News from Filtran Microcircuits

by Joseph Kranitz

Filtran Microcircuits' unique capabilities in fine-line circuit fabrication continue to bring new opportunities to this Merrimac subsidiary. Two of Filtran's latest achievements, in military and consumer applications, presented interesting challenges:

Power divider module beats the heat

Filtran has just delivered prototypes of a unique power divider subsystem for the coming upgrade to the phased array radar system. The project, for a major defense contractor, is being conducted jointly by Filtran, and engineers at Merrimac's West Caldwell, NJ, facility.

The application requires multiple four-way power dividers to be integrated in a compact module that meets demanding environmental requirements for shipboard operation. Filtran etched the fine lines required by the circuit, and Merrimac added the chip resistors inside the power divider that provide the desired isolation as well as small, edge-launched connectors required by the specification. To remove the heat generated by the resistors, Filtran first sputtered and then plated copper on the back of the chip to form a thick plate for heat sinking. The result is module that measures only 4 in. x 3 in. x 0.08 in. thick yet delivers optimum RF performance.

Adaptive cruise control project still humming

Filtran continues to fine-tune the circuits it is crafting for a customer who supplies a 77-GHz radar system to DaimlerChrysler for an adaptive cruise control system installed in Mercedes vehicles. Our customer chose Filtran because it was the only company that could create the fine-line circuits required by the millimeter-wave system and deliver them in large numbers in a timely manner.

The circuits form a portion of the millimeter-wave radar that is the sensor for the system. At such a high operating frequency, the circuits require extremely tight tolerances and precision etching that is beyond the capabilities of most fabricators.

Since the project began, Filtran has supplied thousands of fine-line etched circuits, and has continued to enhance its production techniques in order to maintain tight delivery times. For more information on Filtran, call Filtran Microcuits Inc. at (613) 737-0706, or send an e-mail to JKranitz@filtranmicro.com.

Joseph Kranitz is Director of Sales, Filtran Microcuits Inc.