Design and analysis of a microwave large-range variable phase-shifter based on an injection-locked harmonic self-oscillating mixer

In this letter, a new microwave variable phase-shifter based on an injection-locked harmonic self-oscillating mixer, is presented for its application in an active microstrip phased antenna array. The circuit provides the double functionality of variable phase-shifter and down-converter. Maximum conversion gain is obtained, through the optimization of a new multi-harmonic load at the input-port of the circuit. The ranges of synchronized operation are analyzed versus the circuit parameters and the corresponding phase-shifts are calculated. The stability of the synchronized solutions is analyzed using the envelope transient simulation method. An 11.25-1.5-GHz down-converter with a 3.25-GHz free-running frequency has been designed, providing a phase-shift variation at intermediate frequency up to 540°, with a 4.5-dB conversion gain. A good agreement between the simulated and experimental results has been found.