The researchers have developed ultra-high precision circuit measurement technology to measure the transmission characteristics of high frequency transmission lines (coplanar waveguides) fabricated using printing technology.

Developed probe position control technology

Large amounts of data can be transmitted at high speeds in the frequency bands over 100 GHz, so 5th generation (5G) mobile wireless communication technology is being developed in preparation for the launch of service in 2019, and 6th generation (6G) mobile wireless communication is also being investigated. Devices and circuits are measured by contacting high frequency probes to the circuit electrode, but it is a challenge to control the contact conditions (contact pressure and position) with manual measurement methods.

The researchers have developed an accurate positioning method that does not position the electrode to be contacted by the high frequency probe visually or using a camera, and instead uses high-precision probing technology based on an analysis of parameters measured using an actual probe. This realized excellent reproducibility of measurement with a measured reflection coefficient value variance (standard deviation) at 300 GHz that is approximately 1/3 that of the conventional method. This enabled high precision measurement of the characteristics of coplanar waveguides fabricated using printing technology in the ultra-high frequency range over 300 GHz.

The researchers intend to demonstrate operation of sensors and devices fabricated using printing technology in the frequency range from microwave to millimeter-wave bands, and investigate further increases in frequency (expand coverage to 500 GHz, etc.) for the measurement technology.