Loss and Dispersion Limitations in mm-Wave Dielectric Waveguides for High-Speed Links

We investigate the fundamental physical constraints and tradeoffs in common millimeter-wave dielectric waveguides proposed for high speed links. We consider waveguides with different geometries, dimensions and operating frequencies, and show that the capacity of optimized longer links is limited by the dispersion and not necessarily the loss. In our analysis, the required capacity and distance determine the choice of waveguide and the operating frequency, which would then determine the energy efficiency of the link. Our generic theoretical analyses are in agreement with the measurements presented in the recent literature.