Microwave filtering amplifiers

Filtering microwave amplifiers have become a topic of interest because of the need for devices capable of isolating the system itself and avoiding interference from other systems. Key subsystems in communication receivers and transmitters are the microwave amplifiers, either low-noise amplifiers (LNA) or solid-state power amplifiers (SSPA). Different topologies have been proposed in the last years and a big research effort has been devoted to filtering structures, either in the input matching network (IMN) or output matching network (OMN). The subject of study of this master thesis is the design of a filtering microwave amplifier to be operated at 4 GHz. As a continuation of my bachelor final project -where the subject of study was the design of a frequency-switchable microwave amplifier that could be operated at three different frequencies (3.2 GHz, 4 GHz and 4.8 GHz) in the 5G band- this master thesis proposes a methodology to improve the filtering capabilities of such components. To this end, several filtering structures are studied, taking into account the trade-off between performance and circuit size. The theoretical design procedure is studied, providing insights in the problems that can appear for different filtering topologies. The IMN is based on a simple line-stub structure, and the OMN is a filtering structure which is simulated and fabricated in multiple forms to provide insights in the structures available. The amplifier behavior is simulated using circuit and 2.5D electromagnetic simulations and optimized. The amplifier was fabricated on a conventional microwave substrate, and its S parameters and noise figure were measured and compared to simulations, showing a good agreement with simulations.Los amplificadores de microondas se han convertido en un tema de interés a causa de la necesidad de componentes capaces de aislar el sistema frente a interferencias de otros circuitos. Un ejemplo de subsistemas destacables en transmisores y receptores de comunicación son los amplificadores de microondas, tanto de bajo ruido (LNA) como de potencia (PA). Durante los últimos años se han propuesto diferentes tipos de filtraje y se ha invertido mucha investigación en los componentes, tanto en la red de adaptación de entrada (IMN) como de salida (OMN). El tema de estudio de esta tesis de máster es el diseño de un amplificador de microondas filtrante a la frecuencia de 4 GHz. Como continuación de mi trabajo de fin de grado \cite{TFGPol} -donde el tema de estudia era el diseño de un amplificador de microondas conmutable que se podía utilizar a tres frecuencias distintas (3.2 GHz, 4 GHz y 4.8 GHz) en la banda de 5G-, esta tesis de máster propone una metodología para mejorar las capacidades filtrantes de estos componentes. Con este objetivo, se estudian diversas estructuras filtrantes, teniendo en cuenta el balance entre resultados y tamaño del circuito. Se estudia el método de diseño teórico, aportando detalles sobre los problemas que pueden aparecer en diversas tipologías de filtro. La red de entrada (IMN) se basa en una estructura simple de línea-stub y la red de salida (OMN) es una estructura filtrante, que es simulada y fabricada utilizando diferentes formas para aportar detalles sobre las diversas estructuras disponibles. Se ha simulado el comportamiento del amplificador utilizando simulaciones 2.5D electromagnéticas y se ha optimizado. El amplificador se fabricó en un sustrato de microondas convencional y sus parámetros S y factor de ruido F fueron medidos y comparados con las simulaciones, mostrando una buena concordancia entre ambos resultados.Els amplificadors filtrants de microones s'han convertit en un tema d'interès a causa de la necessitat de components capaços d'aïllar el sistema d'interferències d'altres circuits. Un exemple de subsistemes destacables en transmissors i receptors de comunicacions són els amplificadors de microones, tant de baix soroll (LNA) com de potència (PA). Durant els últims anys s'han proposat diferents estructures filtrants i s'ha dut a terme molta investigació, tant en les xarxes d'entrada (IMN) com en les xarxes de sortida (OMN). El tema d'estudi d'aquesta tesi de màster és el disseny d'un amplificador de microones filtrant a la freqüència de 4 GHz. Com a continuació del meu treball de fi de grau -on el tema d'estudi era el disseny d'un amplificador de microones commutable que es podia utilitzar a tres freqüències diferents (3.2 GHz, 4 GHz i 4.8 GHz) a la banda de 5G-, aquesta tesi de màster proposa una metodologia per millorar les capacitats filtrants d'aquests components. Amb aquest objectiu, s'estudien diverses estructures filtrants, tenint en compte el balanç entre resultats i mida del circuit. S'estudia el mètode de disseny teòric, aportant detalls sobre els problemes que poden aparèixer en diverses tipologies de filtre. La xarxa d'entrada (IMN) es basa en una estructura simple de línia-stub i la xarxa de sortida (OMN) és una estructura filtrant, que és simulada i fabricada utilitzant diverses formes per aportar detalls sobre les diverses estructures disponibles. S'ha simulat el comportament de l'amplificador utilitzant simulacions 2.5D electromagnètiques i s'ha optimitzat. S'ha fabricat l'amplificador utilitzant un substrat de microones convencional i els seus paràmetres S i factor de soroll F s'han mesurat comparats amb les simulacions, mostrant una bona concordança entre ambdós resultats

