Multi-material additive manufacture of radiofrequency devices and systems

Abstract

In this thesis I will describe a series of novel methods for additively manufacturing radio frequency devices. Additive manufacturing is a rapidly advancing set of technologies which enable the fabrication of structures which could not be produced through traditional manufacturing methods. In the following work I have carried out high frequency characterization of printed conductors and dielectric materials. I have demonstrated the ability to design and fabricate complex RF feed structures with performance comparable to PCB devices. I demonstrated the ability to conformally fabricate complex radiating structures. I present novel printed RF and DC snap on connectors for feeding printed circuits. I show the ability to pick and place active components into RF circuits and make reliable electrical connections to them. Finally, I demonstrate a novel method for the design and fabrication of 3D graded index structures.