UNIPLANAR TECHNIQUES FOR MONOLITHIC MICROWAVE INTEGRATED-CIRCUITS

'Uniplanar' techniques have recently been introduced for the design of monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs). The aim of these te chniques is to achieve a higher level of integration of circuitry and to overcome the need for through-substrate via holes and the related b ack-face processing steps. This is achieved by using coplanar waveguid e (CPW), slotline, and miniature 'thin-film microstrip' transmission-l ine media as opposed to conventional microstrip. The design and perfor mance of a number of uniplanar MMIC couplers, amplifiers, and other te st circuits fabricated using the GEC-Marconi (Caswell) foundry are des cribed.