Design methodology for high‐performance low‐cost microstrip termination load for mmWave applications

Abstract

Abstract Millimetre wave (mmWave) has been a popular research topic in recent years. Termination loads are useful for RF components and integrated circuits. Commercially available terminators are expensive and not easily applicable for integration to MMICs. In this letter, a wideband, high‐performance, and cost‐effective microstrip termination load is proposed based on the combination of a printed monopole antenna and an absorber sheet. The results show an excellent matched termination between 20 and 67 GHz that can be used as integrated with microstrip lines in RF circuits and MMICs and as loaded dummy ports for test and measurements for mmWave applications. The proposed high‐quality termination is compact and cost‐effectively competitive with commercial products.

Keywords

• antennas and propagation
• dummy load
• microstrip termination
• microwave absorption
• millimetre waves
• MMIC