Advanced microwave integrated circuit technology

The widely used thin film technology employed in the manufacture of microstrip microwave integrated circuits has been further developed. Thin film processes are now used to integrate the passive components which are normally added to the circuit in discrete form. Capacitors, resistors and air-bridge interconnections are fabricated in thin film thereby making the assembly operation much simpler. This leads to better circuit uniformity, lower manufacturing costs, higher reliability and excellent repeatable circuit performance. An example of the application of this technology is discussed and its usefulness in the design and manufacture of microwave and millimetric integrated circuits is presented.<>