Array antennas using low loss MEMS phase shifters

A line source of sixteen 5-bit MEMS phase shifters was used for beam scan of a novel X-band CTS (continuous transverse stubs) antenna over +/- 45 degrees in the H-plane. The 5-bit phase shifter has 1 dB loss on average over 6-10 GHz. The building block of these phase shifters is a cantilevered MEMS switch developed by HRL Laboratories. The metal-contact switch is characterized by 0.15 dB loss and 40 dB isolation at 10 GHz.