Shin, S H; Payapulli, R; Zhu, L; Stanley, M; Shang, X; Ridler, N M; Lucyszyn, S (2022) 3-D Printed Plug and Play Prototyping for Low-Cost Sub-THz Subsystems. IEEE Access, 10. pp. 41708-41719.

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Abstract

Polymer-based additive manufacturing using 3-D printing for upper-millimeter-wave (ca. 100 to 300 GHz) frequency applications is now emerging. Building on our previous work, with metal-pipe rectangular waveguides and free-space quasi-optical components, this paper brings the two media together at G-band (140 to 220 GHz), by demonstrating a compact multi-channel front-end subsystem. Here, the proof-of-concept demonstrator integrates eight different types of 3-D printed components (30 individual components in total). In addition, the housing for two test platforms and the subsystem are all 3-D printed as single pieces, to support plug and play development; offering effortless component assembly and alignment. We introduce bespoke free-space TRM calibration and measurement schemes with our quasi-optical test platforms. Equal power splitting plays a critical role in our multi-channel application. Here, we introduce a broadband 3-D printed quasi-optical beamsplitter for upper-millimeter-wave applications. Our quantitative and/or qualitative performance evaluations for individual components and the complete integrated subsystem, demonstrate the potential for using consumer-level desktop 3-D printing technologies at such high frequencies. This work opens-up new opportunities for low-cost, rapid prototyping and small-batch production of complete millimeter-wave front-end subsystems.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Additive manufacturing, 3-D printing, millimeter-wave, sub-THz, G-band, WR-5, WM-1295, quasi-optics, dielectric lens, beamsplitter
Subjects:	Electromagnetics > RF and Microwave
Divisions:	Electromagnetic & Electrochemical Technologies
Identification number/DOI:	10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3167437
Last Modified:	22 Feb 2023 15:06
URI:	https://eprintspublications.npl.co.uk/id/eprint/9665