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We present a low-cost 24 GHz VCO that is based on a microstrip design combined with discrete packaged devices. The output frequency is generated by a harmonic oscillator. The tunabilty was reached using a varactor diode. Two versions of the VCO were built, one has a wide tuning range of 1.1GHz and the other one has a high output power of 3.7 dBm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous standard RF circuits like directional couplers, hybrids, amplitude modulators, oscillators, etc. require a 50Ω termination. Additionally, in several measurement scenarios, ports have to be terminated. Such terminations are preferable of the same waveguide type as the circuits to avoid degradation of their performance. In general, standard fabrication steps are desired as they are cost-effective. The straightforward solution is a 50Ω resistor shunted to ground by means of a via. Partial wraparound SMD resistors in a 0402 size have low parasitics making them applicable up to K-band. However, for RF, this combination suffers from the considerable inductive parasitics of the via. Different approaches to avoid the vias, with varying disadvantages exist. We analyzed the approach of broadband matching the non ideal viaresistor combination to 50Ω by means of a filter structure. The realization uses only standard design and fabrication methods. The design procedure can easily be adapted to arbitrary substrates and fabrication technologies. The assembled 50Ω termination was measured using TRL calibration with a VNA. Therefore its characteristics are determined in the intended plane and it can be directly included into a planar 50Ω circuit. The measured terminations showed a VSWR better than 1.34 within the whole band from DC to K-band, and within 57% of the band (including the 24 GHz ISM band) the VSWR is better than 1.22. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method is demonstrated for determination of elastic constants of anisotropic layers on arbitrarily anisotropic and piezoelectric substrates only using the easily measured velocity of surface acoustic waves. By means of a detailed theoretical analysis it is shown that by use of the presented method, the elastic stiffness constants and propagation properties of any nonpiezoelectric isotropic, cubic, or even trigonal layer can be determined. The method is applied to proton-exchanged lithium niobate (PE:LiNbO(3)). Complete measurements of dispersion characteristics of Rayleigh waves on Y -cut PE:LiNbO(3) and calculated values of all elastic stiffness constants of the proton-exchanged film are reported.