Space Mapping With Adaptive Response Correction for Microwave Design Optimization

Output space mapping is a technique introduced to enhance the robustness of the space-mapping optimization process in case the space-mapped coarse model cannot provide sufficient matching with the fine model. The technique often works very well; however, in some cases it fails. Especially in the microwave area where the typical model response (e.g., 21) is a highly nonlinear function of the free parameter (e.g., frequency), the output spacemapping correction term may actually increase the mismatch between the surrogate and fine models for points other than the one at which the term was calculated, as in the surrogate model optimization process. In this paper, an adaptive response correction scheme is presented to work in conjunction with space-mapping optimization algorithms. This technique is designed to alleviate the difficulties of the standard output space mapping by adaptive adjustment of the response correction term according to the changes of the space-mapped coarse model response. Examples indicate the robustness of our approach

Power in simplicity with ASM: tracing the aggressive space mapping algorithm over two decades of development and engineering applications

This article presents a historical account and technical reassessment of the most widely used space mapping (SM) approach to efficient design optimization: the Aggressive Space Mapping (ASM) algorithm. It starts from the invention of the space mapping concept, and briefly makes an overview of the most fundamental SM optimization methods developed until now, in which ASM is framed. It reviews over two decades of ASM evolution, in terms of not only the theoretical contributions directly incorporated into the ASM algorithm, but also in terms of its most significant engineering applications publically documented. Clearly, ASM is not the most powerful and advanced space mapping design optimization approach invented until now. However, the historical evidence proves it is the most widely adopted SM optimization method, both in academia and industry. In the author’s opinion, two main characteristics have made of ASM the most popular SM optimization technique: 1) it is simple, and 2) it is very efficient (when it works, it works extremely well). For those reasons, this article also revisits the ASM algorithm, emphasizing key steps for its successful implementation, as well as typical scenarios where ASM may fail. Finally, some future directions regarding ASM are ventured

VHF lumped-element reconfigurable filters design and applications in field-programmable filter array

The increasing demand for limited space in crowded frequency spectrum is creating new challenges to RF frontend communication systems. High gain tunable antennas, tunable filter with high selectivity and isolation, large signal-to-noise ratio tunable low noise amplifiers are demanded. This thesis demonstrates novel tunable filter synthesis that may help in developing solutions for future RF frontend filter applications. The proposed coupling scheme enable the tuning of center frequency, order, response shape, bandwidth, and transmission zero spectral location. Also, this coupling scheme can be used to implement a field-programmable filter arrays (FPFAs) design

New CAD models for spiral inductors and EM coupling for EM based circuit design

This thesis contributes several techniques for electromagnetic-based computer-aided modeling, design, optimization and simulation of RF/microwave components and circuits. First, computer-aided design (CAD) of spiral inductors exploiting full-wave electromagnetic (EM) analysis is proposed. Traditional optimization methods for spiral inductors rely on circuit models and they are inaccurate compared to EM simulations. Space-mapping optimization combines the speed of circuit models and the accuracy of EM simulations. A space-mapping optimization algorithm is proposed which yields an EM-validated spiral inductor design/layout with considerable improvement over those obtained by traditional optimization methods. Second, a very compact composite low-pass filter is presented. It offers good matching properties in the pass-band and features an attenuation pole near the cutoff frequency leading to a sharper attenuation response. The filter is implemented using spiral inductors and metal-insulator-metal capacitors. The filter occupies a compact area of 1.4mm{604}0.8mm which is much smaller than other filters operating in the same frequency range. The measured response of the overall circuit might not match or could be entirely different from the expected response, even if the passive components are designed accurately. This is because coupling between components can play an important role in the circuit performance especially in dense circuits. An efficient and recent CAD model for EM coupling, previously applied to passive EM circuit simulation, is considered. This CAD technique is applied to EM coupling modeling of a nonlinear RFIC consisting of both active and passive components. The efficiency of the technique is demonstrated through an amplifier circuit simulatio

