An active antenna array based on frequency shiftable vector modulator module

In this paper, a 1×8 active antenna array based on frequency shiftable vector modulator (FSVM) module is demonstrated. The FSVM module can flexibly shift the operating frequency band of the vector modulator (VM) while not deteriorating the signal performance. By employing the FSVM module, a 1×8 active antenna array with a RF path beamforming structure is developed. Since the magnitude and phase of the RF signal in each transceiver can be adjusted independently through the FSVM module, the radiation pattern of the array is controllable. For the verification of the proposed active antenna array, a prototype operating at 2.6 GHz band is fabricated and measured. Measured results show that the RF signal performance almost remains the same before and after entering the FSVM module. Furthermore, the active antenna array is capable of steering the main beam from -50° to 50° with a gain fluctuation less than 1.5 dB and a beam position error better than 0.5°.