LTCC based Ka-Band Diplexer for Miniaturized Ground-Segment User Terminals

This paper describes a novel approach for the design of SMD-compliant planar Ka-band diplexer employing LTCC manufacturing process. The integrated device offers a good trade-off between reduced volume and electric performance. Air-filled resonant cavities are fabricated within ceramic substrate to magnify the achievable Q-factor. The mentioned diplexer could replace bulky metal cavity filters in multi-band ground terminals for satellite communications. Fundamental mode TE 101 resonant cavities and ridge structures are built exploiting novel fabrication concepts in LTCC technology. The designed component tailors the Ka-band 19.7-21.2 GHz (Rx) and 29.5-31 GHz (Tx) operative bandwidths. The device has been manufactured and experimentally validated.