Development of V-band Integrated Front-Ends on Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) Technology

The development of integrated passive devices for V-band transceiver applications on low-lost liquid crystal polymer (LCP) technology is presented. Filters, matching networks, duplexers, and antenna arrays have been designed, implemented, and characterized. Measurement results for the individual components and for the integrated module are presented. The developed duplexer has an average passband insertion loss of -4 dB, while simultaneously exhibiting steep stopband attenuation to provide the necessary isolation between the two closely spaced transmit and receive channels. Slot-loaded patch antenna element and arrays have also been developed providing a low-profile solution, while still meeting the bandwidth specifications. The integrated module is compact, conformal, shows good matching and isolation characteristics, and is a good candidate for low-cost, short-range wireless applications.