Experimental realization of an ideal Floquet disordered system

The atomic Quantum Kicked Rotor is an outstanding "quantum simulator" for the exploration of transport in disordered quantum systems. Here we study experimentally the phase-shifted quantum kicked rotor, which we show to display properties close to an ideal disordered quantum system, opening new windows into the study of Anderson physics.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, submitted to New Journal of Physics focus issue on Quantum Transport with Ultracold Atom

Difference map and its electronic circuit realization

"In this paper we study the dynamical behavior of the one-dimensional discrete-time system, the so-called iterated map. Namely, a bimodal quadratic map is introduced which is obtained as an amplification of the difference between well-known logistic and tent maps. Thus, it is denoted as the so-called difference map. The difference map exhibits a variety of behaviors according to the selection of the bifurcation parameter. The corresponding bifurcations are studied by numerical simulations and experimentally. The stability of the difference map is studied by means of Lyapunov exponent and is proved to be chaotic according to Devaney’s definition of chaos. Later on, a design of the electronic implementation of the difference map is presented. The difference map electronic circuit is built using operational amplifiers, resistors and an analog multiplier. It turns out that this electronic circuit presents fixed points, periodicity, chaos and intermittency that match with high accuracy to the corresponding values predicted theoretically.

Analysis of System Imperfections in a Photonics-Assisted Instantaneous Frequency Measurement Receiver Based on a Dual-Sideband Suppressed-Carrier Modulation

[EN] Instantaneous frequency measurement receivers are a well-established technology that is used for the ultrafast characterization of pulsed microwave signals over a broad bandwidth. Recently, numerous photonic approaches to instantaneous frequency measurement (IFM) have been proposed and experimentally demonstrated, with the ultimate aim of leveraging the benefits of optical technology to improve the performance of already existent electronic solutions. Despite the numerous results, not so much attention has been paid so far to understand the subtle implications that system imperfections can have on realistic photonics-based IFM receivers. Here, we focus our attention on one of the most promising among these IFM techniques, which is based on optical power monitoring of a dual-sideband suppressed-carrier modulation after a Mach Zehnder interferometer (MZI) filter. We develop a time-domain model for the rigorous analysis of all major optical and electrical effects, including amplitude imbalance and phase errors in the modulator and the MZI, as well as on-pulse RF phase/frequency modulation. Simulations are then used to illustrate the substantial effect that a nonperfectly suppressed optical carrier can have on system performance. More importantly, it is shown that in a nonideal situation, the system amplitude comparison function critically depends on input RF power, thus greatly limiting the dynamic range of the photonics-based receiver. Some approaches to solve these issues are also discussed.This work was supported by projects TEC2010-21337 (ATOMIC), FEDER UPVOV10-3E-492, FEDER UPVOV08-3E-008, TEC2013-42332-P (PIC4ESP), and PROMETEO 2013/012. The work of J. S. Fandino was supported by Grant FPU-2010 (ref: AP2010-1595).Sánchez Fandiño, JA.; Muñoz Muñoz, P. (2015). Analysis of System Imperfections in a Photonics-Assisted Instantaneous Frequency Measurement Receiver Based on a Dual-Sideband Suppressed-Carrier Modulation. Journal of Lightwave Technology. 33(2):293-303. https://doi.org/10.1109/JLT.2014.2378331S29330333

Microwave and Millimeter-Wave Multi-Band Power Amplifiers, Power Combining Networks, and Transmitter Front-End in Silicon Germanium BiCMOS Technology

