A ku-band diplexer based on 3dB directional couplers made by plastic additive manufacturing

Abstract

This paper deals with a study on multiplexer topology based on 3dB couplers. A diplexer in Ku-band was conceived and printed using material jetting (Polyjet®) and Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technologies for this purpose. The different parts composing the diplexer are separately tested. In a first step, 3 dB directional couplers are printed with both technologies experimentally confirming the expected behavior. 4 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">th</sup> order printed TE101 mode filters are tested as well, also providing sufficient performances (unloaded Q around 600) for the purpose of this paper. After assembling the different 3D printed parts composing this diplexer, the measured response confirms the reliability of the different manufacturing techniques and the robustness of this multiplexer technology.