Scientific Microwave Corporation (SMC), a company that offers state-of-the-art technical expertise for the design, development, and production of passive microwave and millimeter-wave components and subsystems for military, space, and commercial applications, has developed the SMC-123284, a variable phase shifter that is designed to operate over a bandwidth of 0.2 GHz.
The SMC-123284 provides a phase shift from 0° to 360° with a resolution of 8-bits and this phase shift can be digitally-controlled using a hybrid coupler that consists of a movable short-circuit plate. This phase shifter consists of a DB15 connector interface that accepts an 8-bit codeword input and a trigger signal for providing the necessary phase shift. The below figure represents the phase variation and phase error as a function of motor steps.
Phase Variation and Phase Error vs. Motor Steps
This RoHS-compliant phase shifter can handle an average input power of 1.5 kW (CW) and a peak input power of 40 MW. It has an insertion loss of 0.3 dB and a VSWR of 1.15:1. This SMC-123284 requires an AC supply of 220 V and is TTL-compatible. It is available as a module that measures 45 inches in length and has CPR284F waveguide input/output flanges. The wide phase shift range of this device makes it ideal for high-power radar systems, phased array antennas, and satellite communications for precise phase control of the signal.
Click here to learn more about SMC's waveguide phase shifters on everything RF.
