Microstrip Line Discontinuities Simulation at Microwave Frequencies

Abstract

Microwave and Millimeter wave integrated circuits (MICs) have experienced a tremendous growth over the last 50 years. Microstrip line is one of the popular lines in these MICs. Due to the layout necessities, an electromagnetic wave that propagates down a microstrip line may encounter discontinuities such as T-junctions, Bends and vias. A simulation model is presented here for analysing these discontinuities in microstrips through Sonnet Software. The parameters of microstrip lines are determined from the empirical formulae which are based on full wave analysis. The simulation work has been performed on Alumina substrate. The discontinuities are simulated and compensated which gives important results for designing high frequency microwave circuits.

Key Words: Microwave and millimeter wave integrated circuits (MICs), microstrip line, microstrip line discontinuities, T-junctions, bends, steps in width, full wave analysis, substrate permittivity and sonnet software.