Phasetrum has introduced what it claims to be the world’s first scalable Antenna-in-package (AIP) Phase Tuner to provide Ka-band signal amplification and phase adjustment. Based on Phasetrum's own antenna in package technology and CMOS low noise amplifier, this solution has a very low noise figure (1 dB). The low loss and low power consumption of the signal amplification units (PA, LNA) lead to better G/T and EIRP of the whole antenna. Combined with a CMOS phase difference type phase tuner developed by Phasetrum, the 16-antenna array can deliver a signal gain of 50 dB. The high gain of the signal transmission network helps antenna designers use fewer antenna arrays and smaller amplifiers to design a smaller, lighter, bandwidth-wider satellite user terminal.
The Scalable Antenna in Package (AIP) integrates 4 antennas in the package with 4 signal amplification devices to provide a phased array solution with a scalable design unit that removes the complexity of thousands of antenna and signal amplification circuits in legacy printed PCB phase array antennas, reduces the main PCB from 14 layers to 6 layers and further improves the production yield rate. It also supports the flexibility to select circular and linear polarization without sacrificing the legacy beamformer channels.
Leveraging Phasetrum's entirely new patented architecture, the phase difference type Phase Tuner adjusts phase difference and combines the whole antenna array in each stage of the signal branch instead of adjusting phase and compensating gain in the final stage like in legacy phased array antennas. This enables the antenna designer to remove the Power Divider Network (PDN) to implement a phased array antenna, and adds a gain of 3 dB per stage of the signal branch, for example, it will add 30 dB after 10 stages. Building a 10 dB antenna in a 32x32 array with an area smaller than 20 x 20 cm saves 65% more area than other antennas, reduces power consumption by 50% and makes the Ka-band phase array antenna feasible. Furthermore, the phase difference type Phase Tuner also supports dual beams to access different satellites respectively to achieve the Make-Before-Break feature.
With its own RFIC design and calibration technology, the world’s first antenna fabrication and signal transmission network, together with its technology leadership in phase array and beamforming, Phasetrum's new phase array solution makes it possible for customers to launch a user terminal communication module for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, 6G base stations and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) applications.
“The emergence of LEO satellite and UAV has resulted in significant demand not only for satellite communication and communication resilience but also for Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) and production feasibility for phased array antenna,” said Zuo-Min Tsai, Co-founder at Phasetrum. “We manage mmWave RF signal from chip to board. Integration of RF chip and fabrication technology allows Phasetrum to deliver the most flexible and feasible phase array solution.”
Phasetrum's phased array is a complete solution from design to production that comes with all the required technology including scalable AIP, phase difference type Phase Tuner, RF Up/Down converter and On-Wafer Near Field chip antenna measurement tool, to meet customers' versatile needs.
For Satellite 2024 held in Washington DC from Mar.19~21 2024, multiple Taiwan organizations including the Industrial Development Administration (IDB), Taiwan Space Agency (TASA), Industry Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Taiwan Space Industry Development Association (TSIDA) and Taiwan Low Earth Orbit Satellite Industry Alliance (TLEOSIA) cooperated to invite Taiwan vendors for the exhibition to facilitate satellite communication technology and build up the Taiwan space industry. Phasetrum was also a partner attending this extraordinary event and got plenty of valuable feedback from equipment manufacturers, satellite operators and RF device developers.
“Phasetrum Scalable AIP is on the right track.” said one global chip testing vendor exhibitor.
“Phasetrum phase difference array solution can reduce required antenna area drastically and make communication module on vehicles versatile and feasible.” said one US satellite operator exhibitor.
“We cannot find a better phase array solution to support high frequency and wideband, Phasetrum phase difference type Phase Tuner is exactly the solution we are looking for.” said one RF device developer exhibitor.
Phase Tuner Advantage
- High Gain before Antenna, 16 arrays reach 62 dB before the antenna
- Power Saving 50%, no PDN
- Wideband PA/LNA capable, can support Ka/V band at same time
- True Dual Beam, no need to reduce beamformer channels
- 360° phase control with 0.1° resolution
Beamformers vs Phase Tuners
AIP Advantage
- Integrate PA/LNA with Antenna in Package
- Remove Phase control to simplify the design circuit
- Per AIP sorting guaranteed yield rate
- 25 dBm CMOS AIP-Tx per array
- NF<1 dB, 40 dB gain in CMOS AIP-Rx
- Can work with legacy beamformers
- Can select linear/circular polarization flexibly
Click here to learn more about Phasetrum. They showcased this product at the at Satellite 2024 show in Washington DC last month.
Click here to see everything RF's coverage of the Satellite 2024 Show.
