Abstract: A sculpted groundplane is provided so that monolithic dielectric structures are effectively shielded from their immediate surroundings through the implementation of transversely elongated “vias” which form continuous walls that effectively enclose the circuit elements. Further, these walls incorporate a ground plane within this same substrate, which allows for the realization of such structures on a single substrate for microstrip devices, and for realization of stripline structures utilizing only two substrates.

Abstract: A project data management system and method are provided wherein any user associated with a project may access any of the information relevant to the project regardless of the location of each user or the information and regardless of what tool was used to create the information. The system also permits user to interrelate information items from different locations or different tools. In a preferred embodiment, each user may use a typical web browser application to access the information. The system may check and maintain the integrity of the information and/or alert each user when there is an inconsistency in any of the information associated with the project. The system makes the access, integration and monitoring of information between a distributed project team manageable and reduces the manual effort and time spent accessing information, determining the relationship between different items of information, and avoiding inconsistencies between different pieces of information.