The Anatomy of a Microstrip Isolator and Circulator: Understanding the Basics of Microwave Microstrip Isolator and Circulator Technologies

时间： 2023-09-11 来源：Smiths Interconnect blogs

代理服务

技术支持

批量订货

Microstrip isolators and circulators are broadband structures which offer a unique blend of broadband operation, low mass & low profile which together make them ideal for use in active electronic arrays used in communication and radar systems in terrestrial and space applications.

A microstrip circulator is generally a passive, non-reciprocal three-port device that only allows a microwave or radio-frequency signal to exit through the port directly after the one it entered. An isolator is a two-port device that transmits microwave or radio frequency power in one direction only, while the other direction is blocked. Isolators can be considered as a special case of a circulator and are made by terminating one port of the circulator ports with a suitable load.

Microstrip devices are normally used in hybrid constructions with wire bonding used to integrate the device into the circuit. Other types that are suitable for low temperature solders are becoming increasingly popular.

Applications are dominated by products whose small physical size and low mass are particularly valued. For example, typically a 30GHz isolator would have a 4x4mm footprint and have a mass of <0.2g, while an X-Band circulator would have a 7x7mm footprint and weigh <0.4g.

Microstrip isolators and circulators are comprised of up to 9 individual material layers, each material selected for its electro-magnetic and thermo-mechanical properties. These layers are assembled by bonding the layers to form a sandwich construction using a variety of specialist epoxies and processes which are processed using precisely applied mechanical pressure during carefully controlled thermal profiles.

Independent of operating parameters all devices are made using the same basic materials and assembled using broadly common processes. Isolator and circulators operate over assigned frequency bands, with typically 20-25% fractional bandwidths. The operating frequency, temperature and RF power dictates the design approach and heavily influences the choice of ferrite and magnetic material.

A typical isolator construction is illustrated in the following simplified diagram with each of the major components described below.

1. The carrier: serves two important purposes, to provide structure to the relatively brittle ferrite material and to provide a return path for the magnetic field created by the magnet. Carriers are usually made from a specialist grade of steel with the precise choice being influenced by several factors including their thermal, magnetic and mechanical properties. Where the isolator operates over narrow temperature excursions the carrier can be made from lower cost mild steel and in for specialist applications non-ferrous materials are occasionally employed. Carriers are usually plated with Ag or Au to prevent corrosion.

2. The epoxy layer (item 3) is used to bond the carrier to the patterned ferrite tile. The epoxy is either a conductive preform or occasionally a liquid conductive type. The bonding of these two parts is a crucial process and one that must ensure that the carrier and substrate surfaces are parallel to each other, precisely aligned and so that bond line is free from voids and with a visible but negative meniscus. This process also sets the bond height: the distance between the ground onto which the microstrip is mounted by the user and the surface onto which the user bond the part into their circuits.

3. The substrate: is made from ferrite selected based on the frequency, magnetic, RF power handling characteristics and mechanical compatibility with the carrier. The ferrite is patterned onto larger tiles and then singulated into individual patterned parts. This processing step is highly specialized and the details of the materials used and the process itself jealously guarded! The ferrite thickness and the pattern itself is based on the design operating parameters. If the device features grounding vias then these are included as part of the ferrite patterning process.

4. The magnet’s purpose is to provide the field that biases the ferrite. The magnet size and type are dependent on many complex design considerations with the expectation that the magnet’s strength tracks the ferrite materials’ variation as a function of temperature. The magnet in combination with the carrier is designed so the bias is optimised over as wide a temperature range as possible. The position of the magnet with respect to the etched Au pattern is crucial to the electrical performance.

5. In some cases a pole piece or label (5) is attached to the magnet. A pole piece acts to reduce (not eliminate) the stray magnetic field and is made from steel and attached to the magnet with epoxy (9). Where a pole piece is employed this offers a convenient surface on which the device serial number and other relevant information can be machine or laser etched. Where stray magnetic fields are not important a lower cost label made from Aluminum can be use. Adding a pole piece or label does have cost implications and their inclusion or not decided prior to the design being completed.

6. Were this a circulator the device would be complete. In this case it is an isolator and a chip termination (6) attached to the carrier (grounded for electrical and thermal reasons) using epoxy with the live pad attached the substrate using Au tape (11) to provide the load. There are several methods of terminating a circulator with the chip termination having the advantages of providing a bulk absorber capable of handling several Watts of RF power while offering a 50Ohm resistance bleed path.

