Receiving Phased Antenna Array Based on Injection-Locked Harmonic Self-Oscillating Mixers

A 4 times 1 element receiving phased antenna array is presented with phase-shifter elements based on injection-locked harmonic self-oscillating mixers. Each phase-shifter element provides the double functionality of variable phase-shifter and down-converter. The phase-shifts applied to the input signals coming from the different antenna patch elements can be selected by dc control signals in a continuous range of 450deg. The required dc control voltages are calculated for the different incident angles by means of harmonic balance simulations. The influences of phase-shift and conversion gain errors on the beam-steering frequency performance of the antenna are studied. Also illustrated is how the phase-shifter parameters can be optimized in order to minimize the frequency scanning. A 4 times 1 element receiving phased antenna array, with an input frequency band centered at 11.25 GHz and the output frequency band centered at 1.5 GHz, has been manufactured for the experimental validation of the simulated results. A beam scanning range from -23deg to 23deg has been experimentally obtained.