Dielectric waveguide - A low-cost technology for millimetre wave integrated circuits

This paper describes the characteristics of two types of dielectric waveguide, the so-called insular and image guide configurations. The relevance of this technology to millimetre-wave integrated circuits is demonstrated and the design and performance of a number of dielectric waveguide components is described. A thick-film printing method for the mass production of dielectric waveguide circuits is also described and the feasibility of using this technique for the production of complete millimetre-wave integrated circuits is demonstrated.