Dielectric loaded waveguide for low loss signal distributions and small form factor antennas

Abstract

This document describes waveguides that use a combination of air dielectric filled channels and non-air dielectric filled channels to obtain beneficial attributes of both air and dielectric waveguides. EM energy loss inside the waveguide compares to a traditional air waveguide. However, with a smaller size than a comparable air waveguide, the example waveguide can occupy less area of a chip or package than a comparable air waveguide of a traditional design. The waveguide has a routing portion with hollow channels filled with an air dielectric. Radiation channels corresponding to each of the hollow channels are loaded with a non-air dielectric. A surface of each of the radiation channels allows EM energy to escape the non-air dielectric. The described waveguide may be particularly advantageous for use in an automotive context, for example, detecting objects in a roadway in a travel path of a vehicle.