A compact beamforming matrix module for use in multibeam communication satellites

A 16/spl times/4 beamformer has been designed, fabricated and tested. It provides 6 bits of phase shift and 8 bits of attenuation in 64 paths in a single multichip module (MCM) for use in multibeam antenna systems. It can be operated with 16 beams and 4 radiating elements or 4 beams and 16 radiating elements. The MCM is fabricated using the Lockheed Martin/GE high-density interconnect (HDI) technology to interconnect 16 multifunction MMICs and digital control circuits. The HDI technology is used to fabricate 42 Wilkinson dividers with greater than 40% bandwidth on the same layers as the stripline interconnects. The resulting beam former matrix module (BFMM) is approximately 63/spl times/41/spl times/1.3 mm (3.5 cm/sup 3/) and weighs 7 grams.