Technology for a 29 GHz Local Distribution Radio

A microwave link equipment for the 27.5-29.5 GHz frequency band is being developed by British Telecom for use in the Local Network. To keep the equipment cost compatible with single subscriber service microwave integrated circuit techniques are exploited. Narrowband filters at 29 GHz have been produced with good reproducibility using chemical milling. Evaluation of Ba2 Ti9 020 dielectric resonators as a means of frequency control for Gunn oscillators is reported showing good agreement between measured and theoretical resonant frequency. Initial work on a digital phase modulator is also described.