EM-driven miniaturization of high-frequency structures through constrained optimization

The trends afoot for miniaturization of high-frequency electronic devices require integration of active and passive high-frequency circuit elements within a single system. This high level of accomplishment not only calls for a cutting-edge integration technology but also necessitates accommodation of the corresponding circuit components within a restricted space in applications such as implantable devices, internet of things (IoT), or 5G communication systems. At the same time, size reduction does not remain the only demand. The performance requirements of the abovementioned systems form a conjugate demand to that of the size reduction, yet with a contrasting nature. A compromise can be achieved through constrained numerical optimization, in which two kinds of constrains may exist: equality and inequality ones. Still, the high cost of electromagnetic-based (EM-based) constraint evaluations remains an obstruction. This issue can be partly mitigated by implicit constraint handling using the penalty function approach. Nevertheless, securing its performance requires expensive guess-work-based identification of the optimum setup of the penalty coefficients. An additional challenge lies in allocating the design within or in the vicinity of a thin feasible region corresponding to equality constraints. Furthermore, multimodal nature of constrained miniaturization problems leads to initial design dependency of the optimization results. Regardless of the constraint type and the corresponding treatment techniques, the computational expenses of the optimization-based size reduction persist as a main challenge. This thesis attempts to address the abovementioned issues specifically pertaining to optimization-driven miniaturization of high frequency structures by developing relevant algorithms in a proper sequence. The first proposed approach with automated adjustment of the penalty functions is based on the concept of sufficient constraint violation improvement, thereby eliminating the costly initial trial-and-error stage for the identification of the optimum setup of the penalty factors. Another introduced approach, i.e., correction-based treatment of the equality constraints alleviates the difficulty of allocating the design within a thin feasible region where designs satisfying the equality constraints reside. The next developed technique allows for global size reduction of high-frequency components. This approach not only eliminates the aforementioned multimodality issues, but also accelerates the overall global optimization process by constructing a dimensionality-reduced surrogate model over a pre-identified feasible region as compared to the complete parameter search space. Further to the latter, an optimization framework employing multi-resolution EM-model management has been proposed to address the high cost issue. The said technique provides nearly 50 percent average acceleration of the optimization-based miniaturization process. The proposed technique pivots upon a newly-defined concept of model-fidelity control based on a combination of algorithmic metrics, namely convergence status and constraint violation level. Numerical validation of the abovementioned algorithms has also been provided using an extensive set of high-frequency benchmark structures. To the best of the author´s knowledge, the presented study is the first investigation of this kind in the literature and can be considered a contribution to the state of the art of automated high-frequency design and miniaturization

Analysis and Design of Low-Cost Waveguide Filters for Wireless Communications

The area of research of this thesis is built around advanced waveguide filter structures. Waveguide filters and the waveguide technology in general are renowned for high power capacity, low losses and excellent electromagnetic shielding. Waveguide filters are important components in fixed wireless communications as well as in satellite and radar systems. Furthermore, their advantages and utilization become even greater with increase in frequency, which is a trend in modern communication systems because upper frequency bands offer larger channel capacities. However, waveguide filters are relatively bulky and expensive. To comply with more and more demanding miniaturization and cost-cutting requirements, compactness and economical design represent some of the main contemporary focuses of interest. Approaches that are used to achieve this include use of planar inserts to build waveguide discontinuities, additive manufacturing and substrate integration. At the same time, waveguide filters still need to satisfy opposed stringent requirements like small insertion loss, high selectivity and multiband operation. Another difficulty that metal waveguide components face is integration with other circuitry, especially important when solid-state active devices are included. Thus, improvements of interconnections between waveguide and other transmission interfaces are addressed too. The thesis elaborates the following aspects of work: Further analysis and improved explanations regarding advanced waveguide filters with E-plane inserts developed by the Wireless Communications Research Group, using both cross coupled resonators and extracted pole sections (Experiments with higher filter orders, use of tuning screws, degrees of freedom in design, etc. Thorough performance comparison with competing filter technologies) - Proposing novel E-plane filter sections with I-shaped insets - Extension of the E-plane filtering structures with metal fins to new compact dual band filters with high frequency selectivity and miniaturized diplexers. - Introduction of easy-to-build waveguide filters with polymer insert frames and high-performance low-profile cavity filters, taking advantage of enhanced fabrication capabilities when using additive manufacturing - Developing new substrate integrated filters, as well as circuits used to transfer signals between different interfaces Namely, these are substrate integrated waveguide to metal waveguide planar transitions that do not require any modifications of the metal waveguides. Such novel transitions have been designed both for single and orthogonal signal polarizations

