This thesis addresses the design and implementation of an optically-controlled phase shifter. The phase shifter application is phased array antennas, and the frequency range of interest is X-band (8-12 GHz). The maximum transmitting power is 1 Watt per array element. The 3-bit design with a total range of 180 degrees is implemented as a switched-line microstrip circuit with MMIC SPDT switches. The switch is designed to operate at around 10 GHz. The control of the switch states is accomplished with pulsed optical power. The output of a 1300 nm laser diode is coupled into a photo-detector and thereby switches the outputs of a di\textregisterederential pair amplifier.     «

This thesis addresses the design and implementation of an optically-controlled phase shifter. The phase shifter application is phased array antennas, and the frequency range of interest is X-band (8-12 GHz). The maximum transmitting power is 1 Watt per array element. The 3-bit design with a total range of 180 degrees is implemented as a switched-line microstrip circuit with MMIC SPDT switches. The switch is designed to operate at around 10 GHz. The control of the switch states is accomplished wi...     »