A
phased array antenna is provided having a plurality of phase shifter devices for phase shifting and
beam steering a radiated beam of the
phased array antenna. The plurality of phase shifter devices are interconnected with an interconnect structure comprising a plurality of
linear array substrate slats. Each
linear array substrate slat includes a plurality of radiating elements formed using first and second
metal layers of the substrate slat, a plurality of phase shifter devices and a common RF feed conductor for the plurality of radiating elements. The common RF feed conductor is formed on a third
metal layer of the substrate slat that is disposed between the first and second
metal layers. The common RF feed conductor is configured to include a single location for electrical connections to receive RF signals for the plurality of radiating elements. The
phased array antenna also includes bias / control conductors applied to selected areas of the third metal layer, a fourth metal layer applied over the second metal layer and a shielding metal layer applied on the fourth metal layer. The bias / control conductors are configured to include a single location for electrical connections to receive bias voltages and control signals. The fourth metal layer includes circuit connections from the bias / control circuitry to the plurality of phase shifter devices. Each phase shifter device is attached to a
radiating element via a mounting location on the shielding metal layer. Accordingly, a phased array antenna interconnect structure is provided that reduces the number of electrical connections required to provide RF signals and bias / control signals to multiple radiating elements and phase shifters, respectively, of the phased array antenna and provides a cost effective phased array antenna architecture that has a
single locus of
electrical connection for RF and bias control signals embedded in a multi-layer
linear array or slat substrate of the phased array antenna.