Symbolic framework for linear active circuits based on port equivalence using limit variables

Published versio

Time- and frequency-domain modeling of passive interconnection structures in field and circuit analysis

Die vorliegende Arbeit widmet sich den theoretischen Grundlagen und numerischen Verfahren zur Analyse passiver Verbindungsstrukturen auf der Basis der elektromagnetischen Feld- und Netzwerktheorie. Die Simulation elektromagnetischer Phänomene gewinnt eine immer stärkere Bedeutung sowohl im Entwicklungsprozess elektronischer Komponenten und Systeme als auch bei der EMV-Analyse. Ständig steigende Operationsfrequenzen erfordern die Einbeziehung der passiven Verbindungsstrukturen in die Analyse sowohl im Frequenz- als auch im Zeitbereich. Dabei wächst insbesondere die Bedeutung von Zeitbereichsmethoden bei der Behandlung elektrodynamischer Probleme infolge zunehmender Schaltfrequenzen und immer steilerer Anstiegsflanken. Frequenzbereichsmethoden in Kombination mit der Fourierrücktransformation erfordern bei extrem breiten Frequenzspektren einen hohen Rechenaufwand, um Zeitbereichslösungen mit hinreichender Genauigkeit zu erhalten. Im Falle von Nichtlinearitäten sind Zeitbereichsmethoden sogar die einzige Möglichkeit. Aus diesem Grunde wird in der vorliegenden Arbeit ein besonderer Schwerpunkt auf die Zeitbereichsmodellierung der Verbindungsstrukturen einschließlich der Schaltungsumgebung sowie die Behandlung mittels Netzwerksimulatoren gelegt.  Throughout the first period of electrical-engineering history, passive interconnections, i.e., conductors serving as the connection of electronic devices or system components, were typically not considered in the system modeling, except for some special cases and "electrically long" structures, which were successfully described via the transmission-line theory. This changed dramatically after the wide-spread introduction of digital, radio-frequency, and microwave technologies, which required transmission via the passive interconnection structures of high-frequency (HF) signals. The parasitic effects introduced by passive interconnections at high frequencies have motivated modern digital-system designers to consider such interconnections more precisely. &nbsp

Symbolic Analysis of Large-Scale Networks

A new approach to the problem of symbolic circuit analysis of large-scale circuits is presented in this report. The methodology has been implemented in a computer program called SCAPP (Symbolic Circuit Analysis Program with Partitioning). The method solves the problem by utilizing a hierarchical network approach and the sequence of expressions concept rather than a topological approach and the single expression idea which have dominated symbolic analysis in the past. The method employs further modifications to the modified nodal analysis (MNA) technique by allowing ideal opamps in the matrix formulation process and introducing the reduced modified analysis matrix (RMNA). The analysis algorithm is most efficient when network partitioning is used. A node-tearing binary partitioning algorithm based on the concepts of loop index and tearing index is also presented. The partitioning technique is very suitable for the hierarchical network analysis approach

Composite Operational Amplifiers And Their Applications In Active Networks

A new general approach is presented for extending the useful operating frequencies of; linear active networks in general, inverting integrators, finite gain amplifiers, and active filters in particular, realized using Operational Amplifiers (OA). This is achieved by replacing each OA in the active network by a Composite Operational Amplifier (CNOA), constructed using N OA\u27s. The technique of generating the CNO\u27s for any given N is proposed. The realizations, employing the CNOA\u27s generated, are examined according to a stringent performance criterion satisfying the important properties such as extended bandwidth, stability with one and two pole OA model, low sensitivity to the active and passive components and OA mismatch, wide dynamic range...etc. Several families of CNOA\u27s for N = 2, 3, and 4, satisfy the suggested performance criterion. The CNOA\u27s thus obtained are found useful in most frequently used linear active networks, namely, functional building blocks (finite gain-positive, negative and differential-amplifiers) and inverting integrators. Several applications of CNOA\u27s in active filters illustrate clearly the considerable improvements of the filters performance when composite amplifiers were used. This led to the introduction of two useful applications, a programmable filter and the use of CNOA\u27s in inductance simulations. The results of the use of CNOA\u27s in different active networks are given and shown theoretically and experimentally to compare favorably with the state of the art realizations using the same number of OA\u27s

Reduction of network models with a large number of sources

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ELECTRON DEVICE NONLINEAR MODELLING FOR MICROWAVE CIRCUIT DESIGN

The electron device modelling is a research topic of great relevance, since the performances required to devices are continuously increasing in terms of frequency, power and linearity: new technologies are affirming themselves, bringing new challenges for the modelling community. In addition, the use of monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMIC) is also increasing, making necessary the availability, in the circuit design phase, of models which are computationally efficient and at the same more and more accurate. The importance of modelling is even more evident by thinking at the wide area covered by microwave systems: terrestrial broadband, satellite communications, automotive applications, but also military industry, emergency prevention systems or medical instrumentations. This work contains a review of the empirical modelling approach, providing the description of some well-known equivalent-circuit and black-box models. In addition, an original modelling approach is described in details, together with the various possible applications: modelling of nonquasi-static phenomena as well as of low-frequency dispersive effects. A wide experimental validation is provided, for GaAs- and GaN-based devices. Other modelling issues are faced up, like the extraction of accurate models for Cold-FET or the more convenient choice of the data-interpolator in table-based models. Finally, the device degradation is also treated: a new measurement setup will be presented, aimed to the characterization of the device breakdown walkout under actual operating conditions for power amplifiers

