The purpose of this work is to investigate methods for implementing millimeter wave wireless data communication systems. In particular, systems for transmitting digital video on demand are well suited for millimeter wave applications since they require large bandwidths for data traffic. Two separate types of systems are considered. The first type is a more traditional network of base station type nodes. The advantage of using millimeter waves (W-band) for this approach is that expensive, unsightly base station towers are not necessary to support the transceiver hardware since the hardware is compact and lightweight.; The second system design consisted of a millimeter wave transponder. This system is well suited to a wireless network with mobile nodes, such as end users who are moving at moderate speeds. The users need to continuously update the transmitter with their position. This is accomplished with a retrodirective signal. To generate a retrodirective signal, phase conjugation is used to invert the phase gradient of the incoming transmitted wave.; The retrodirective transponder also contained a receiver to demodulate baseband data from the transmitter. In order to minimize the cost of the receiver, baseband detection was accomplished using the self-heterodyne method of detection. The self-heterodyne detection was performed in the IF band, with no adverse effects on the phase noise cancelling property of the detection method. In order to perform the down and up conversions between the RF and IF bands, a custom subharmonic mixer was designed. These factors combine to assure that the receiver remains low-cost, even though it operates at a millimeter wave frequency. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
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