An Error Tolerant MMIC Based Phase/Gain Control Module for Beam Forming Networks

A Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) based gain and phase control module for use in Beam Forming Networks (BFNs) is detailed. Gain and phase are digitally controlled with 25dB of gain control range, 360° phase control range, 5 bit resolution and net gain. The module uses numerical redundancy to achieve tolerance to bit weight errors and operates over the 10.7 - 12.75GHz satellite telecommunications band. Each module has a single RF input and dual outputs to control two elements of a BFN independently. The module contains a CMOS Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) which generates the digital control signals and allows compensation of gain with temperature. All level shifters to interface between the ASIC and the MMICs are also included as an integral part of the module