An accurate characterization of open microstrip discontinuities including radiation losses

An accurate full-wave analysis of a variety of open microstrip discontinuities and circuit elements has been performed. The technique has been used to characterize microstrip corners, steps, and matching sections. A two-dimensional application of the method of moments is utilized to solve Pocklington´s integral equation in the space domain. The analysis accurately accounts for dispersion, space wave, and surface wave radiation. Scattering parameters are obtained for the circuit element or discontinuity by using transmission-line theory. Numerical results for the technique have demonstrated good agreement with the microwave software package Touchstone at lower frequencies.<>