How to select an RF Phase Shifter
RF Phase shifters are devices used to change the phase angle of an rf signal. Phase shifters ideally have a low insertion loss and an consistent amplitude across all phase states.
The key specifications to look for when looking for an rf or microwave phase shifters are:
Type: There are three main types of phase shifters:
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Analog Phase Shifters: These are usually voltage controlled devices, where a change in voltage regulates the phase shift.
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Digital Phase Shifters: The number of bits in the signal regulates the phase shift of digital phase shifters.
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Fixed Phase Shifters: These are loaded line phase shifters, that designed to operate at a specific frequency.
Phase Range (degrees): The phase range is the maximum phase shift the phase shifter can produce. The most common phase ranges are 90°, 180°, 270° and 360°.
Bits: In digital phase shifters the number of bits regulates the level of phase shifts. For example, an n bits will have 2n steps, i.e a 6 bit phase shifter will have 64 steps, each step being 5.625 degrees.
Frequency (MHz): This is the frequency range in which the phase shifters operate and are able to provide the required phase shifts with minimal losses.
Insertion Loss (dB): This is the loss in amplitude of the output signal after the phase shift. The lower the insertion loss, the better the performance of the microwave phase shifter.
everything RF lets you search for rf phase shifters by specification from multiple manufacturers. You no longer need to search through individual supplier websites or catalogs to find a phase shifter that meets your requirements.