Project Title:

Efficient Ka-Band Array Phase Shifter Employing Piezo-Electric Actuators

Microstar, Inc.
1393 Worth Court
Palm Bay, FL 32905

93-1  14.10   0208    __      AMOUNT REQUESTED $69,996.00

Efficient Ka-Band Array Phase Shifter Employing Piezo-Electric Actuators

Abstract:

Flat arrays for portable ground terminals and small satellites
operating at 20 GHz and 30 GHz require phase shifters for beam
steering and pointing such as for The Advanced Communications
Technology Satellite (ACTS). Portable terminals require steering or
tracking to compensate for vehicle or personnel back-pack motion
while communicating to a satellite. Conventional phase shifters
employing ferrite or pin diode type components demand relatively
high switching and holding currents as compared to the innovative
piezo-electric type laboratory prototyped and proposed.  Batteries
for portable terminals and small satellites are volume and weight
overhead support systems which will be substantially reduced in
power requirements using piezo-electric phase shifters in place of
the more conventional high power draining phase control devices.
Significant power savings with the Piezo-electric phase shifter as
compared to conventional types is projected, especially where high
array element quantities are involved. Continuous phase shifting is
possible as opposed to the discrete types which result in phase
step loss. The project result is the breadboard of a 2 element
steerable array using piezo-electric phase shifters. Scan Patterns
versus continuous phase shifter will be measured. The phase shifter
will be prototyped to the next level.

The results will demonstrate power efficiency and circuit
performance of the phase shifter for a flat steerable array for
portable terminals and small satellite users of the NASA's ACTS.
Although the 1.2 meter and 2.4 meter VSAT terminals are already
under development, this innovative phase shifter will allow beam
steering for portable terminals and small satellites which require
efficient power devices such as the piezo-electric phase shifter
proposed.

Piezo-electric, Phase Shifter, Bimorph, Steerable, Antenna Array,
Terminals, Ka-Band