Advanced Microwave Laminate Materials For The Improvement Of Efficiency And Reliability In Antennas And Feed Networks

By George Q. Kang, Helena Li Hai, John C. Frankosky, Michael T. Smith, Arlon Materials for Electronics, Inc.

Abstract- Demands for higher system efficiency and improved product reliability at higher powers and wider operating temperature ranges in mission-critical antennas and feed networks have placed heightened and unique requirements on board materials. To meet these challenges, advanced laminate materials need to possess high electrical phase stability, dielectric constant control, high thermal conductivity, and multilayer capability. This paper discusses the importance of critical material properties and explores new material developments for these applications.

INTRODUCTION
In mission-critical military and space RF/Microwave applications, such as space and military radars, phased array antennas (both passive and active electronically scanned), satellite antennas, missile seekers and guidance systems, system phase and frequency stability over temperature is very important, since these systems are expected to operate and maintain high performance over a wide range of operating temperature. A small drift of system operating frequency due to material dielectric change over temperature in critical frequency selective or sensitive components such as filters, oscillators, feed networks and antenna elements could cause a system to operate at lower efficiency or deviate from its designed performance.