Development of 20 and 30 Ghz MMICS intended for personal communications, phased array antenna systems

Future satellite based, personal communications systems operating in the 20/30 GHz frequency range will require small and reliable RF components capable of being manufactured in large quantities. Suitcase sized terminals are expected to be available and phased array antennas appear to be an attractive way of realizing the necessary planar antenna configuration. Integrated circuit technologies such as MMICs have the size, quantity and performance characteristics required for the RF electronics but new approaches to integrated packaging are also necessary if costs are to be minimized. Such integrated packages must, of course, include the special needs of the antenna and associated feed networks.