Polymer-based 3-D printed 140 to 220 GHz metal waveguide thru lines, twist and filters
File(s)2023_04_IEEE_Access.pdf (7.91 MB)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
This paper demonstrates the current state-of-the-art in low-cost, low loss ruggedized polymer-based 3-D printed G-band (140 to 220 GHz) metal-pipe rectangular waveguide (MPRWG) components. From a unique and exhaustive up-to-date literature review, the main limitations for G-band split-block MPRWGs are identified as electromagnetic (EM) radiation leakage, assembly part alignment and manufacturing accuracy. To mitigate against leakage and misalignment, we investigate a ‘trough-and-lid’ split-block solution. This approach is successfully employed in proof-of-concept thru lines, and in the first polymer-based 3-D printed 90° twist and symmetrical diaphragm inductive iris-coupled bandpass filters (BPFs) operating above 110 GHz. An inexpensive desktop masked stereolithography apparatus 3-D printer and a commercial copper electroplating service are used. Surface roughness losses are calculated and applied to EM (re-)simulations, using two modifications of the Hemispherical model. The 7.4 mm thru line exhibits a measured average dissipative attenuation of only 12.7 dB/m, with rectangular-to-trapezoidal cross-sectional distortion being the main contributor to loss. The 90° twist exhibits commensurate measured performance to its commercial counterpart, despite the much lower manufacturing costs. A detailed time-domain reflectometry analysis of flange quality for the thru lines and 90° twists has also been included. Finally, a new systematic iris corner rounding compensation technique, to correct passband frequency down-shifting is applied to two BPFs. Here, the 175 GHz exemplar exhibits only 0.5% center frequency up-shifting. The trough-and-lid assembly is now a viable solution for new upper-mm-wave MPRWG components. With this technology becoming less expensive and more accurate, higher frequencies and/or more demanding specifications can be implemented.
Date Issued
2023-04-04
Date Acceptance
2023-03-21
Citation
IEEE Access, 2023, 11, pp.32272-32295
ISSN
2169-3536
Publisher
IEEE
Start Page
32272
End Page
32295
Journal / Book Title
IEEE Access
Volume
11
Copyright Statement
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. For more information, see https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
License URL
Identifier
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10078872
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
Access-2023-01323
Date Publish Online
2023-03-23