Low-loss aperture-coupled planar antenna for microwave applications

摘要

A planar antenna for microwave applications includes a supporting structure that is made using standard LTCC (low temperature co- fired ceramics) multi-layer techniques and a polyimide tape containing an adhesive at one side which is adheringly attached to the supporting structure. The body of the supporting structure defines a transmission line substrate and several of the intermediate layers define a path for microwave energy to be coupled from the transmission line substrate to the antenna. The method includes adhering the tape to the supporting structure, cutting the tape to size, and baking the tape and supporting structure in an oven at about 180° C. for about 4 hours to rigidify the tape. The obtained antenna is thus protected against substrate effects such as TM mode zero cut-off frequencies.