Reconfigurable RF MEMS Phased Array Antenna Integrated Within a Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) System-on-Package

For the first time, a fully integrated phased array antenna with radio frequency microelectromechanical systems (RF MEMS) switches on a flexible, organic substrate is demonstrated above 10 GHz. A low noise amplifier (LNA), MEMS phase shifter, and 2 times 2 patch antenna array are integrated into a system-on-package (SOP) on a liquid crystal polymer substrate. Two antenna arrays are compared; one implemented using a single-layer SOP and the second with a multilayer SOP. Both implementations are low-loss and capable of 12deg of beam steering. The design frequency is 14 GHz and the measured return loss is greater than 12 dB for both implementations. The use of an LNA allows for a much higher radiated power level. These antennas can be customized to meet almost any size, frequency, and performance needed. This research furthers the state-of-the-art for organic SOP devices.