Smiths Interconnect has produced almost 700,000 microstrip isolators and circulators over the past 2 decades from 300 portfolio products. The innovation continues and on average 12 new designs being added to the portfolio each year. Today automation is used to produce a large proportion of the devices supplied with robot assembly working had in hand with human operators to bring unheard of device consistency and quality.

Microstrip isolators and circulators are broadband structures offer a unique blend of broad band operation, low mass & low profile which together make them ideal for use in hybrids for space and terrestrial AESA applications.

The device in the image above is a microstrip circulator. The three ports are arranged in the “Y” configuration favored by most Transmit/Receive module designers with the common or antenna port opposite the Tx and Rx ports. This particular device operates in C-Band (5.2-5.9GHz) and is available in a variety of types including versions with co-planar waveguide (ground-signal-ground) interfaces. This device has been used in both defence and commercial space-based radar systems and is designed to operate at 50W.

Potential customers interested in knowing more about this and related capabilities may contact Smiths Interconnect and discuss their specific needs. Our experienced technical staff will be pleased to detail the potential performances, mechanical details, and share the fruits of Smiths Interconnect’s 20 years of experience designing and producing these types of devices.

Smiths Interconnect has a large portfolio of existing microstrip isolators and circulators designed to operate in assigned bands from 2.0 to 32.0GHz at operating powers that extend to 100Wpk in X-Band with each device resulting from the same rigorous design and manufacturing process. In addition to microstrip Smiths Interconnect has a range of SMT devices developed primarily for radar applications in L, S, C & X-bands and a broader range of passive products intended for civilian, defence and space applications using a variety of interfaces including MIC, stripline and waveguide and which have resulted from 4 decades of investment and hard-won experience.

发送到邮箱 |
+1 赞 0
收藏
评论 0
| 转发至：

本文由涂抹转载自Smiths Interconnect blogs，原文标题为:The anatomy of a microstrip isolator and circulator，本站所有转载文章系出于传递更多信息之目的，且明确注明来源，不希望被转载的媒体或个人可与我们联系，我们将立即进行删除处理。

全部评论（0）

暂无评论

Smiths Interconnect is Transforming New Product Development with “CAD-to-FAB“

‘CAD-to-FAB’ - CAD stands for ‘computer-aided design’ and FAB for ‘digitised fabrication.’ Combined, this process can streamline and clean up the entire production line, from concept to customer-ready unit.

2024-09-04 - 设计经验代理服务技术支持批量订货

K波段无源元件空间合格的同轴和WR51隔离器、循环器和ISO适配器、波导负载和微带隔离器

型号- 19TE110,I190220/A,I233236/A,I190220/B,19HD353,I177220/H,I255270/A,C173202/C,19TE111,I173220/A,19TM107,19TM106,I173220/C,I235240/A,19TE109,19CD328,19HD359,19HD358,I178202/J,I178202/H

2021 - SMITHS INTERCONNECT - 商品及供应商介绍 - Version1.0 代理服务技术支持批量订货

Resilient Growth within Space Technology

In summary, in space applications, whether satellites, manned space flights, or ground support equipment, high reliability in really harsh environments is a necessity.

2024-03-01 - 技术探讨代理服务技术支持批量订货

关于UIY

描述- 本资料介绍了UIY公司及其产品。UIY成立于2003年，专注于民用和军事微波通信设备的研发、生产和销售。产品涵盖射频隔离器、射频环行器、射频滤波器、衰减器/终端/负载、功率分配器/分裂器、双工器/三工器、收发合路器/分裂器以及其他相关产品。产品广泛应用于民用、军事、航空航天、太空技术等领域。UIY秉承“客户至上、技术领先、诚信为本、勇于创新”的管理理念，致力于为客户提供高质量的产品和服务。

