Development of microwave/millimeter-wave antennas and passive components on multilayer liquid crystal polymer (LCP) technology

This thesis discusses the design and development of various prototype microwave and millimeter-wave components on multilayer liquid crystal polymer (LCP) technology. The fundamental objective of this work is to understand LCP's electrical performance up to millimeter-wave frequencies through the implementation of different prototype components and assess its suitability to function as a low-cost next-generation organic platform for 3-D system-on-a-package (SoP) based radio-frequency (RF) applications.; The first section of research focuses on the development of dual-polarization/dual-frequency patch antenna arrays on multilayer LCP technology. The design and fabrication methodology of the arrays using two different substrate configurations are presented. Measurements of scattering parameters and far-field radiation patterns are included together with efficiency calculations, illustrating the advantages of using LCP for antenna applications. The flexibility and mechanical stability of the multilayer substrate have been demonstrated, making the arrays suitable for space deployment in remote sensing applications. To achieve real-time polarization reconfigurability, micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) switches have been integrated with the developed antenna, arrays. The performance of these MEMS-integrated arrays are also presented.; Next, we report on the development of several prototype low-pass and band-pass filters on LCP covering a wide range of frequency bands to characterize the electrical performance of LCP in those frequency ranges. Compact, planar, and via-less low-pass filters have been designed using the image parameter method and realized using a semi-lumped approach. The design methodology is described. Full wave simulations validated with measurement results are presented. In addition, band-pass filters, designed using coupled resonator theory, have been implemented on both single and multilayer LCP technology. A wide variety of filters with different physical and functional characteristics have been developed. The developed filters can be classified based on the filter type (low-pass/band-pass), the resonators used (single-mode/dual-mode), the response characteristics (symmetric/asymmetric), and the structure of the filter (modular/non-modular).; Finally, examples of integrated systems operating in the X-band and V-band are presented. This part of the research involves the design and development of duplexers, radiating elements, and their integration. The duplexers themselves are realized by integrating a set of band-pass filters and matching networks. The synthesis and design techniques established in the earlier chapters were utilized for this purpose. The X-band system involves open-loop resonators, wide-slot antennas, and a 3-D stack-up, with emphasis on compactness. The V-band system involves open-loop resonators, and patch antennas, implemented on a single-layer technology, with emphasis on electrical performance. Characterization of the individual components, and of the integrated system are included.; This research has resulted in a thorough understanding of LCP's electrical performance and its multilayer lamination capabilities pertaining to its functioning as a material platform for integrated microwave systems. Novel prototype filters and radiating elements that can take advantage of such multilayer capabilities have been developed.