Millimeter-Wave Launcher-in-Package Concept for Car Radar Applications

• Published in: IEEE microwave and wireless technology letters (Print) Vol. 33; no. 8; pp. 1 - 0
• Main Authors: Tapia, V., Molina, R., Geluk, S. J., Carluccio, G., Syed, W., de Graauw, A., de Hon, B. P., Smolders, A. B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Piscataway IEEE 01.08.2023; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Antenna transitions; antenna-in-package; Automobiles; car radar; Frequencies; Insertion loss; Integrated circuits; launcher-in-package (LiP); Launchers; Metals; Millimeter waves; mm-wave integrated circuit (IC) package; Radar antennas; Radar applications; Radar equipment; Simulation; waveguide launcher; Waveguide transitions; Waveguides
• ISSN: 2771-957X; 2771-9588
• DOI: 10.1109/LMWT.2023.3281634

Transitions from a millimeter-wave integrated circuit (IC) to waveguides tend to have high losses and are difficult to realize in high-volume manufacturing processes. Based on the requirements of car radar systems, we introduce a low-loss and very compact launcher-in-package (LiP) concept, in which a direct transition from the IC is realized. The optimized design of the complete transition shows a simulated insertion loss below 1 dB and channel isolation higher than 40 dB over a fractional bandwidth of more than 20% in the frequency band of interest. A demonstrator was manufactured and characterized. Measurements of the demonstrator confirm our approach and accuracy of our models. Using low-loss materials, an insertion loss below 1 dB, and interchannel isolation better than 30 dB over the 76-81 GHz band can be achieved.