Design and Analysis of EBG Based Integrated Waveguide Structures for Microwave and MM-Wave Feed Networks

Traditional planar transmission lines (e.g. microstrip lines) require thinner substrates at higher frequencies, resulting in narrow metal strips. Consequently the electric current is confined to a smaller volume and losses increase in these structures. Wave-guiding structures that are based on parallel plate waveguides with periodic side walls constructed of either metallic or dielectric posts can enlarge the current carrying volume and thus reduce losses. Using an element-by-element method we demonstrate that in dielectric post-wall waveguides the propagation of the TE10 mode is dominant just as in metallic post-wall waveguides. The losses in both types of waveguides are of comparable order if a proper geometry is chosen.