Apparatus for the interconnection of radio frequency (RF) monolithic microwave integrated circuits

A coaxial-to-coplanar waveguide connector, the coaxial-to-coplanar waveguide connector coupling miniature coaxial cable to a microwave integrated circuit device on a circuit board, the miniature coaxial cable having a substantially circular cross-section and having a conductor, a dielectric and a shield, the circuit board having miniature coaxial cable embedded therein and a reference ground plane, the coaxial-to-coplanar waveguide connector comprising:

• (a) a conductor portion corresponding to a segment of the miniature coaxial cable conductor, the conductor portion axially protruding from an end of the miniature coaxial cable which has a substantially circular cross-section, the conductor portion being contiguous with the conductor of the miniature coaxial cable;
• (b) an intermediate pad, the intermediate pad being located adjacent to the conductor portion, the intermediate pad having a conductive strip mounted on a dielectric material, the conductor portion being coupled to the conductive strip of the intermediate pad;
• and
• (c) an electrically conductive means being connected to the conductive strip at a location which is substantially axially opposite to that of the conductor portion, the electrically conductive means being provided for connection to a microwave integrated circuit device.

In combination:

• a dielectric cable board having a first dielectric portion, an adhesive portion, a conductive portion and a second dielectric portion, the dielectric board having coaxial cable laid upon the adhesive portion and contained within, the dielectric cable board, the dielectric cable board having a microwave integrated circuit device mounted thereon, the microwave integrated circuit device having an input/output connection and a ground plane;
• and
• a coaxial-to-coplanar waveguide connector, the coaxial-to-coplanar waveguide connector having:
• a) a connection section, the connection section having a substantially semi-circular lateral cross-section and having opposite first and second axial ends, the connection section including a conductor portion, a dielectric portion and a shield portion, the conductor portion having a substantially semi-circular lateral cross-section, the dielectric portion and shield portion having arc-like lateral cross-sections, the dielectric portion being interposed between the conductor portion and the shield portion, the dielectric portion and shield portion being concentric about the conductor portion;
• b) a first electrically conductive means, the first electrically conductive means coupling the shield portion to a reference potential of the circuit board, the first electrically conductive means coupling the shield portion to the ground plane of the microwave integrated circuit device;
• c) a second electrically conductive means, the second electrically conductive means being coupled to the conductor portion, the second electrically conductive means coupling the conductor portion to the input/output connection of the microwave integrated device;
• wherein the second electrically conductive means being coupled to the first end of the connection section, and wherein the second opposite end of the connection section is coupled to the coaxial cable.