What a phase shifter does
A phase shifter adjusts the phase of an RF signal without changing its amplitude. It is the fundamental building block of phased-array antennas and beamforming networks.
How they are used
- Electronically steer an antenna beam without moving parts.
- Align signal paths in feed networks.
- Enable vector modulation in modern transceivers.
Types
- Analog phase shifters — continuous control over a range.
- Digital phase shifters — stepped control in fixed increments.
- MEMS phase shifters and switched-line variants — low loss with fast switching.
Key specs
- Phase range and resolution.
- Insertion loss and amplitude variation across states.
- Switching speed and power handling.
- Phase accuracy versus frequency.
Practical note
For phased arrays, phase error translates directly into beam pointing error and sidelobe degradation. Browse our phase shifters with RMS phase error as the key figure of merit.