Electronically reconfigurable phase shifter for reflectarray applications at microwave bands

Resumen

This contribution provides the design of a microwave phase shifter for active steerable reflectarray devices at microwave frequencies. The device is based on a 3dB hybrid coupler with three of its ports connected to reflective circuits. This reflective circuit is responsible of the phase variation by means of the use of an electrically controllable microwave varactor. More than 360° phase shifting is obtained with this device as the signal is conducted through the device towards the reflective circuits in three different stages. The input port of the device is also the output one, providing the desired phase shifting and the reflective effect. This device is of great interest in reflectarray applications in order to provide controllable phase shifting at each array element. The document includes the design of the different parts of the shifter along with the device design. Results, considerations and discussion are also provided in this work.