Nonreciprocal-Beam Phased-Array Antennas Based on Transistor-Loaded Phase Shifters

Abstract

This study presents a nonreciprocal-beam phased-array antenna constituted of phase-gradient patch radiators integrated with transistor-based nonreciprocal phase shifters. Such an antenna exhibits different beams for transmission and reception states. The proposed phased-array antenna provides power amplification for both transmission and reception states, which is of paramount importance in most practical applications. In addition, in contrast to the recently proposed time-modulated antennas, the proposed nonreciprocal-beam phased-array antenna introduces no undesired time harmonics and unwanted frequency conversion, which requires no radio frequency bias signal. Furthermore, the nonreciprocal phased-array antenna is lightweight and is amenable to integrated circuit fabrication. The transmission and reception beam angles, the beam shapes, and the power amplification level may be easily tuned by changing the direct current (dc) bias of the transistors and phase of the passive phase shifters. Such a nonreciprocal-beam phased-array antenna is expected to find military and commercial applications.