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This report is the edited transcript of a seminar given at Lincoln Laboratory on 2 March 1965. The cyclicity of interest in millimeter wave research is traced from the time of Hertz, when investigations of this part of the electromagnetic spectrum began. The waxing and waning of millimeter wave research are traced as exciting new fields are discovered which diverted the interest of physicists. Each re-emergence of millimeter wave research has been more robust, often because the results of the diversions were important to improved techniques. Early millimeter wave apparatus is described. The narrative of the development of a millimeter wave radar for the detection of the moon relates the opening of this spectral region to radar astronomy. Other applications are mentioned, along with future possibilities. A chronology, a list of large millimeter wave antennas, and a bibliography of review papers are included.

Wire-bond technology is cost-effective and widely available. This paper presents a mm-wave front-end module concept that exploits this technology for antenna implementation. A straightforward and computationally efficient modeling approach for the design of such antennas is presented that can be used in combination with standard IC design tools. The model was successfully verified with a commercial FDTD solver as well as measurements.