Consideration for use of an inkjet technology for fabrication of microwave circuits

Abstract

The paper presents characterization of an Inkjet conductor printing technology utilizing silver conductive ink on flexible Kapton sub strate for microwave applications. Microstripring resonator method has been used for measurement in the frequency band up to 20GHz. Specific details related to application of the chosen method along with limitations of a technology on hand are provided. Results of the measurements suggest that the technology can not be used at microwave frequencies due to very low value of Q factor of the resonances and prohibitively high value of insertion loss. Measures to reduce losses have been proposed including the increase of conductor thickness and the increase of substrate thickness.