A Planar Microstrip TM0 Mode Launcher for Single Conductor Transmission Line

Abstract

In this paper, a novel TM0 mode launcher is presented for surface wave excitation on a single conductor line (SCL). The launcher is designed at 2.7 GHz frequency with planar microstrip technology on an FR4 substrate. Experimental results of the fabricated prototype validate the design and its simulated results. Peak of the measured S21-parameter is observed at -5.5 dB with 100 cm separation between the launchers. A path loss of 1 dB/m and back-to-back isolation of - 23 dB is observed. The launcher is compact (7 cm*7 cm), easy to manufacture and install on existing infrastructure for power line communication.