This dissertation presents new circuit architectures and techniques for designing high performance microwave and millimeter-wave circuits using 0.18-µm SiGe BiCMOS process for advanced wireless communication and sensing systems. The high performance single- and multi-band power amplifiers working in microwave and millimeter-wave frequency ranges are proposed. A 10-19, 23-39, and 33-40 GHz concurrent tri-band power amplifier in the respective Ku-, K-, and Ka-band using the distributed amplifier structure is presented first. Instead of utilizing multi-band matching networks, this amplifier is realized based on distributed amplifier structure and two active notch filters employed at each gain cell to form tri-band response. In addition, a power amplifier operating across the entire K-band is proposed. By employing lumped-element Wilkinson power divider and combiner, it produces high output power, high gain, and power added efficiency characteristics over broadband due to its inherent low-pass filtering response. Moreover, a highly integrated V-band power amplifier is presented. This power amplifier consists of four medium unit power cells combined with a four-way parallel power combining network. Secondly, microwave and millimeter-wave power combining and dividing networks are proposed. A wideband power divider and combiner operating up to 67 GHz is developed by adopting capacitive loading slow-wave transmission line to reduce size as well as insertion loss. Also, two-way and 16-way 24/60 GHz dual-band power divider networks in the K/V-band are proposed. The two-way dual-band power divider is realized with a slow-wave transmission line and two shunt connected LC resonators in order to minimize the chip size as well as insertion loss. Furthermore, a 16-way dual-band power dividing and combining network is developed for a dual-band 24/60 GHz 4×4 array system. This network incorporates a two-way dual-band power divider, lumped-element based Wilkinson power dividers, and multi-section transmission line based Wilkinson structures. Finally, a K-/V-band dual-band transmitter front-end is proposed. To realize the transmitter, a diplexer with good diplexing performance and K- and V-band variable gain amplifiers having low phase variation with gain tuning are designed. The transmitter is integrated with two diplexers, K- and V-band variable gain amplifiers, and two power amplifiers resulting in high gain, high output power, and low-phase variation with all gain control stages

Spiral attractor created by vector solitons

Mode-locked lasers emitting a train of femtosecond pulses called dissipative solitons are an enabling technology for metrology, high-resolution spectroscopy, fibre optic communications, nano-optics and many other fields of science and applications. Recently, the vector nature of dissipative solitons has been exploited to demonstrate mode locked lasing with both locked and rapidly evolving states of polarisation. Here, for an erbium-doped fibre laser mode locked with carbon nanotubes, we demonstrate the first experimental and theoretical evidence of a new class of slowly evolving vector solitons characterized by a double-scroll chaotic polarisation attractor substantially different from Lorenz, Rössler and Ikeda strange attractors. The underlying physics comprises a long time scale coherent coupling of two polarisation modes. The observed phenomena, apart from the fundamental interest, provide a base for advances in secure communications, trapping and manipulation of atoms and nanoparticles, control of magnetisation in data storage devices and many other areas

Investigation of advanced Butler matrices with integrated filter functions

This study presents a novel synthesis technique for Butler matrices that include filter transfer functions through a circuit based only on resonators. The Butler matrix is the fundamental building block to split and recombine the signals in Multi-port Power Amplifiers, where multiple inputs are delivered to a bank of amplifiers sharing them, and later recombined through an output network. However, to suppress spurious frequencies generated by the amplifiers or to provide near-band rejection in order not to interfere with other transmission/receiving bands, separate filtering is often required. Here, the traditional properties of the Butler matrix are included together with filtering selectivity into one single device based only on coupled resonators. An analytical synthesis procedure of the coupling matrix is presented here for the first time. The proposed solution has shown significant advantages in terms of size reduction compared to the traditional baseline consisting of a Butler matrix plus a bank of band-pass filters. Based on the technique proposed, three prototypes are designed and manufactured: a 180° hybrid coupler based on resonators and two versions of a 4x4 Butler matrix with filtering, built with additive manufacturing and with milling. Experimental measurements are in good agreement with simulations and theoretical expectations

Coordinated Jacobian transpose control and its application to a climbing machine

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 1994.Includes bibliographical references.by Craig Daniel Sunada.M.S