Schematic Diagram of Phased Array Antenna

Beamforming chips, as core components of phased array antennas, play a decisive role in key metrics such as scanning precision and speed of phased array antennas. Recently, SDSX has launched China’s first four-channel (4 transmit and 4 receive) beamforming chip, model SX1006, based on domestic SOI process. The chip covers a working frequency range of 5–18 GHz. Each channel consists of a digital-controlled phase shifter, driver amplifier, digital-controlled attenuator, switch, power combiner (divider), and other modules, supporting 6-bit phase shifting and 6-bit attenuation. The chip provides load state and transmit/receive modulation outputs. It integrates an SPI interface, digital beam control circuit, temperature sensor, and over-temperature protection circuit. The transmit/receive switching time is less than 100 ns. The bare chip measures 4.20 mm × 6.82 mm and features radiation resistance, high precision, low power consumption, low cost, small size, ultra-wide bandwidth, and easy application. It is suitable for radar communication and other fields.

Chip Evaluation Board

This chip is manufactured based on domestic SOI process, breaking the long-term foreign monopoly in the manufacturing process of beamforming chips and laying a solid foundation for the independent and controllable development of phased array systems in China. It is also the first time that domestic SOI process has achieved full integration of RF, digital, and analog circuits in a large-scale integrated circuit, marking a milestone in the development of domestic SOI process. SDSX independently developed models based on this process, which were fully verified and validated. The first tape-out achieved all chip specifications. Currently, the chip has been officially mass-produced and delivered to customers.