A planer probe double ladder waveguide for power combining and dividing

Abstract

This thesis presents an initial investigation of a planar probe double ladder power combiner / divider. The structure is analogous to the coaxial double ladder of Sanada, Fukui and Nogi.. The planar probe structure utilizes a series of planar transmission lines and probes to inject or receive power which is combined or divided inside a rectangular waveguide cavity. The structure was developed in a manner for its eventual implementation at W-band (75.0-110.0 GHz) frequencies and above using proven micromachining techniques. A combination of analytical modeling, transmission line analysis and full wave simulations are used to design a four-way power combiner / divider for operation in R-band (1.7-2.6 GHz). The structure was realized using classical machining and exhibited a .15 dB return loss of 23% and a 0.5 dB return loss (with respect to the standard .6 dB level of a 4-way divider) of 26%. The results of this research lay the foundation for a broad-based examination of micromachined power combining / dividing structures for millimeter and submillimeter wave applications.