A novel E-plane technology for spaceborne mm-wave up and down converters

This paper describes the design of mmW up/down converters in E-plane configuration (fin line) using ceramic substrates soldered onto aluminium alloy waveguide structures. On the basis of the measured test results, it is demonstrated that the proposed design approach is very suitable for mm-wave applications both in terms of electrical and mechanical performances, offering good prospects of applicability as consequence of the high reliability of the technique.