Straight multimode interference phased array structure using periodic segmented waveguide phase array.

A new design of a multimode interference (MMI) phased array structure is proposed. This design is based on replacing the arrayed delay arms between the first MMI power splitter and the second MMI combiner by periodic segmented waveguides. This allows a straight structure without curved waveguides and thus reduces greatly the size of the structure. A design example of an 8 channel multiplexer is presented showing a size reduction by a factor of 23 when compared with conventional design, while keeping nearly the same performance.