Life in the fast lane-advanced fabrication methods for a microwave spectrum analyser

Microwave engineering is characterised by its own distinctive design principles and manufacturing methods. The very high frequencies of microwaves present designers and manufacturers alike with problems not found in lower parts of the spectrum, giving microwave engineering a special nature of its own. The microwave spectrum is generally considered to begin at around 1 GHz. The upper limit is not so clearly defined: most applications are at frequencies below 26.5 GHz, but work is currently under way to develop systems working at up to 300 GHz in specialist areas. Established applications areas include satellite systems, line-of-sight communications, radar and electronic-warfare systems. The author aims to provide a taste of the special nature of microwave engineering by describing the design and fabrication processes of a modern high-resolution spectrum analyser, covering the microwave spectrum up to 30 GHz-the 2386 from Marconi Instruments