Structure for making microwave circuits and components

Claim 1

A structure for use in the manufacture of microwave circuits and microwave components, in which mechanical and electrical functions are integrated overall but dissociated locally, comprising: a mechanically stiff hollow enclosure contiguous with and surrounding a slab of dielectric material solely on the lateral sides of the dielectric slab and forming an assembly; a conductive element and a metal ground plane disposed respectively on opposite, upper and lower sides of the mechanically stiff enclosure and the dielectric slab, to the outside of said assembly; whereby the mechanically stiff enclosure provides a global support for a microwave circuit or component particularly useful in space applications having lightness, stiffness, resistance to high temperatures, low degassing and good dimensional stability, and wherein said mechanically stiff enclosure is made of one of an insulating material and a conductive material.