30 April 2012

M/A-COM Tech launches C-band additions to family of digital phase shifters

M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc of Lowell, MA, USA (which makes semiconductors, components, and subassemblies for RF, microwave and millimeter-wave applications) has launched two new additions to its family of digital phase shifters for radar, communication, and electronic warfare (EW) applications, which are said to facilitate easy implementation in communication antennas, phased array radars, weather radars, and EW receivers.

The firm says that the 3.5-6.0GHz GaAs pHEMT 4-bit and 6-bit digital phase shifters meet the performance requirements of communications and radar system manufacturers, optimizing for fast switching speed, low phase error, and serial or parallel control capability.

“These new C-band phase shifters are designed for low and constant phase error over a wide frequency range,” says product manager Kevin Harrington. “The low-RMS phase noise error and options for 4-bit and 6-bit serial or parallel control provide our customers maximum flexibility,” he adds.

The MAPS-010145 is a 4-bit digital phase shifter housed in a 4mm 24-lead PQFN package. It provides 360° phase-shift range with a step size of 22.5°. Its insertion loss is 5.0dB, with a low ±1.0dB attenuation variation and ±2.5° phase accuracy over the 3.5-6.0GHz frequency range. RMS phase error is 3.0°.

The MAPS-010165 is a 6-bit digital phase shifter housed in a 4mm 24-lead PQFN package. It provides 360° phase shift range with a step size of 5.625°. Its insertion loss is 5.5dB, with a low ±0.8dB attenuation variation and ±5.2° phase accuracy over the 3.5-6.0GHz frequency range. RMS phase error is 4.0°.

For both devices, RMS attenuation error is 0.4dB. Each digital phase shifter can be controlled with a single +5.0V serial or parallel control line. Production quantities and samples are available from stock.

Tags: M/A-COM Tech Digital phase shifters

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