Patent attributes
Phased-array antenna systems can be constructed using transfer printed active components. Phased-array antenna systems benefit from a large number of radiating elements (e.g., more radiating elements can form sharper, narrower beams (higher gain)). As the number of radiating elements increases, the size of the part and the cost of assembly increases. High throughput micro assembly (e.g. by micro-transfer printing) mitigates costs associated with high part-count. Micro assembly is advantaged over monolithic approaches that form multiple radiating elements on a semiconductor wafer because micro assembly uses less semiconductor material to provide the active components that are necessary for the array. The density of active components on the phased-array antenna system is small. Micro assembly provides a way to efficiently use semiconductor material on a phased array, reducing the amount of non-active semiconductor area (e.g., the area on the semiconductor material that does not include transistors, diodes, or other active components).
