Integrated RF circuits design and packaging in high contrast ceramic-polymer composites

Apaydin, E.; Hansford, Derek J.; Koulourids, S.; Volakis, John L.

doi:10.1109/aps.2007.4395849

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 4 publications

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“…As we can only print 1µm-thick metal layer on the polymer surface using our current evaporation set-up [10], an approach to increase the metal layer thickness is to employ electroplating/electro-deposition. To further increase the bonding and adhesion between the metal layer and the polymer surface, the latter is textured with a periodic array of pyramidal (reflector-like) depression (Fig.…”

Section: Electro-deposition On Microtextured Surfacesmentioning

confidence: 99%

High conductivity printing on polymer-ceramic composites

Zhou

Apaydin

Koulouridis

et al. 2008

2008 IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium

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IntroductionMany mobile structures (aircrafts, ships and automobiles) require conformal antennas for high data rate connectivity, which brings the need for material compatibility and for structurally reinforced antennas. The latter requirement is particularly challenging for small platforms since a large antenna is needed at these frequencies. For small unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) spanning a few feet, it is inevitable that the antennas be part of the structure. As the antennas become part of the structural airframe, there is a need for materials that concurrently serve the electrical and structural requirements. Among available materials, fibreglass, although suitable for load bearing applications, is not attractive for antennas due to its higher losses [1]. Suitable materials are polymerbased mixtures [2, 3] because of their inherent low-loss properties, and mixing ease with ceramic and/or magnetic powders [4].Not surprisingly, polymers are rapidly becoming important among materials for microwave and electronic applications. For example, polymerceramic composites were proposed as substrate materials for a scanning antenna [5]. Epoxy mixed with ceramic powders has been reported to make embedded capacity films [6]. Polymers are also targeted for packaging, for integration with radio frequency front-end circuits and for 3D electronics (multilayered packaged electronics). For example, liquid crystal polymers (LCP) have also been proposed for System on Package (SoP) applications, displaying attractive properties like low loss, low water absorption, and low cost [7]. However, LCPs are associated with low and very limited choices for dielectric constants. In contrast, polymerceramic composites [2] offer much greater range of dielectric values from ε r =3 to ε r =20 or higher. Of importance about the polymer-ceramic composites are that a) polymers can be doped to make them functional and control their dielectric properties; b) they are "soft" and pliable (unlike crystalline materials); c) thin polymer layers can be printed and then stacked to form packaged 3D electronics and d) they can be reinforced with carbon-based nanotubes to render them structurally capable for UAV embedded antennas and smart skins.In spite of their attractive electrical properties, printing on polymers is a major issue, and has been the topic of recent papers [8,9]. For RF applications, a challenge is that of retaining high conductivity of the printed metallic pattern when the polymer surface is bent or deformed. This is due to poor metal adhesion, and to surface expansion (surface area increase) after bending causing detachment of the metal particles forming the printed area. In this paper we propose (for the first time to our knowledge) novel techniques for printing on ceramic-reinforced elastic polymer composite substrates targeting truly conformal microwave applications suitable for a wide range of operating frequencies, i.e. 100MHz -

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Section: Electro-deposition On Microtextured Surfacesmentioning

confidence: 99%