Impedance Transformers

Non

Novel Multicarrier Memory Channel Architecture Using Microwave Interconnects: Alleviating the Memory Wall

abstract: The increase in computing power has simultaneously increased the demand for input/output (I/O) bandwidth. Unfortunately, the speed of I/O and memory interconnects have not kept pace. Thus, processor-based systems are I/O and interconnect limited. The memory aggregated bandwidth is not scaling fast enough to keep up with increasing bandwidth demands. The term "memory wall" has been coined to describe this phenomenon. A new memory bus concept that has the potential to push double data rate (DDR) memory speed to 30 Gbit/s is presented. We propose to map the conventional DDR bus to a microwave link using a multicarrier frequency division multiplexing scheme. The memory bus is formed using a microwave signal carried within a waveguide. We call this approach multicarrier memory channel architecture (MCMCA). In MCMCA, each memory signal is modulated onto an RF carrier using 64-QAM format or higher. The carriers are then routed using substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) interconnects. At the receiver, the memory signals are demodulated and then delivered to SDRAM devices. We pioneered the usage of SIW as memory channel interconnects and demonstrated that it alleviates the memory bandwidth bottleneck. We demonstrated SIW performance superiority over conventional transmission line in immunity to cross-talk and electromagnetic interference. We developed a methodology based on design of experiment (DOE) and response surface method techniques that optimizes the design of SIW interconnects and minimizes its performance fluctuations under material and manufacturing variations. Along with using SIW, we implemented a multicarrier architecture which enabled the aggregated DDR bandwidth to reach 30 Gbit/s. We developed an end-to-end system model in Simulink and demonstrated the MCMCA performance for ultra-high throughput memory channel. Experimental characterization of the new channel shows that by using judicious frequency division multiplexing, as few as one SIW interconnect is sufficient to transmit the 64 DDR bits. Overall aggregated bus data rate achieves 240 GBytes/s data transfer with EVM not exceeding 2.26% and phase error of 1.07 degree or less.Dissertation/ThesisDoctoral Dissertation Electrical Engineering 201

Advanced Techniques for the Design and Optimization of Multi-Band and Reconfigurable Microwave Waveguide Filters

