Phase shift module

A phase shift module is a microwave network module which provides a controllable phase shift of the RF signal. Phase shifters are used in phased arrays.

Classification

Active phase shifters provide gain, while passive phase shifters are lossy.

Active: Applications: active electronically scanned array (AESA), passive electronically scanned array (PESA) Gain: The phase shifter amplifies while phase shifting Noise figure (NF) Reciprocity: not reciprocal
Passive: Applications: active electronically scanned array (AESA), passive electronically scanned array (PESA) Loss: the phase shifter attenuates while phase shifting NF: NF = loss Reciprocity: reciprocal

Analog phase shifters provide a continuously variable phase shift or time delay.
Digital phase shifters provide a discrete set of phase shifts or time delays. Discretization leads to quantization errors. Digital phase shifters require parallel bus control.
Differential, single-ended or waveguide: Differential transmission line: A differential transmission line is a balanced two-conductor transmission line in which the phase difference between currents is 180 degrees. The differential mode is less susceptible to common mode noise and cross talk. Antenna selection: dipole, tapered slot antenna (TSA) Examples: coplanar strip, slotline
Single-ended transmission line: A single-ended transmission line is a two-conductor transmission line in which one conductor is referenced to a common ground, the second conductor. The single-ended mode is more susceptible to common-mode noise and cross talk. Antenna selection: double folded slot (DFS), microstrip, monopole Examples: CPW, microstrip, stripline
Waveguide Antenna selection: waveguide, horn

One-conductor or dielectric transmission line (optical fibre, finline, waveguide): Modal No TEM or quasi-TEM mode, not TTD or quasi-TTD Higher-order TE, TM, HE or HM modes are distorted
Two-conductor transmission line (CPW, microstrip, slotline, stripline): Differential or single-ended TEM or quasi-TEM mode is TTD or quasi-TTD
Phase shifters versus TTD phase shifter A phase shifter provides an invariable phase shift with frequency, and is used for fixed-beam frequency-invariant pattern synthesis. A TTD phase shifter provides an invariable time delay with frequency, and is used for squint-free and ultra wideband (UWB) beam steering.

Non semi-conducting (ferrite, ferro-electric, RF MEMS, liquid crystal): Passive
Semi-conducting (RF CMOS, GaAs. SiGe, InP, GaN or Sb): Active: BJT or FET transistor based MMICs, RFICs or optical ICs Passive: PIN diode based hybrids

Loaded-line: Distortion: Distorted if lumped Undistorted and TTD if distributed
Reflect-type: Applications: reflect arrays (S11 phase shifters) Distortion: Distorted if S21 phase shifter, because of 3 dB coupler Undistorted and TTD if S11 phase shifter
Switched-network Network: High-pass or low-pass π {\displaystyle \pi } or T Distortion: Undistorted if the left-handed high-pass sections cancel out the distortion of the right-handed low-pass sections
Switched-line Applications: UWB beam steering Distortion: undistorted and TTD
Vector summing

Number of effective bits, if digital [bit]
Biasing: current-driven, high-voltage electrostatic [mA, V]
DC power consumption [mW]
Distortion: group velocity dispersion (GVD) [ps2/nm]
Gain [dB] if active, loss [dB] if passive
Linearity: IP3, P1dB [dBm]
Phase shift / noise figure [°/dB] (phase shifter) or time delay / noise figure [ps/dB] (TTD phase shifter)
Power handling [mW, dBm]
Reliability [cycles, MTBF]
Size [mm2]
Switching time [ns]

, Microwaves101.com
information from Herley General Microwave
A low cost electro-mechanical phase shifter design, including a brief summary of solid state methods @ www.activefrance.com[dead link]