Analysis and Measurement of Tolerances in MMIC Active Phased Arrays

A sensitivity analysis using the Monte Carlo technique is performed on an active phased array that was designed and built to provide satellite coverage to a number of shaped spot beams operating at K -band. The allowable variations (tolerances) for the array coefficients are evaluated, using the spatial isolation between the beams as the main criterion. A statistical analysis is then performed on the fabricated MMIC circuits used to control the amplitudes and phases of the radiating elements. A correlation is drawn between the array's sensitivity analysis and the measured circuit performance. The measured deviations in the circuit amplitude and phase performances fall within the limits allowed to satisfy the required beam-to-beam isolations.