Mechanical Phase Shifter with Continuous Beam Scanning Across Broadside

This paper extends and consolidates previous work related with an all-metallic, low loss mechanical phase shifter implemented in gap-waveguide technology. The phase shifter is developed for Ka-band, to be used as part of a ground terminal for satellite-on-the-move communications. The device is formed by three levels. Levels 0 and 2 remain fixed whereas level 1 is rotatory. The rotation of level 1 does not increase the volume of the device in any case, and allows for the device to introduce a progressive phase shift between consecutive channels. This progressive phase shift provides beam steering capabilities to any array. Thanks to the arc-shaped and inverted-arc-shaped phase shifting waveguides, the device is able to provide continuous beam steering across the broadside point.