[ES] El creciente número de dispositivos intercambiando datos ha empujado a las empresas del sector espacial a utilizar bandas de frecuencia cada vez más altas, como Ku, K y Ka, ya que permiten emplear canales de frecuencia más anchos. A medida que disminuye la longitud de onda, el tamaño de los filtros se reduce y, por tanto, son más sensibles a las desviaciones de fabricación. Para compensar estos errores, es necesario emplear elementos de sintonía en la etapa de diseño. En este contexto presentamos una estrategia de diseño que permite incluir todos los factores no ideales, como elementos de sintonía o esquinas redondeadas, en las simulaciones finales de filtros y multiplexores. Una vez se han fabricado los filtros es necesario ajustar manualmente los elementos de sintonía hasta recuperar la respuesta objetivo. Sin embargo, para realizar esta tarea con éxito es necesario tener mucha experiencia previa y, aún así, conlleva un tiempo considerable. Por tanto, también proponemos un procedimiento de sintonización eficiente y sistemático que permite a cualquier persona, independientemente de su experiencia previa en sintonización, realizar esta tarea con éxito. Además del aumento de las tasas de transmisión, otros desafíos del sector espacial son reducir el tamaño y peso de sus componentes, así como dotarlos de capacidad dereconfiguración. Emplear dispositivos multifunción como filtros multibanda o dispositivos reconfigurables es una posible solución. En este contexto, proponemos una nueva familia de filtros multibanda en guía de ondas que puede adaptarse a las futuras necesidades del sector espacial. Con el mismo objetivo, también proponemos una familia de dispositivos reconfigurables de varios estados discretos que pueden modificar su comportamiento de forma remota.[CA] El creixent nombre de dispositius intercanviant dades ha empés a les empreses del sector espacial a utilitzar bandes de freqüència cada vegada més altes, com Ku, K i Ka, ja que permeten fer servir canals de freqüència més amples. A mesura que la longitud d'ona disminueix, la mida dels filtres es redueix i, per tant, són més sensibles a les desviacions de fabricació. Per compensar aquests errors, és necessari fer servir elements de sintonia en l'etapa de disseny. En aquest context presentem una estratègia de disseny que permet incloure tots els factors no ideals, com a elements de sintonia o cantonades arrodonides, en les simulacions finals de filtres i multiplexors. Una vegada s'han fabricat els filtres és necessari ajustar manualment els elements de sintonia fins a recuperar la resposta objectiu. Però, per realitzar aquesta tasca amb èxit és necessari tenir molta experiència prèvia i, així i tot, comporta un temps considerable. Per tant, també proposem un procediment de sintonització eficient i sistemàtic que permet a qualsevol persona, independentment de la seua experiència prèvia en sintonització, realitzar aquesta tasca amb èxit. A més de l'augment de les taxes de transmissió, altres desafiaments de el sector espacial són reduir la mida i pes dels seus components, així com dotar-los de capacitat de reconfiguració. Emprar dispositius multifunció com filtres multibanda o dispositius reconfigurables és una possible solució. En aquest context, proposem una nova família de filtres multibanda en guia d'ones que pot adaptar-se a les futures necessitats del sector espacial. Amb el mateix objectiu, també proposem una família de dispositius reconfigurables de diversos estats discrets que poden modificar el seu comportament de forma remota.[EN] The need for ever increasing data rate of modern communication systems has motivated companies in the space sector to exploit higher frequency bands, such as Ku, K and Ka, in order to offer wider bandwidths to their customers. However, as the frequency increases, the wavelength decreases, and all waveguide hardware becomes smaller and more sensitive to deviations from the ideal dimensions that normally occur when manufacturing the devices. In order to compensate for these deviations (or errors), tuning elements must then be added to the hardware and included in the design process. In this context, therefore, we focus on the investigation of novel design strategies for filters and multiplexers with the objective of including all necessary non-ideal factors in the design process. It is important to note in this context that, once the filters are manufactured, the tuning elements are usually adjusted manually until the desired target performance has been achieved. However, successfully performing this task requires a considerable amount of time and very significant previous experience in tuning microwave filters. Consequently, an additional goal of our research work is to propose efficient and systematic tuning procedures so that anyone, regardless of their previous tuning experience, can successfully perform this difficult task. In addition to the increasing data rates, another current challenge of advanced communication systems is the ability to be reconfigured remotely to adjust to changes in costumer demands. The use of multi-function or reconfigurable devices is then an attractive possible solution. In this context, therefore, we also investigate new families of multi-band waveguide filters that can be used to accommodate several pass bands in the same filtering device. Furthermore, we also propose a new family of reconfigurable devices with several discrete states that can be easily controlled remotely.Melgarejo Lermas, JC. (2021). Advanced Techniques for the Design and Optimization of Multi-Band and Reconfigurable Microwave Waveguide Filters [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/172728TESI