LOW COST PACKAGING TECHNIQUES FOR MILLIMETRE-WAVE COMPONENTS.

The current interest in mm-wave systems for use in the frequency range 30-140 GHz, has led to a requirement for high performance, low cost mm-wave components. During the last few years the E-plane technique has been studied extensively at PRL. This technique has been shown to be a suitable technology for the manufacture of a range of components to operate in this frequency range. The subject of this investigation is an integrated 94 GHz FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) radar transceiver for use in a smart weapons application. This paper describes some work performed at PRL to study the use of metallized plastic for the housing. These could then be made by injection molding techniques which would be ideal for mass production.