型号- UIYBPF8844A,UIYBCC6466A,UIY4PD12071A,UIYDI4249A,UIYDX9580B,UIYDX9580A,UIYHPF3426A,UIYCDI9678A,UIYBCC5049A,UIYDX6733A,UIYBCC5049B,UIYWI2836A,UIYCC4550A,UIYCI1522A,UIYBSF29567A,UIYDDI12075A,UIYCDI7038A,UIYBDI5049B,UIYCA500A,UIYWI4242A,UIYBPF12021A,UIYBPF8648A,UIYBPF10060A,UIYDC3538A,UIYWI1636A,UIYBDI5049A,UIYTX120120A,UIYCA100AN18,UIYWTCWR90A,UIYBCI3434G,UIYBCI3434F,UIYWTCWR90E,UIYCT150AN3,UIYCA50AS18,UIYCT150AN6,UIYDI1925A,UIYCA300AN124,UIYDX12276A,UIYBSF202152A,UIY6RS1UB,UIYWC1027A,UIYLPF19048A,UIYDX170125A,UIY8PD199106A,UIYBCI3434D,UIYBCI3434C,UIYWI1940A,UIYBCI3434B,UIYBCI3434A,UIYMI1416A,UIYWC2225A,UIYDI5663A,UIYWC2225B,UIYBPF250166A,UIYBDC5972A,UIYMC55B,UIY8PD10875A,UIYCT5AN124,UIYHPF3733A,UIY4PD5650A,UIY4PD5650B,UIYLPF15830A,UIYLPF3325A,UIYDDC16080A4P,UIYDX62112A,UIYWTCWR112A,UIY8PD245174A,UIYBPF205205A,UIYWTCWR112E,UIYSI15A,UIYBPF7070A,UIYWC4444A,UIYCA300AN3,UIYBDC6434A4P,UIYCA300AN6,UIYCA300AN8,UIYHPF3734A,UIYBPF5313A,UIYBPF9033A,UIYBCC2618A,UIYCT50AN6,UIYBCC2618B,UIYCA2AS18,UIYCT50AS18,UIY8PD144103B,UIY8PD144103A,UIYWTCWR159A,UIYCT50AN3,UIYBPF6535A,UIYWTCWR159E,UIYDX121159A,UIYCA200AN8,UIYCT5AN3,UIYCT5AN18,UIYDI2020A,UIYDX260190A,UIYDDC12060A4P,UIYCA200AN6,UIYCA200AN3,UIYBDC10149A,UIYCT5AN6,UIYCT25AS8,UIYBDC10149B,UIY2T1HC422165A,UIYCI5356A,UIYCA25AS18,UIYMC33Y,UIYBPF338151A,UIYCC5356A,UIYDMC108B,UIYDMC108A,UIYBCI10149B,UIYLPF9426A,UIYBDI6466A,UIYBCC1920A,UIYBCI10149A,UIYBCC1920B,UIYDX340210A,UIYLPF4630A,UIYCA2AS124,UIYCDC7038A4P,UIY4T8RTR3UB2C,UIYBDI5028A,UIYBPF100104A,UIYSC7A,UIYDDI7046A,UIYDI5356A,UIYBCC5028A,UIYDX185155A,UIYSI12A,UIYCDC16080A,UIYWTCWR137A,UIYBDC7272A,UIYWTCWR137E,UIYSI36A,UIYDMC109A,UIYDMC109B,UIYWTCWR28E,UIYCT100AN18,UIYBCC4550A,UIYBPF4814A,UIYCT25AS18,UIYCA150AN3,UIYCDI12060A,UIYDDC3819A,UIYBCI4040B,UIYBCI4040A,UIYBPF12028A,UIYCA10AS3,UIYBPF11022A,UIYBPF4814B,UIYDC815A,UIYDDCP21424A,UIYDI4242A,UIYBPF12026A,UIYSC9B,UIYBPF4815B,UIYLPF3322A,UIYBSF12069A,UIYWI4444A,UIYSI10A,UIYLPF4520A,UIYWI2025A,UIYBDC1920A,UIYWI2025B,UIYMC77A,UIYBSF16168A,UIYBDC1920B,UIYBDI1326A,UIYBDI1326B,UIYHPF5033A,UIYBPF10068A,UIYCA2AS3,UIYCA2AS6,UIYBDC4222A,UIYCA2AS8,UIYBSF4012A,UIYCA10AS8,UIY6TC1UA,UIYCDC12060A4P,UIY6TC1UB,UIY2PD2828E,UIYBCC4222A,UIY2PD2828F,UIYCA10AS6,UIY2PD2828G,UIYWC3842A,UIY2PD2828A,UIY16PD22393A,UIY2PD2828B,UIYBPF10069A,UIY2PD2828C,UIY2PD2828D,UIYDDCP10025A,UIYCT25AN3,UIYBCI1326A,UIYCA150AN6,UIYBCI1326B,UIYCA5AS18,UIYCT25AN6,UIYBCI5049B,UIYBCI5049A,UIYCT25AN8,UIYWI1925A,UIYBSF11968A,UIYBPF9090A,UIYBPF6464A,UIYLPF8863A,UIYCC4337A,UIYHPF2822A,UIY4PD5230A,UIYBPF17384A,UIY2PD158122A,UIYBPF100145A,UIY4PD136119A,UIYDC1220A,UIYCT500AN18,UIYBPF5026A,UIYBSF17235A,UIYDDC3819A4P,UIY4PD8562A,UIYDX9976A,UIYWI2262A,UIYCT200AN3,UIYCT1000A,UIYCT200AN8,UIYCT200AN6,UIY2T1HC14244A,UIYWTCWR284E,UIYWTCWR284F,UIYCC120140A,UIYBPF5353A,UIYMI1212A,UIYDCP5525A,UIYBCC14272A4P,UIYCA10AS124,UIYDI1219A,UIYBDI2528B,UIYDX8862A,UIYBDI2528A,UIYDDC5025A,UIYDX140110A,UIYWTCWR284A,UIYBDI4040A,UIYWI2260A,UIYLPF16525A,UIYCT10AN124,UIYCA5AN124,UIYBDI4040B,UIYBCI2528A,UIYBDI2525C,UIYBDI2525B,UIYBDI2525A,UIYBCI2528B,UIY2T1HC16445A,UIYWTCWR1150A,UIYDDC1716A4P,UIYCI2528A,UIYBPF3020B,UIYCI100166A,UIYCDC6834A4P,UIYLPF4125A,UIYBSF11060A,UIYCDC6432A,UIYCA2AN6,UIYCA2AN8,UIYBCC2618B4P,UIYBPF12553A,UIYCA2AN3,UIYHPF3934A,UIYDX18484A,UIYBPF4025A,UIYCA30AS3,UIYDX14073A,UIYCA30AS5,UIYDX11880A,UIY2PD2835A,UIYCI4337A,UIYBDI1025A,UIYLPF3022A,UIYCT80AN6,UIYMI45B,UIYCT80AN3,UIY4PD5060A,UIYBDI6075F,UIYBPF3414B,UIYBPF3414A,UIYWI2238A,UIYCT2000A,UIYBPF11890A,UIYBPF4721A,UIY2T2RTR350158A,UIYDI80140B,UIY3PD122158A,UIYMI44B,UIYMI44A,UIYBPF7022A,UIYBPF7373B,UIYMI44C,UIYBPF7373A,UIYTX11676A,UIYBCI2618B,UIYWI4876A,UIYBDC2528A,UIYBDC2528B,UIYCT2AB3,UIYBPF10016A,UIYBCI2618A,UIYMI45A,UIYBPF15065A,UIYBDC1716B4P,UIYBPF8550A,UIYCT2AB6,UIYCDC9648A4P,UIYTX7164A,UIYDC2020A,UIYTX7164B,UIYCT500AN124,UIYWTCWR34A,UIY3T1HC30480B,UIY3T1HC30480A,UIYWTCWR10A,UIY4TC420420B,UIYWTCWR34E,UIYWTCWR10E,UIYMC1414A,UIY4TC420420A,UIYDC100100A,UIYBCC3434F,UIYBCC3434C,UIYBCC3434D,UIYBCC3434A,UIYBCC3434B,UIYBPF6817A,UIYCA100AN8,UIYCA100AN6,UIYBDC1325B,UIYBCC3434G,UIYCA50AS124,UIYDI3538A,UIYBDC1325A,UIYCA100AN3,UIYBCI4222A,UIYBSF12070A,UIYCC2525A,UIYBCC6060G,UIYCA25AS124,UIYBCC6060H,UIYBCC6060E,UIYBCC6060F,UIYLPF9923A,UIYBCC6060C,UIYBCC6060D,UIYBCC6060A,UIYBCC6060B,UIYWC3030A,UIYTX100140A,UIYWC3030B,UIYHPF3818A,UIYWI2128A,UIYLPF6420A,UIYLPF17227A,UIYBPF6020A,UIYCA10AN3,UIYCA10AN6,UIYBPF5815A,UIYWTCWR12A,UIYWTCWR12E,UIYCA10AN8,UIY2T2HC23040A,UIYCI6075A,UIYDX166125A,UIY2PD48157A,UIYDX482192A,UIYDDI4027A,UIYBPF6023A,UIYDX118118A,UIYBPF10673E,UIYBPF10673G,UIYBPF10673F,UIYDX102200A,UIYCI4550A,UIYDDI3819A,UIYBPF10673C,UIYBPF10673B,UIYWI2259A,UIYBDC5049B,UIYCDC7038A,UIYBDC5049A,UIYBSF3525A,UIYDX320420A,UIY8TC1UB,UIY2PD3728A,UIY8TC1UA,UIYBCI6466A,UIYBPF8663A,UIY2T2HC40030A,UIYBPF5817A,UIYBSF12970A,UIY2PD2619A,UIY4PD220162A,UIYBCI5028A,UIYDCP8220A,UIYBDC5028A,UIYSC15A,UIYBDC5028B,UIY4TC330330A,UIYCA500AN124,UIYDC4242A,UIYWTCWR15A,UIYBDC6466A,UIYHPF3025A,UIYHPF3025B,UIYWTCWR15E,UIYWTCWR15F,UI

