Miniaturized 24 GHz Radar Positioning Transponder Module

The manufacturing of a 24 GHz radar positioning transponder module is described in this paper. The module is part of a radar positioning system that consists of stationary base units and a mobile transponder to determine the position of tools, components and workpieces in a manufacturing line. The module is fabricated in a multilayer thin film technology. In a first step several microstrip line structures were realized and their RF transmission behavior was characterized and verified by measurements and simulations. In a second step the multi-layer RDL-layout was developed to realize the base substrate of the transponder module. Miniaturized planar patch antennas were designed, simulated and manufactured in thin film technology as well. These antennas were assembled together with RF frontend chips and SMD components onto the substrate. Finally, the module was integrated into the 24 GHz radar positioning system with partners of the NaLoSysPro project consortium.