Design and fabrication of low-cost ferrite circulators

Advances in microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC) technology have resulted in a dramatic reduction in the size and cost of active microwave circuits over the past several years. There have been several factors which have contributed to this success, some of the principal ones being more accurate device and circuit models, efficient user-friendly design tools, improved manufacturing processes, cost-effective packaging and high-volume testing enhancements. Efforts have been recently initiated to address many of these same factors to reduce the cost and size of MMIC-compatible circulators. This paper will review recent related technical activities in the United States, much of it being conducted by members of the Ferrite Development Consortium which is sponsored in part by the Advanced Research Project Agency (ARPA). Design and fabrication of low-cost ferrite circulators Denis C Webb Naval Research Laboratory Washington, DC USA 20375-5320 Abstract Advances in microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC) technology have resulted in a dramatic reduction in the size and cost of active microwave circuits over the past several years. There have been several factors which have contributed to this success, some of the principal ones being more accurate device and circuit models, efficient user-friendly design tools, improved manufacturing processes, cost-effective packaging and high-volume testing enhancements. Efforts have been recently initiated to address many of these same factors to reduce the cost and size of MMIC-compatible circulators.