An investigation into multi-spectral excitation power sources for Electrical Impedance Tomography

Electrical Impedance Tomography is a non-invasive, non-ionizing, non-destructive and painless imaging technology that can distinguish between cancerous and non-cancerous cells by reproducing tomographic images of the electrical impedance distribution within the body. The primary scope of this thesis is the study of hardware modules required for an EIT system. The key component in any EIT system is the excitation system. Impedance measurement can be performed by applying either a current or voltage through emitting electrodes and then measuring the resulting voltages or current on receiving electrodes. In this research, both types of excitation systems are investigated and developed for the Sussex EIM system. Firstly, a current source (CS) excitation system is investigated and developed. The performance of the excitation system degrades due to the unwanted capacitance within the system. Hence two CS circuits: Enhance Howland Source (EHS) and EHS combined with a General impedance convertor (GIC: to minimise the unwanted capacitance) are evaluated. Another technique (guard-amplifier) has also been investigated and developed to minimise the effect of stray capacitance. The accuracy of both types of CS circuits are evaluated in terms of its output impedance along with other performance parameters for different loading conditions and the results are compared to show their performance. Both CS circuits were affected by the loading voltage problem. A bootstrapping technique is investigated and integrated with both CS circuits to overcome the loading voltage problem. The research shows that both CS circuits were unable to achieve a high frequency bandwidth (i.e. ≥10MHz) and were limited to 2-3MHz. Alternatively, a discrete components current source was also investigated and developed to achieve a high frequency bandwidth and other desirable performance parameters. The research also introduces a microcontroller module to control the multiplexing involved for different CS circuit configurations via serial port interface software running on a PC. For breast cancer diagnosis, the interesting characteristics of breast tissues mostly lie above 1MHz, therefore a wideband excitation source covering high frequencies (i.e. ≥1-10MHz) is required. Hence, a second type of the excitation system is investigated. A constant voltage source (VS) circuit was developed for a wide frequency bandwidth with low output impedance. The research investigated three VS architectures and based on their initial bandwidth comparison, a differential VS system was developed to provide a wide frequency bandwidth (≥10MHz). The research presents the performance of the developed VS excitation system for different loading configurations reporting acceptable performance parameters. A voltage measurement system is also developed in this research work. Two different differential amplifier circuits were investigated and developed to measure precise differential voltage at a high frequency. The research reports a performance comparison of possible types of excitation systems. Results are compared to establish their relationship to performance parameters: frequency bandwidth, output impedance, SNR and phase difference over a wide bandwidth (i.e. up to 10MHz). The objective of this study is to investigate which design is the most appropriate for constructing a wideband excitation system for the Sussex EIM system or any other EIT based biomedical application with wide a bandwidth requirement

An investigation into multi-spectral excitation power sources for Electrical Impedance Tomography

Electrical Impedance Tomography is a non-invasive, non-ionizing, non-destructive and painless imaging technology that can distinguish between cancerous and non-cancerous cells by reproducing tomographic images of the electrical impedance distribution within the body. The primary scope of this thesis is the study of hardware modules required for an EIT system. The key component in any EIT system is the excitation system. Impedance measurement can be performed by applying either a current or voltage through emitting electrodes and then measuring the resulting voltages or current on receiving electrodes. In this research, both types of excitation systems are investigated and developed for the Sussex EIM system. Firstly, a current source (CS) excitation system is investigated and developed. The performance of the excitation system degrades due to the unwanted capacitance within the system. Hence two CS circuits: Enhance Howland Source (EHS) and EHS combined with a General impedance convertor (GIC: to minimise the unwanted capacitance) are evaluated. Another technique (guard-amplifier) has also been investigated and developed to minimise the effect of stray capacitance. The accuracy of both types of CS circuits are evaluated in terms of its output impedance along with other performance parameters for different loading conditions and the results are compared to show their performance. Both CS circuits were affected by the loading voltage problem. A bootstrapping technique is investigated and integrated with both CS circuits to overcome the loading voltage problem. The research shows that both CS circuits were unable to achieve a high frequency bandwidth (i.e. ≥10MHz) and were limited to 2-3MHz. Alternatively, a discrete components current source was also investigated and developed to achieve a high frequency bandwidth and other desirable performance parameters. The research also introduces a microcontroller module to control the multiplexing involved for different CS circuit configurations via serial port interface software running on a PC. For breast cancer diagnosis, the interesting characteristics of breast tissues mostly lie above 1MHz, therefore a wideband excitation source covering high frequencies (i.e. ≥1-10MHz) is required. Hence, a second type of the excitation system is investigated. A constant voltage source (VS) circuit was developed for a wide frequency bandwidth with low output impedance. The research investigated three VS architectures and based on their initial bandwidth comparison, a differential VS system was developed to provide a wide frequency bandwidth (≥10MHz). The research presents the performance of the developed VS excitation system for different loading configurations reporting acceptable performance parameters. A voltage measurement system is also developed in this research work. Two different differential amplifier circuits were investigated and developed to measure precise differential voltage at a high frequency. The research reports a performance comparison of possible types of excitation systems. Results are compared to establish their relationship to performance parameters: frequency bandwidth, output impedance, SNR and phase difference over a wide bandwidth (i.e. up to 10MHz). The objective of this study is to investigate which design is the most appropriate for constructing a wideband excitation system for the Sussex EIM system or any other EIT based biomedical application with wide a bandwidth requirement

Some theoretical aspects of immittance conversion and inversion in the context of active RC networks

Imperial Users onl