A radio frequency (RF) transmission line is described. The RF transmission line includes a first ground line, a second ground line, and a signal line disposed on a substrate and forming a coplanar waveguide. A plasma limiter feature is integrated into an internal surface of one or more of the first ground line, the second ground line, and the signal line. The plasma limiter decreases a gap distance between the signal line and the associated ground line. The gap distance is selected, together with a gas pressure, to control a voltage at which the gas within the gap breaks down, targeted at a breakdown power of 1 W across a wide bandwidth. The plasma limiter thus limits a power transmitted by way of the RF transmission line for protecting a sensitive integrated circuit.

A radio frequency (RF) transmission line is described. The RF transmission line includes a first ground line, a second ground line, and a signal line disposed on a substrate and forming a coplanar waveguide. A plasma limiter feature is integrated into an internal surface of one or more of the first ground line, the second ground line, and the signal line. The plasma limiter decreases a gap distance between the signal line and the associated ground line. The gap distance is selected, together with a gas pressure, to control a voltage at which the gas within the gap breaks down, targeted at a breakdown power of 1 W across a wide bandwidth. The plasma limiter thus limits a power transmitted by way of the RF transmission line for protecting a sensitive integrated circuit.