Ku/K-Band LTCC SMD Circulator for Space Applications

The present paper describes a new development of a Ku/K-band broadband LTCC circulator integrated into active antenna. The study is conducted by Exens-Solutions in collaboration with CNES, Thales TRT and IMT Atlantique. The circulator, designed and simulated by Exens-Solutions, is matched from 16GHz to 22GHz and exhibits satisfying return loss, isolation, and insertion losses. The stripline topology allows a reliable shielding of the structure by taking into account EMC constraints. The LTCC ferrite/dielectric material, developed by Thales TRT, is described in this paper. The fabrication steps and rules, defined by IMT Atlantique, are also discussed.