Microfabricated Broadband Connectors for Frequencies Above 100 GHz

The region of the electromagnetic spectrum from 100 GHz to 400 GHz is currently underutilized but an area of exciting promise. Although atmospheric attenuation is higher in this region, the high frequency enables higher bandwidth operation. Transmit and receive components are also small resulting in the potential for lightweight miniature systems. Sub-millimeter waves also have the unique ability to “see through” materials that are opaque at other wavelengths, allowing imaging through dust, walls, and clothing. There is currently a lack of connectors and adapters that operate at these frequencies which hinder effective test and measurement, slowing development and increasing system development costs. Nuvotronics will develop a new class of connectors and adapters for operation at these high frequencies based on our extensive background in microfabrication of devices at millimeter wave frequencies.