Multilayer liquid crystal polymer based RF frontend module for millimeter wave imaging

In this paper we proposed an integrated RF front-end module by using multilayer liquid crystal polymer (LCP) substrates in millimeter wave frequency (mmW) range. The module consists of a linearly tapered slot antenna (LTSA), low noise amplifiers (LNA), as well as various passive components, including transmission lines, waveguides, filters, and their transitions. The active LNAs and their related bias circuits are integrated with RF circuits through wire-bonding process to achieve a gain of 12 dB centered at 94GHz. The fabricated devices are characterized and compared with simulated results, showing good agreement. The LTSA has a wide impedance bandwidth from 43 to 90 GHz and high radiation gain. The compact module holds tremendous promise in the high-performance applications, such as mmW imaging, and many other high density RF systems.