Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a microwave signal using two millimeter-wave frequencies. A first millimeter-wave up-conversion frequency, which is generated from a lower frequency source, is used to up-convert a baseband and/or intermediate signal into a first millimeter-wave signal, which is then down-converted into a microwave signal using a second millimeter-wave down-conversion frequency generated from the same lower frequency source. Each of the first and second millimeter-wave frequencies is associated with a phase noise that is higher than a phase noise associated with the lower frequency source, however, the frequency differential between the first millimeter-wave frequency and the second millimeter-wave frequency is free of the higher phase noise, as a result of the two millimeter-wave signal being generated from the single lower frequency source, thereby causing the resultant microwave signal to be free of the higher phase noise as well.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a microwave signal using two millimeter-wave frequencies. A first millimeter-wave up-conversion frequency, which is generated from a lower frequency source, is used to up-convert a baseband and/or intermediate signal into a first millimeter-wave signal, which is then down-converted into a microwave signal using a second millimeter-wave down-conversion frequency generated from the same lower frequency source. Each of the first and second millimeter-wave frequencies is associated with a phase noise that is higher than a phase noise associated with the lower frequency source, however, the frequency differential between the first millimeter-wave frequency and the second millimeter-wave frequency is free of the higher phase noise, as a result of the two millimeter-wave signal being generated from the single lower frequency source, thereby causing the resultant microwave signal to be free of the higher phase noise as well.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing millimeter-wave radio components in synthesizing microwave signals. A first up-conversion frequency generated using millimeter-wave radio components is used to up-convert a baseband signal into a first millimeter-wave signal, which is then down-converted into a microwave signal using a second and lower down-conversion frequency generated using additional millimeter-wave radio components. Using millimeter-wave conversion frequencies allows for tight integration of multiple transmission and reception chains while facilitating good coexistence of different microwave channels, and further allows for a wide span of frequencies over which microwave transmissions can be made.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a millimeter-wave system operative to enhance propagation of millimeter-waves inside a laminate waveguide structure, in which electrical energy has leaked outside the laminated waveguide structure. The system comprises a laminate waveguide structure inside a printed circuit board, and an electrically conductive fence also inside the printed circuit board but outside the laminate waveguide structure. In various embodiments, the electrical energy of millimeter-waves leaks outside the laminate waveguide structure and is reflected by the electrically conducive fence back into the laminate waveguide structure.

Abstract: Various embodiments of millimeter-wave systems on a printed circuit board, including a microstrip, a probe, and an RF integrated circuit, as well as methods for manufacturing said systems. Various embodiments have holes extending through lamina in the PCB, thereby improving radiation propagation. Various embodiments have conductive cages created by multiple through-holes extending through lamina in the PCB, thereby increasing radiation propagation. The manufacture of such systems is easier and less expensive than the manufacture of current systems.

Abstract: A system for injecting and guiding millimeter-waves through a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) including at least two laminas belonging to a PCB, an electrically conductive plating applied on the insulating walls of a cavity formed perpendicularly through the laminas, and optionally a probe located above the cavity printed on a lamina belonging to the PCB. Optionally, the cavity guides millimeter-waves injected by the probe at one side of the cavity to the other side of the cavity.

Abstract: A method for constructing millimeter-wave laminate structures using Printed Circuit Board (PCB) processes includes the following steps: Creating a first pressed laminate structure comprising at least two laminas and a cavity, the cavity is shaped as an aperture of a waveguide, and goes perpendicularly through all laminas of the laminate structure. Plating the cavity with electrically conductive plating, using a PCB plating process. Pressing the first pressed laminate structure together with at least two additional laminas comprising a probe printed on one of the at least two additional laminas, into a PCB comprising the first pressed laminate structure and the additional laminas, such that the cavity is sealed only from one end by the additional laminas and the probe, and the probe is positioned above the cavity.

Abstract: A system enabling interface between a millimeter-wave bare-die and a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). A cavity of depth X is formed in at least one lamina of a PCB. Three electrically conductive pads are printed on one of the laminas of the PCB, the pads optionally reach the edge of the cavity. A bare-die Integrated Circuit having a thickness of optionally X, or a heightened bare-die Integrated Circuit having a thickness of optionally X, output a millimeter-wave signal from three electrically conductive contacts arranged in a ground-signal-ground configuration on an upper side edge of the bare-die Integrated Circuit. The bare-die Integrated Circuit is placed inside the cavity, optionally such that the electrically conductive pads and the upper side edge containing the electrically conductive contacts are arranged side-by-side at substantially the same height. Three bonding wires or strips electrically connect each electrically conductive contact to one of the electrically conductive pads.

Abstract: A system for matching impedances of a bare-die Integrated Circuit and bonding wires. A bare-die Integrated Circuit is configured to output or input, at an impedance of Z3, a millimeter-wave signal from three electrically conductive contacts. Three electrically conductive pads, printed on one of the laminas of a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) are connected to the three electrically conductive contacts via three bonding wires respectively, the bonding wires have a characteristic impedance of Z1, wherein Z1>Z3. One of the electrically conductive pads extends to form a transmission line signal trace of length L, the transmission line signal trace having a first width resulting in characteristic impedance of Z2, wherein Z2>Z3. The transmission line signal trace widens to a second width, higher than the first width, after the length of L, decreasing the characteristic impedance of the transmission line signal trace to substantially Z3 after the length L and onwards.

Abstract: A system for directing electromagnetic millimeter-waves towards a waveguide using an electrically conductive formation within a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). The system includes a waveguide having an aperture and at least two laminas belonging to a PCB. A first electrically conductive surface printed on one of the laminas is located over the aperture such that the first electrically conductive surface covers at least most of the aperture. A plurality of Vertical Interconnect Access (VIA) holes, optionally filled or plated with an electrically conductive material, are electrically connecting the first electrically conductive surface to the waveguide, forming an electrically conductive cage over the aperture. Optionally, a probe printed on one of the laminas of the PCB is located inside the cage and over the aperture.

