Analysis and Measurement of Tolerances in MMIC Active Phased Arrays

A sensitivity analysis using the Monte Carlo technique is performed on an active phased array that was designed and built to provide satellite coverage to a number of shaped spot beams operating at K -band. The allowable variations (tolerances) for the array coefficients are evaluated, using the spatial isolation between the beams as the main criterion. A statistical analysis is then performed on the fabricated MMIC circuits used to control the amplitudes and phases of the radiating elements. A correlation is drawn between the array´s sensitivity analysis and the measured circuit performance. The measured deviations in the circuit amplitude and phase performances fall within the limits allowed to satisfy the required beam-to-beam isolations.