Dorado has developed a new microwave circuit concept that is referred to as a Ferrite Circuit Board (FCB). This arrangement allows a variety of microstrip components including isolators and circulators (that can only use a ferrite substrate) to be integrated on a single ferrite substrate. Ferrite has the same electrical and mechanical characteristics as the dielectric boards used in most thin film microwave devices. There are many advantages in using this approach. The new FCB concept will minimize insertion losses by reducing the length of circuit lines and those losses that are normally attributed to the connections between devices. There will be lower labor and assembly costs since fewer connections will be made. The biggest cost savings will result from the unit cost of the FCB when compared to the total cost of individual devices that would be used in the overall system that it replaces. In addition, FCBs can take up far less mounting area.
