COUPLING STRUCTURE FOR SUSPENDED STRIPLINE TO NRD GUIDE FOR MILLIMETER WAVE APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Every guiding structure has its own unique properties. In microwave to exploit the advantages of these structure is important. Two such prominent transmission media are Nonradiative dielectric (NRD) guide and suspended stripline (SSL) for realizing millimeter wave integrated circuits. The low loss and low production cost are two main factors that make NRD guide suitable for wireless communication applications at millimeter wave frequencies. On the other hand, suspended stripline overcomes the disadvantage of having to maintain tight dimensional tolerances as in rectangular waveguide and incorporates the advantageous features of planar technology in the millimeter wave region. The circuits are compatible with beam lead and chip devices, thus offer potential for construction of passive and active millimeter wave integrated circuits. Furthermore, suspended stripline permits easy transition to standard rectangular waveguide and other planar and quasi-planar transmission lines. To utilize the inherent advantages of these two prominent millimeter wave integrated circuit technologies, it is necessary to develop a suitable transition between these two transmission media at desired frequency band.