Transition between a laminated PCB and a waveguide including a lamina with a printed conductive surface functioning as a waveguide-backshort

A system configured to direct electromagnetic millimeter-waves towards a waveguide using an electrically conductive formation within a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), comprising:

• a waveguide having an aperture;
• at least two laminas belonging to the PCB;
• a first electrically conductive surface printed on one of the at least two laminas and located over the aperture, such that the first electrically conductive surface covers at least most of the aperture;
• a plurality of Vertical Interconnect Access (VIA) holes filled or plated with an electrically conductive material, electrically connecting the first electrically conductive surface to the waveguide, thereby forming an electrically conductive cage over the aperture;
• and
• a probe, printed on another one of the at least two laminas of the PCB, and said probe is located inside the cage and over the aperture;
• the system configured to direct the millimeter-waves, transmitted by the probe, towards the waveguide;
• wherein the thickness of the lamina carrying the first electrically conductive surface is operative to best position the first electrically conductive surface relative to the probe in order to optimize millimeter-wave energy propagation through the waveguide and towards an unsealed end of the waveguide at a frequency band between 20 GHz and 100 GHz.