Claire Laporte

New Wideband Miniature Branchline Coupler on IPD Technology for Beamforming Applications

In this paper, we present a new wideband miniature branchline coupler as a key circuit to be integrated in 60-GHz packaged beamforming networks for phased-array antennas. First, the integrated passive device (IPD) technology from STMicroelectronics is investigated in the mm-wave range through the simulation, fabrication, and measurements of a microstrip line and a simple hybrid coupler. Then, a novel coupler topology with emphasis on miniaturization and broadband operation is theorized. Analytical equations are derived and a 60-GHz coupler is optimized on IPD technology. Measurement results are discussed and compared with state-of-the art publications. The whole 57-66-GHz bandwidth is efficiently covered with the three following performance: -10-dB impedance matching, ±1-dB amplitude imbalance, and ±5° phase imbalance. As an application example, the novel coupler is integrated into a 4 × 4 Butler matrix suitable for an array-antenna demonstrating stateof-the art performance in terms of insertion loss and phase error. The measurement of different samples shows low variation of the IPD process because of very good reproducibility making it a suitable candidate for circuits operating in the 60-GHz band.

A 120 GHz 3D-printed plastic elliptical lens antenna with an IPD patch antenna source

In this paper, we investigate the performance of a 3D-printed plastic lens operating in the 120 GHz frequency band. An Integrated Passive Device module with built-in linearly polarized patch antenna is used as the source of the lens. The profile of the lens is based on elliptical shape. It is first optimized with Geometrical Optics (GO) and Physical Optics (PO) methods. Then, full-wave simulations are conducted to fine tune the overall antenna-structure. Using a lens height of 10 mm, the overall antenna has a simulated realized gain higher than 15 dBi from 120 GHz to 130 GHz. The lens and the patch antenna have just been manufactured and measurements will be presented in the final paper.

60 GHz patch antenna using IPD technology

In this paper, we present a high efficiency antenna for 60 GHz low-cost packaged modules. This antenna is fabricated using IPD™ technology which is flip-chipped on a PCB Taclamplus substrate. A microstrip line etched on this Taclamplus substrate from Taconic is directly coupled to the upper patch antenna fabricated in the IPD™ technology from ST Microelectronics. A -10dB bandwidth of 10 GHz is obtained centered on 60 GHz frequency.

Planar antennas on Integrated Passive Device technology for biomedical applications

In this paper, we present the design of electrically small antennas for biomedical application at 2.4 GHz. Performance of two different antennas built using the Integrated Passive Devices (IPD) technology from STMicroelectronics is investigated. Two monopoles miniaturized with the meandered technique are studied. Their quality factor Qz is calculated from their input impedance and compared with the quality factor limits for planar antennas given by Gustafsson. Therefore, we determine which configuration offers the best trade-off between radiation efficiency and quality factor Qz.

Design of a miniaturized Butler matrix in IPD process for 60 GHz switched-beam antenna arrays

In this paper, we present the design and realization of a miniaturized Butler matrix for 60 GHz applications. The matrix is realized using the IPD process from ST Microelectronics, Tours. Using new miniaturized branchline couplers and the IPD process, the Butler size is reduced by 90%. Simulation results show an insertion loss of 2.25 ± 0.95 dB and a maximum phase error of 10° in the whole 57-66 GHz band.

PCB Integration of a Vivaldi Antenna on IPD Technology for 60-GHz Communications

The integration of a Vivaldi antenna on a printed circuit board (PCB) targeting 60-GHz WiGig applications is presented in this letter. The integrated passive device (IPD)technology from STMicroelectronics based on a glass substrate is used for the antenna manufacturing. In free space, the radiation pattern measurements show a realized gain higher than 4 dBi in the endfire direction from 56 to 65 GHz. The impact of the integration of the antenna on the PCB is investigated in details showing reasonable disturbance of the reflection coefficient, but strong modifications of the radiation pattern, especially the pointing direction of the main beam. From the analysis of the surface waves propagating along the PCB when the Vivaldi is integrated, a novel topology is proposed to preserve the main radiation in the endfire direction with enhanced realized gain.

Hybrid lumped/distributed band-pass filter in IPD technology for ultra-wideband applications

This paper deals with the design of a fourth-order UWB (low frequency band) filter dedicated to the range 3.1 – 4.175 GHz. The topology under study is based on that of a hybrid band-pass filter with lumped components and distributed lines within a thin film made in IPD technology to meet the requirements of strong miniaturization. Moreover, the filter sensitivity and its fabrication cost had both to be low. To enhance the rejection at high frequencies, where the UWB electrical specifications are very drastic, the topology proposed here is that of a DBR filter with two coupled distributed lines. After its description, its sensitivity is analyzed to validate the topology. The experimental data produced by this filter designed in IPD technology are presented and discussed.