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ORCID
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6589-5819
Access Type
Open Access Thesis
Document Type
thesis
Degree Program
Electrical & Computer Engineering
Degree Type
Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (M.S.E.C.E.)
Year Degree Awarded
2022
Month Degree Awarded
February
Abstract
This work proposes wideband and broadband Planar Ultra-wideband Modular Antenna (PUMA) arrays designed to improve cost and reliability for high production volume commercial and military applications. The designs feature simplified PCB stack-ups with high dielectric constant (Dk) dimensionally stable materials to improve the manufacturing cost and yield. Additionally, the packages use ball grid array (BGA) interconnects, commonly used in digital electronics, for simple solder reflow integration with radio frequency (RF) electronics. While high Dk materials present practical manufacturing benefits, theoretical background will show how and why PUMA arrays lose frequency bandwidth and scan volume with high Dk materials. Further, a band limiting cavity mode will be shown to encroach into the frequency band of high Dk PUMA arrays due to a higher order common mode. PUMA arrays designed on several high Dk materials (Dk = {2.55, 3, 3.7}) will be presented to characterize this reduction in bandwidth. A wideband 7.25-31 GHz (4.3:1) PUMA array-on-package designed on Rogers RO4725JXR (Dk = 2.55) is presented with infinite array simulation results showing good active impedance match, port isolation and cross-polarization performance out to q = 45°. A simplified broadband 15-21 GHz (30%) PUMA array on a thin (λ/11) single layer of Isola FR408HR (Dk = 3.7) is proposed with infinite array results predicting strong active impedance, port isolation and cross-polarization performance with better port isolation and cross-polarization levels than a similar dual-polarized probe fed patch array.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7275/jh18-ad84
First Advisor
Marinos N Vouvakis
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
LaCroix, James R., "Planar Ultra-Wideband Modular Antenna (PUMA) Arrays for High-Volume Manufacturing on Organic Laminates and BGA Interfaces" (2022). Masters Theses. 1163.
https://doi.org/10.7275/jh18-ad84
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/masters_theses_2/1163
Included in
Electrical and Electronics Commons, Electromagnetics and Photonics Commons, Electronic Devices and Semiconductor Manufacturing Commons, Other Electrical and Computer Engineering Commons, Systems and Communications Commons