Development of Novel Phase Shifterless RF Phase Array Antenna Systems

Coupled oscillator arrays provide electronic beam-steering for phased array antennas without the need for RF phase shifters. However, Defense systems require a large number of elements in the phased array antenna to generate antenna patterns with narrow beamwidth. This proposal outlines the simulation, fabrication, and testing of a one-dimensional coupled oscillator array in a 180nm SiGe BiCMOS process with as many as sixteen individual oscillators on a single chip. At this point in time, sixteen element arrays of coupled oscillators have not been demonstrated in silicon integrated circuits. This proposal recognizes several implementation challenges to wide angle beam steering using coupled oscillators including managing oscillator mismatches, demonstrating low oscillator phase noise, and avoiding undesirable oscillator coupling through the substrate and packaging. Therefore, our approach will develop analytical tools for the circuit level simulation of the integrated oscillator and the development of behavioral models which link the Van der Pol dynamics of the oscillator to the performance of the integrated circuits. Co-design between the oscillator behavioral models and integrated circuit simulations will provide a high degree of accuracy in predicting the beam-steering performance of the proof-of-concept coupled oscillator array.