Comparison of coplanar waveguide models at millimetre wave frequencies

Abstract

This paper investigates an improved empirical model predicting the propagation characteristics of coplanar waveguides (CPW) at G band based on a conventional analytical CPW model. A comparison with another quasi-analytic CPW model and fullwave em simulations is presented. The comparison results demonstrate that the improved CPW model shows excellent agreement with measurements on different substrate materials up to 220 GHz. This means that, for the first time, a comprehensive and efficient CPW description at higher frequency ranges up to G band is available. This improved CPW model can be applied and used during the design cycle of hybrid integrated circuits (ICs), monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) and printed circuits board (PCBs). Moreover, the enhanced accuracy of the improved CPW model can help to reduce uncertainties in on-wafer CPW-based measurements.