A broadband free-space millimeter-wave vector transmission measurement system

Abstract

We report both broadband monolithic transmitter and receiver IC's for mm-wave electromagnetic measurements. The IC's use a nonlinear transmission line (NLTL) and a sampling circuit as a picosecond pulse generator and detector. The pulses are radiated and received by planar monolithic bowtie antennas, collimated with silicon substrate lenses and offaxis parabolic reflectors. Through Fourier transformation of the received pulse, accurate 30-250 GHz free space gain-frequency and phase-frequency measurements are demonstrated. Systems design considerations are discussed, and a variety of nun-wave broadband transmission measurements are demonstrated.

Gas-absorption spectroscopy with electronic terahertz techniques

“…Thus, we analyzed system uncertainties versus frequency in a conventional sampling detector configuration [14]- [16]. We performed detailed measurements and analysis of the transmission coefficient uncertainty in a system with moderate performance, and found it to be 0.5 dB, (in the range of 0-200 GHz, similar to the 0.2-0.4 dB reported by Konishi et al [17], and the 0.2-0.3 dB of the DSI configuration), rising at 2 dB/100 GHz (in the range of 200-500 GHz).…”

A millimeter-wave six-port reflectometer based on the sampled-transmission line architecture

“…Over the past several years, a number of investigators have explored alternatives to the traditional four-port network analyzer based on the vector voltmeter [2], [4]- [6]. Much of this work has been motivated by the need to characterize new devices and components that are capable of operating far beyond W-band as well as to measure the properties of materials in the submillimeter-wave range.…”

Accuracy and Repeatability in Time Domain Network Analysis

“…At millimeter wavelengths, non-linear transmission line (NLTL) devices [4]- [5] may be used to generate a powerful, extremely wide-bandwidth stimulus at the probe-tip, in close contact with the device under test. This circumvents the problems of loss and repeatability associated with cabling at these frequencies.…”