The Volume-Modular Technology in the Design of Passive Microwave Devices

Ideas, methods and devices of electronics are widely spread in various fields of science, technology and telecommunications. It is a result of significant development of the electronic component base. One of directions of the development of the electronic component base is improving of overall dimensions and electrical characteristics of passive microwave devices. This article presents a brief overview of features of application of the volume-modular technology in the design of passive microwave devices for modern electronic equipment. The volume-modular way of implementing of microwave devices allows for improve their weight and dimensions characteristics while maintaining and increasing their functionality and electrical properties. It is also a way that leads to a technologically easy replacement of individual functional parts of microwave devices. Basic principles of the design of volume-modular passive microwave devices are presented and examples are given. Main advantages and disadvantages of the volume-modular technology are listed. There is presented an approximate method for quantitative assessment of the influence of the shape of a microwave device on its overall dimensions when using the volume-modular technology in its design.