In this paper, the discontinuity of a flip chip transition between a microstrip line and a coplanar waveguide is investigated and modeled using the finite-difference time-domain method (FDTD) to predict the overall S-parameters of the package. Effects of the bump and via interconnects on the package performance are investigated and discussed. This includes the effects of different staggered transitions and ground connects on the package performance. A reduction of about 10 dB in the bump and via reflections can be achieved by staggering the signal (bump) and the ground connects (bump/via). A staggering distance of about twice the slot width gave minimum reflection over a wide band of frequencies. Moreover, the larger the relative distance between the ground and the center connects the less the reflection due to the discontinuity. Finally, the computed S-parameters of the flip chip package using the FDTD solution are used to develop an equivalent circuit model for the transition discontinuity over a wide frequency band. The equivalent circuit model of the microstrip to coplanar waveguide discontinuity includes more elements and is more complex than other types of transitions. A TEE or PI circuit model has been used to approximate the general circuit model of the discontinuity. Good agreement has been obtained between the S-parameters of the FDTD model and the equivalent circuit models over a wide frequency band.
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