GXSC Beamformer Replaces ADAR1000 for High-Integration Beamforming Front-End Solutions in Phased Array Systems

In modern satellite communications, 5G millimeter-wave systems, and radar applications, beamforming technology has become a key technique for enhancing signal coverage, improving signal-to-noise ratio, and achieving spatial multiplexing. Traditional discrete amplitude-phase control solutions suffer from issues such as complex design, large size, and high power consumption, making them unable to meet current demands for high performance and miniaturization. The highly integrated 4-channel X/Ku-band beamforming chip (GXSC) demonstrates outstanding performance and engineering value in satellite communications and phased-array radar systems.

The chip incorporates 4 receiving channels and 4 transmitting channels, along with corresponding power distribution (transmit) and combining networks (receive), integrating amplitude and phase control circuits for each channel. It supports a frequency range of 8GHz to 16GHz, applicable for both transmit and receive operation modes, utilizing a half-duplex mechanism with single-pin switching control. The chip provides a gain adjustment dynamic range of ≥31dB in the RF path and full 360° phase adjustment capability, featuring a gain resolution of ≤0.5dB and a phase resolution better than 2.8°, meeting high-precision beam steering control requirements.

The GXSC beamformer is based on an autonomous forward design architecture, supporting power modulation, temperature sensing, power detection, beam storage, and more. The RF ports are left-right symmetric, with single-port control for transmit-receive switching. It adopts the standard SPI beam control protocol. The device can be provided in either bare die or packaged chip form, catering to diverse application scenarios. Bare dies are suitable for applications such as COB, custom packaging, microassembly, and miniaturized SIP; while packaged chips are ideal for mass-scale mounting, facilitating reduced microassembly complexity and enabling rapid array verification for system performance.

The advantages of the GXSC beamformer product are as follows:

1. RF operating bandwidth: Ultra-wideband 5~18GHz

2. CMOS process, mass production at low cost

3. Excellent RF Performance: Superior receive/transmit gain flatness, high output power, and high precision in amplitude and phase control

4. Multi-function/High Integration: Integrates five-channel power modulation (supports PA gate control PA_VG, PA drain control PA_VD, LNA drain control LNA_VD, switch control SW, attenuator ATT, delay PHS, etc.), facilitating control and driving compatible compound chips. Features integrated temperature sensors; built-in temperature compensation function for minimal performance variation under high and low temperatures; integrated quantized ADC; built-in power detection function for convenient external RF signal monitoring; integrated beam storage function for easy beam switching; and a complete beam control logic suitable for various amplitude-phase switching, channel control, and auxiliary function control.

5. The small chip size facilitates miniaturized design

GXSC Beamformer Performance Specifications:

Operating range of 5~18 GHz

Time Division Half-Duplex (TD-HD)

4T4R RF channel with integrated duplexer/combiner network

360° range phase control / 7-bit / LSB = 2.8°

31.5 dB range amplitude control / 6-bit / LSB = 0.5 dB