Integrated broadside conductor for suspended transmission line and method

A method for transmitting a signal at a specified frequency, comprising:

• supporting a conductor on a dielectric support layer in a low-loss propagation structure between first and second ground plates;
• spacing the first and second ground plates from the dielectric support layer in accordance with a transmitted signal frequency, and the size, geometry and materials of the support layer, the conductor, the first and second ground plates and the propagation structure;
• transmitting a signal along the conductor;
• maintaining an electric field generated by the transmitted signal at a substantially constant phase and amplitude along the conductor;
• and
• substantially containing an electric field generated by the transmitted signal to the low-loss propagation structure.

A suspended transmission line, comprising:

• a dielectric support layer having a first side and a second side;
• a conductor supported by the support layer and having a first part supported on the first side of the support layer and a second part supported on the second side of the support layer;
• a first ground plane positioned from the first side of the dielectric support layer in a spaced relationship, the spacing between the first ground plane and the first side selected to form a first air cavity over the first part of the conductor to substantially contain the electromagnetic field generated by a transmitted signal on the conductor in the first air cavity;
• a first spacer between the support layer and the first ground plane to form the first air cavity over the first part of the conductor, the first spacer geometry depending on the transmitted signal frequency, and the size, geometry and materials of the support layer, the conductor, the first ground plane, and the first air cavity;
• a second ground plane positioned from the second side of the dielectric support layer in a spaced relationship, the spacing between the second ground plane and the second side selected to form a second air cavity over the second part of the conductor to substantially contain the electromagnetic field generated by a transmitted signal on the conductor in the second air cavity;
• a second spacer between the support layer and the second ground plane to form the second air cavity over the second part of the conductor, the second spacer geometry depending on the transmitted signal frequency, and the size, geometry and materials of the support layer, the conductor, the second ground plane, and the second air cavity;
• and
• a plurality of broadside connectors spaced at substantially equal distances along the conductor to maintain a substantially constant phase and amplitude for the transmitted signal on the conductor, the plurality of broadside connectors connecting the first and second parts along the length of the conductors.

A suspended transmission line, comprising:

• a dielectric support layer having a first side and a second side;
• a conductor supported by the support layer and having a first part supported at the first side of the support layer and a second part supported at the second side of the support layer;
• a first ground plane positioned from the first side of the dielectric support layer in a spaced relationship, the spacing between the first ground plane and the first side selected to form a propagation structure to substantially contain the electromagnetic field, generated by a transmitted signal on the conductor in the propagation structure, the spacing between the first ground plane and the first side depending on the transmitted signal frequency, and the size, geometry and materials of the support layer, the conductor, the first ground plane, and the propagation structure;
• a second ground plane positioned from the second side of the dielectric support layer in a spaced relationship, the spacing between the second ground plane and the second side selected to form a propagation structure to substantially contain the electromagnetic field generated by a transmitted signal on the conductor in the propagation structure, the spacing between the second ground plane and the second side depending on the transmitted signal frequency, and the size, geometry and materials of the support layer, the conductor, the second ground plane and the propagation structure;
• and
• a plurality of broadside connectors spaced at substantially equal distances along the conductor to maintain a substantially constant phase and amplitude for the transmitted signal on the conductor, the plurality of broadside connectors connecting the first and second parts along the length of the conductor.