Optimization of PCB Transitions for Vertical Solderless Coaxial Connectors up to 67 GHz

This work presents the application of vertical solderless coaxial connectors for the 2.92 mm and 1.85 mm standards operating up to 67 GHz. Optimized PCB footprints are designed to minimize the interface reflections in conjunction with a widely available RF substrate. A return loss above 20 dB up to 30 GHz for the 2.92 mm connector and above 15 dB up to 60 GHz for the 1.85 mm connector is achieved. The de-embedded insertion loss per connector does not exceed 0.5 dB at 40 GHz and 0.75 dB at 67 GHz, respectively. A differential wideband amplifier and an ultra-wideband antenna are packaged and measured as practical demonstration, showing only a slight decrease in performance over the full bandwidth of interest.