Wideband Operation of Amplifying Array Using Tunable Phase Shifters

In this letter, a new amplifying array, enabling spatial power combining over a broad bandwidth of 40%, is proposed and discussed for wideband operation. The new design is realized by integrating the tunable phase shifters with an array consisting of weakly coupled directional couplers, gain amplifiers, and modified quasi-Yagi antennas. A five-element array is fabricated and experimentally verified as a demonstration. The measured radiation patterns clearly indicate that the proposed array consistently serves as a spatial power combiner from 1.6 to 2.4 GHz, with the measured peak gain around 13-14 dBi.