25th Oct, 2024 - 优译 - 选型指南代理服务技术支持批量订货

New X-band passive components for Space and Defence

Smiths Interconnect has launched its broad range of microstrip isolators, circulators and coaxial components in X-band.

2021-12-14 - 原厂动态代理服务技术支持批量订货

X波段微带线和同轴无源元件客户演示

型号- I7696/A,I90102/D,I62104/A,I8085/H,I8084/B,I80122/A,WR112,I7286/A,I71121/A,I7090/B,C85105/D,C90100/J,WR75,C89107/H,WR34,I104124/A,I94118/A,I70105/A,C94118/A,C6786/A,C7696/A,C7291/A,WR51

2020 - SMITHS INTERCONNECT - 商品及供应商介绍代理服务技术支持批量订货

High Performance Microstrip Circulators Embedded into The Active Antenna Transmitter/receiver Modules for Thales Alenia Space

Smiths Interconnect provided Thales Alenia Space with high performance microstrip circulators embedded into the active antenna Transmitter/Receiver modules, as well as low profile solderless interposers for the core electronics of the satellite. The interposer’s reduced size adapts well to limited space constraints, allowing for a smaller, lighter design of the main equipment and easy installation and replacement.

2023-10-22 - 原厂动态代理服务技术支持批量订货

非波导设备鉴定状态评审总结和设备描述

型号- I132146/A,I1114/M,I7286/A,I1517/K,I2023/C,I5561/B,I71121/A,I107148/E,STE103,I107148/A,I275300/A,I2223/L,I4166/A,XPD303,I178202/J,C7696/A,I178202/H,I121134/A,I90102/D,I3642AC,G019869-03,I04344/A,I2124/D,C2022/A,C6786/A,I04344/B,I180210/E,I2124/B,I3133/A,C2325/C,I1013/B,I6070/A,I4248/C,I80120/A,I029032/A,I2026/A,I3642/AC,I2224/E,I183202/I,C2223/J,I024026/A,C0407/A,TE102,I5768/G,TE101,I120180/A,C82124/A,XTE102,XTE103,I65355/A,XTE104,XTE105,LTE105,C85105/D,I1112/B,SAT2XX,I173220/C,I105120/A,I3440/C,I08011/A,C03941/A,I3868/A,I2123/I,I2040/C,I190220/A,I8084/B,I190220/B,I255270/A,I3944/A,C1213/F,I1112/F,C1213/D,I1112/E,I2040/D,I173220/A,I1112/G,I7073/A,CTE107,I3970/A,I233236,CTE103,CTE104,I246253/A,CTE106,I104124/A,I94118/A,I70105/A,C94118/A,C7291/A,C3133/A,C107148/B,C5355/F,SPD301,I2022/Y,SPD303,SPD302,C3443/A,C173203/C,C1617/C,I135155/A,I6277/A,C89107/C,C134146/A,C2223//G,CTE114,SPD701,I3443/A,C1214/T,C1214/U,C1214/R,I1516/C,I1516/D,KTE104,I2124/E,I8085/H,I60180/A,KTE103,I80122/A,I177220/H,I6575/A,I1516/AL,I5664B,VTE103,I1516/AR,I1213/X,I1213/R,I311316/A,I105130/C,I170185/A,JTE106,JTE107,C3442/N,JTE105,I4248C,I1516/V,C1516/C,I62104/A,I2426/D,STE112,STE113,I82124/A,STE111,I107128/AX,I135150/E,I5664/B,STE114,C029032/A,I160180/C,I3442/AT,I1417/B