Abstract: A low-loss interface between a mm-wave integrated circuit and a waveguide comprises a surface having a contact location for said integrated circuit and a waveguide location for fixing a waveguide thereon; a transmission line extending along said surface from said contact location to the waveguide location and extending into the waveguide location as a waveguide feed; and a connection bump on a surface of the mm-wave integrated circuit. The mm-wave integrated circuit RFIC is connected to the surface at the contact location through the connection bump, such as to connect a signal output of the RFIC to the transmission line, thereby providing said low loss interface.

Abstract: A millimeter-wave communication system includes (i) an antenna comprising a reflector and a feed, the feed comprising a first waveguide, (ii) a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) comprising a modem, a processor, and a radio receiver coupled with a probe, the PCB is mechanically fixed to one end of the feed, such that the PCB is mechanically held by the feed, and the probe is located in a position allowing reception of millimeter-waves exiting the first waveguide towards the PCB, (iii) an Ethernet connector, (iv) at least one flexible cable operative to carry Ethernet signals between the first PCB and the Ethernet connector, and (v) a box housing the PCB and the Ethernet connector. The Ethernet connector and the feed are mechanically fixed to the box, and the only mechanical connection between the PCB and the box is via the feed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a millimeter-wave system operative to enhance propagation of millimeter-waves inside a laminate waveguide structure, in which electrical energy has leaked outside the laminated waveguide structure. The system comprises a laminate waveguide structure inside a printed circuit board, and an electrically conductive fence also inside the printed circuit board but outside the laminate waveguide structure. In various embodiments, the electrical energy of millimeter-waves leaks outside the laminate waveguide structure and is reflected by the electrically conducive fence back into the laminate waveguide structure.

Abstract: Millimeter wave radio-frequency integrated circuit device comprises a housing and a millimeter wave radio frequency integrated circuit, the housing comprising a plurality of layers laminated together and two cavities defined by apertures within the layers which are positioned to correspond as the layers are laminated together. The radio frequency integrated circuit is located within the first cavity, and the second cavity serves as a radiating cavity. The RFIC is bonded to a transmission line which connects to the radiating cavity.

Abstract: A method of automatic alignment of two directional beams having a known path attenuation, and an antenna gain pattern, for mutual transmission, comprises: determining a beam width between two angles of minimal detectable connection on either side of a beam maximum; then mapping points onto a scan field in a regular pattern, the pattern based on the beam width, such that a beam with the determined beam width is detected once if the beam is in the scan field at all; scanning the first antenna over the mapped scan points; and for each point allowing the second antenna to scan over all of its own set of mapped scan points, thereby providing a coarse alignment of the two antennas to achieve at least a minimal mutual connection. The coarse alignment may be followed by a fine alignment to maximize the signal.

Abstract: A method for performing rate adaptation of millimeter wave transmissions in a substantially line-of-sight OFDM outdoor system over a radio frequency (RF) channel includes the following. First a channel quality estimator indicative of a quality of an outdoor millimeter-wave RF channel is received. A sequence of parameter changes is defined to dynamically adjust transmission quality for the rate adaptation. The rate adaptation includes dynamic adaptation of bandwidth and at least one other parameter. The sequence is stored as a table of vectors, each vector comprising a combination of parameters where one of parameters is bandwidth. The parameter vectors in the table are dynamically worked through in response to the channel quality estimator.

Abstract: Various embodiments of millimeter-wave systems on a printed circuit board, including a microstrip, a probe, and an RF integrated circuit, as well as methods for manufacturing said systems. Various embodiments have holes extending through lamina in the PCB, thereby improving radiation propagation. Various embodiments have conductive cages created by multiple through-holes extending through lamina in the PCB, thereby increasing radiation propagation. The manufacture of such systems is easier and less expensive than the manufacture of current systems.

Abstract: A millimeter-wave communication system includes (i) an antenna comprising a reflector and a feed, the feed comprising a first waveguide, (ii) a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) comprising a modem, a processor, and a radio receiver coupled with a probe, the PCB is mechanically fixed to one end of the feed, such that the PCB is mechanically held by the feed, and the probe is located in a position allowing reception of millimeter-waves exiting the first waveguide towards the PCB, (iii) an Ethernet connector, (iv) at least one flexible cable operative to carry Ethernet signals between the first PCB and the Ethernet connector, and (v) a box housing the PCB and the Ethernet connector. The Ethernet connector and the feed are mechanically fixed to the box, and the only mechanical connection between the PCB and the box is via the feed.

Abstract: Millimeter wave radio-frequency integrated circuit device comprises a housing and a millimeter wave radio frequency integrated circuit, the housing comprising a plurality of layers laminated together and two cavities defined by apertures within the layers which are positioned to correspond as the layers are laminated together. The radio frequency integrated circuit is located within the first cavity, and the second cavity serves as a radiating cavity. The RFIC is bonded to a transmission line which connects to the radiating cavity.

Abstract: A method for constructing millimeter-wave laminate structures using Printed Circuit Board (PCB) processes includes the following steps: Creating a first pressed laminate structure comprising at least two laminas and a cavity, the cavity is shaped as an aperture of a waveguide, and goes perpendicularly through all laminas of the laminate structure. Plating the cavity with electrically conductive plating, using a PCB plating process. Pressing the first pressed laminate structure together with at least two additional laminas comprising a probe printed on one of the at least two additional laminas, into a PCB comprising the first pressed laminate structure and the additional laminas, such that the cavity is sealed only from one end by the additional laminas and the probe, and the probe is positioned above the cavity.