A 90–140 GHz, High Power Frequency Source Packaged in a Self-Aligned Waveguide Module

This paper presents a solution for packaging monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) using commercially available liquid crystal polymer (LCP) substrate print circuit board. This package solution comprises of a novel self-aligned microstrip-to-waveguide transition design. For demonstration, an active frequency multiplier-by three MMIC at F-band (90–140 GHz) is packaged into a split-block waveguide module and tested. The circuit is implemented in a 250-nm InP double-heterostructure bipolar transistor technology with ft/fmax 350/650 GHz, respectively. The tripler module has measured output power of 10.6 dBm and a 3-dB output bandwidth of 36.3%, (90–130 GHz). Total power consumption is 156 mW at 2-dBm input power.