On the Split-Block Realization of Millimeter-Wave Ridge Waveguide Components

A method to reduce RF leakage in split-block fabricated metallic ridged waveguide is presented. By placing a pin wall into the split-block seam, RF leakage and detrimental performance spikes are significantly reduced. Three different split-block double-ridge waveguide components of varying design complexity operating over 18-45-GHz bandwidth are fabricated and measured. It is shown that the addition of the pin wall improves the performance of each component such that results correlate well to simulated models with no split.