Parallel Metal Planes Research Articles

Parallel Plate Mode Suppression in Low-Frequency Microwave Circuit Packages Using Lid of 3-D Cross by a 3-D Printing Technique

A novel lid of three-dimensional (3-D) cross is proposed for parallel plate mode suppression in low-frequency microstrip circuit packages. The dispersion analysis of the unit cell of the periodic 3-D crosses between parallel metal planes shows that its stopband fractional bandwidth is increased to 75.4% and shifts toward lower frequencies. The electric size of the unit cell is also reduced to 0.21 λ 0 × 0.21 λ 0 × 0.18 λ 0. Moreover, a two-dimensional equivalent circuit model is proposed to give a physical insight. Finally, a 3-D printing technique is used to print the lid of a 3-D cross prototype and a simple microstrip line is fabricated for testing its parallel plate mode suppression performance. The measured results show that the parallel plate mode is suppressed in the stopband, and the insertion loss of the microstrip line is similar to that of the unpackaged one.

Formulation and Network Model Reduction for Analysis of the Power Distribution Network in a Production-Level Multilayered Printed Circuit Board

A methodology for modeling the power delivery network from the voltage regulator module to the pins of a high pin count integrated circuit on a printed circuit board (PCB) is presented. The proposed model is based on inductance extraction from first principle formulation of a cavity formed by parallel metal planes. Circuit reduction is used to practically realize the model for a production level, complex, multilayer PCBs. The lumped element model is compatible with SPICE-type simulators. The resulting model has a relatively simple circuit topology. The model is corroborated with microprobing measurements up to a few gigahertz. The model can be used for a wide range of geometry variations in a power integrity analysis, including complex power/ground stack up, various numbers of decoupling capacitors with arbitrary locations, numerous IC power pins and IC power/ground return via layouts, as well as hundreds of ground return vias.

A waveguide with contactless walls formed from an EBG structure

An EBG structure in the form of a 2D periodic lattice of circular metal cylinders placed with gaps between two parallel metal planes is analyzed. The eigenmodes of this structure are analyzed. Dependences of the width and position of the structure stopband on the parameters of these eigenmodes are studied. The eigenmodes in a waveguide formed in the described EBG structure after the removal of an infinite row of cylinders from the lattice are also analyzed. The results of the experimental investigation of such a waveguide are presented.

Time-efficient modeling of the effect of metal packages on electrical circuits

In this work, a method for predicting the effect of conductive plates and boxes on electrical circuit behavior is presented. The method uses the Hallen integral equation to determine currents along circuit branches. The effect of metal packages is taken into account with appropriate images of the circuit branches. Using image theory enables time-efficient approximate full-wave analysis. This approach allows the analysis of circuits placed above a single ground plane, in a metal corner, between parallel metal planes, in rectangular metal pipes or in rectangular metal boxes. The circuits can be made of possibly insulated metal wires and/or narrow strips printed on thin dielectric substrates, and can have lumped generators and lumped or distributed impedances. The method is illustrated on several simple circuit examples and the results are compared to measurements and to results obtained using circuit theory. >

Conversion of ultrashort laser pulses into an electromagnetic signal in dispersive waveguides

An analysis is made of the principal features of the conversion of short laser pulses (by the optical rectification effect) into an electromagnetic signal in a guiding system composed of two parallel metal planes with a thin nonlinear crystal between them. It is shown that the dispersion of such a system may increase the length of a signal well in excess of the duration of the original pulse. Estimates of the amplitudes of the excited oscillation modes are given for KDP and lithium niobate crystals. It is pointed out that the proposed conversion method can be used in measurements of the parameters of the output of self-mode-locked lasers.