A Simple Through-Hole Based Transformer between Microstrip Line and Post-Wall Waveguide for Millimeter-Wave Applications

We proposed a through-hole based transformer between microstrip line and post-wall waveguide (PWW). The transformer is based on a through-hole which is electrically separated from top and bottom broad walls of a waveguide by ring-shaped spaces. The proposed transformer shows a considerable merit compared with a conventional one based on blind-via in terms of fabrication and cost because it can be realized by through-holes in general printed-circuit-board technology. We selected liquid crystal polymer (LCP) as the material of substrates because of its lower dielectric loss and easy fabrication. The transformer was fabricated and measured. The loss associated with the mode conversion is estimated to be around 0.32 dB, and the bandwidth for a reflection smaller than -15 dB is 8 GHz, i.e., from 59 to 67 GHz.