H-Plane Mode Conversion and Application in Printed Microwave Integrated Circuit

This paper presents a novel MIC (microwave integrated circuit) design methodology, which consistently applies the H-plane discontinuity structures to integrate a multi-function microwave RF module using conventional PCB (printed-circuit-board) fabrication process. Two distinct types of waveguide, namely, microstrip and metallic rectangular waveguide, are simultaneously integrated on the same substrate(s) through the interface mode converters. An X-band MIC filter prototype, consisting of two H-plane mode converters and six H-plane waveguide slits, is built and tested, showing an attractive filter performance and a great potential for implementing the proposed MIC design methodology.