Surface mount end-fire antenna package

A novel low-cost package concept is presented whereby an end-fire antenna module can be surface mounted such that it radiates in a direction normal to the backplane to which it mounts. The packaging method features the use of conducting castellations in the edge of the multilayer antenna module to form a very broad band transition. An example transition is described and measurements of a prototype presented. Applications to Vivaldi-type active antennas are presented.