Programmable Active Mirror: A Scalable Decentralized Router

This work proposes and demonstrates the scalable router array that eliminates internal centralization of conventional arrays, unlocking scalability, potential for a system composed spatially separated elements do not share common timing reference. Architectural variations are presented, their specific tradeoffs discussed. The general operation, steering capabilities, signal noise considerations, control advantages evaluated through analysis, simulation, measurements. An element-level CMOS radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) is developed used to demonstrate four-element 25 GHz prototype router. RFIC’s programmable true time delay (TTD) correct path-length-difference-induced intersymbol interference (ISI) improve rerouted 270-Mb/s 64-QAM constellation from completely scrambled state an EVM 4% rms (−28 dB). router’s concurrent dual-beam capabilities demonstrated by simultaneously two full power beams at 24.9 in different directions free-space electromagnetic setup.