A 60 GHz integrated E-plane RF subsystem for low cost communications applications

There is a potentially large market for wideband millimetre wave radio systems for applications such as local area communications, multichannel TV distribution, microcellular networks, industrial and intra-office communications and cordless data links. Whilst millimetre-wave monolithic (M³IC) technology may ultimately fulfil the RF hardware requirement, this paper describes an integrated V-band (50-75 GHz) RF subsystem realised in E-plane technology which can be used to demonstrate the above applications whilst offering a potentially low cost solution. The unit employs a split housing construction to accommodate E-plane components allowing the required waveguide channels to be machined in a mass producible manner. In the same housing is a novel E-plane compatible Gunn diode oscillator. This integrated unit was then evaluated in an intra office environment