. The apparatus is configured to efficiently elaborate phase shift weights into a submodule of a phase array antenna system with low noise and bandwidth.

Abstract: A gate bias circuit for a plurality of GaAs amplifier stages is a transistor coupled to a temperature compensation current received from a CMOS control stage. A plurality of pHEMPT amplifier stages are coupled to the gate bias circuit and to a control voltage which switches the amplifier stage. A selectively controlled stage pass transistor enables a current mirror between the gate bias circuit and each stage amplifying transistor. The penultimate pHEMPT amplifier stage is coupled to a CMOS amplifier. A CMOS circuit provides both the temperature compensation current by a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) circuit and the control voltage enabling each pHEMPT transistor to receive its input signal in combination with the gate bias voltage.

Abstract: A method of operation for a hierarchically elaborated phased-array antenna. Within a plurality of front end modules a phased-array processing die individually transforms phase and gain according to a register array. The register array in each RFIC is grouped into a local register group and a global register group, the local registers physically placed close in proximity to RF chains which each correspond to an element of array antenna, whereby each set of local registers control an individual antenna element and a global register controlling overall RFIC function. The method efficiently elaborates phase shift weights into a submodule of a phase array antenna system. Within each subarray phase control submodule the method recursively elaborates weights to control phase shifters. The method receives and transforms pairs of major operators and minor operators. The method distributes to each submodule determining its own base phase shift weight per its unique configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus consisting of hierarchically elaborated antenna modules is calibrated by steps. Although the AWV can be calculated mathematically based on the required phase shift values of each antenna element for a beam direction to compensate for signal delay. However, in practice, due to hardware implementation imperfection, coupling in signal path for each antenna element within hardware, inaccuracies of implementations, physical misalignment, the mathematically generated AWV does not necessarily provide alignment between transmit beam and receive beam. This subset is sufficient is all practical operation. The subset of AWVs are typically called codebook and the receiver beam points to different direction by using a AWV within the codebook.

Abstract: A planar multi-layer assembly method fabricates a dual frequency, dual polarization phased-array antenna. A plurality of vias make up an array of double-walled wells which are connected to a ground plane. A shorted annular ring patch antenna (SARPA) is deposited at the top of each double-walled well. Fabricated coaxially and parallel to each SARPA, is an array of circular patch antennas (CPA). The inner wall of each double-walled well improves isolation of the CPA signals from the SARPA signals. Each SARPA of the array is connected to a pair of first frequency band signal vias and the CPA is coupled to a pair of second frequency band signal vias. Within each frequency band, a plurality of signal phases enable steerable polarized antenna beams.

Abstract: An apparatus consisting of hierarchically elaborated antenna modules is calibrated by steps. Although the AWV can be calculated mathematically based on the required phase shift values of each antenna element for a beam direction to compensate for signal delay. However, in practice, due to hardware implementation imperfection, coupling in signal path for each antenna element within hardware, inaccuracies of implementations, physical misalignment, the mathematically generated AWV does not necessarily provide alignment between transmit beam and receive beam. This subset is sufficient is all practical operation. The subset of AWVs are typically called codebook and the receiver beam points to different direction by using a AWV within the codebook.

Abstract: An article of manufacture provides a compact assembly of power amplifiers in series and in parallel. A plurality of radial power splitters and radial power combiners couple surface mounted power amplifier dice into a power platter. Thermal conduction probes chained through the power platters remove heat from the vicinity of the power amplifier dice. Surface mounted power amplifier dice may be enclosed within a matched pair of power platters. Stackable power platters may be assembled to form a 3D power amplifier pile.