January 2022 - SMITHS INTERCONNECT - 测试报告 - Revision 13.10 代理服务技术支持批量订货

X波段无源元件

型号- C82124/A,62104/A,8085/H,I7696/A,I90102/D,I8084/B,I80120/A,I7286/A,I7090/B,I82124/A,C85105/D,C90100/J,C89107/H,71121/A,I104124/A,I94118/A,I70105/A,C94118/A,C6786/A,C7696/A,C7291/A

2022/1/11 - SMITHS INTERCONNECT - 商品及供应商介绍 - Version 1.0 代理服务技术支持批量订货查看更多版本

国防连接解决方案

2021 - SMITHS INTERCONNECT - 商品及供应商介绍 - Version2.0 代理服务技术支持批量订货查看更多版本

C7188/DA Microstrip Circulators

描述- 本资料介绍了多种型号的微带环状器（Microstrip Circulators），涵盖了从4.5 GHz到27 GHz的不同频率范围。这些环状器设计用于满足军事和太空环境的要求，具有低重量和定制化工程解决方案的特点。资料提供了不同型号的详细信息，包括隔离度、插入损耗、VSWR、工作温度、功率处理能力和封装代码。

型号- C900100/DA,C177212/DA,C850115/DA,C4550/DA,C800110/DA,C9092/DA,C900110/DA,C160180/DA,C7085/DA,C5971/DA,C175180/DG,C100110/DA,C129145/DF,C150180/DG,C5258/DA,C100118/DC,C7188/DA

01/03 - SMITHS INTERCONNECT - 数据手册代理服务技术支持批量订货

K波段无源元件

描述- Smiths Interconnect 提供一系列 K 波段无源组件，专为卫星通信有效载荷在地球同步轨道（GEO）、中地球轨道（MEO）和低地球轨道（LEO）中的应用而设计。这些组件经过广泛的频率范围优化，并具备内部测试设施进行筛选和认证。产品包括波导隔离器、环行器和同轴隔离器等。

型号- 19TE110,I190220/A,I233236/A,I190220/B,19HD353,I177220/H,I255270/A,C173202/C,19TE111,I173220/A,19TM107,19TM106,I173220/C,I235240/A,19TE109,19CD328,19HD359,19HD358,I178202/J,I178202/H

2021/10/6 - SMITHS INTERCONNECT - 数据手册 - Version 1.0 代理服务技术支持批量订货

符合空间要求的微波设备和铁氧体元件

February 2018 - SMITHS INTERCONNECT - 技术文档代理服务技术支持批量订货

Smiths Interconnect 衰减器选型表

Smiths Interconnect推出高可靠性无源温补衰减器系列产品和固定衰减器系列产品，无源温补衰减器系列产品：产品可覆盖DC-40G，具备高的衰减精度，衰减值从0~10dB可选。固定衰减器系列：0.1到400W的功率等级，0~30dB的衰减值可选，并具有贴片、法兰、同轴等多封装类型。

产品型号	品类	Size(mm)	Impedance(Ω)	Frequency Range(GHz)	TCA Tolerance(dB/dB/˚C)	VSWR (Typical)	Power Rating(W、mW)	Operating Temperature(℃)	Substrate	Resistive Material	Terminal Material
TVA0500N07W1S	ATTENUATOR	1.52mmx1.91mm[0.060inx0.075in]	50Ω	DC-6GHz	±0.001dB/dB/˚C	1.30@1GHz	2.0W	-55˚C to 150˚C	Alumina	Thick Film	Thick Film, Nickel Barrier with Solder Plate or Lead Free Finish Gold and Wire Bondable Options Available