This letter presents a 4 x 4 Butler matrix realized using stereolithography 3-D printing technology and liquid metal filling. The matrix is in coaxial technology and relies on circular branch lines and curved 50 Ω lines. Input and output ports are aligned and placed on the same plane, while branch lines are organized using all three dimensions to minimize the length of the connecting lines. A prototype, designed at an operating frequency of 12 GHz, is manufactured and tested, showing a footprint of only 1.7x1.3 λ₀². A good agreement between simulated and measured transmission coefficients is observed regardless of the selected input port. These encouraging results open the door to the realization of compact low-cost and high-performing RF beam-steering networks in coaxial technology, based on curing-free additive manufacturing processes.

Compact 3-D-Printed 4 x 4 Butler Matrix Based on Low-Cost and Curing-Free Additive Manufacturing

Valentina Palazzi
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
Federico Alimenti
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
Paolo Mezzanotte
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
Luca Roselli
Membro del Collaboration Group
2021

Abstract

This letter presents a 4 x 4 Butler matrix realized using stereolithography 3-D printing technology and liquid metal filling. The matrix is in coaxial technology and relies on circular branch lines and curved 50 Ω lines. Input and output ports are aligned and placed on the same plane, while branch lines are organized using all three dimensions to minimize the length of the connecting lines. A prototype, designed at an operating frequency of 12 GHz, is manufactured and tested, showing a footprint of only 1.7x1.3 λ₀². A good agreement between simulated and measured transmission coefficients is observed regardless of the selected input port. These encouraging results open the door to the realization of compact low-cost and high-performing RF beam-steering networks in coaxial technology, based on curing-free additive manufacturing processes.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11391/1479534
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