Layout-level Circuit Sizing and Design-for-manufacturability Methods for Embedded RF Passive Circuits

The emergence of multi-band communications standards, and the fast pace of the consumer electronics markets for wireless/cellular applications emphasize the need for fast design closure. In addition, there is a need for electronic product designers to collaborate with manufacturers, gain essential knowledge regarding the manufacturing facilities and the processes, and apply this knowledge during the design process. In this dissertation, efficient layout-level circuit sizing techniques, and methodologies for design-for-manufacturability have been investigated. For cost-effective fabrication of RF modules on emerging technologies, there is a clear need for design cycle time reduction of passive and active RF modules. This is important since new technologies lack extensive design libraries and layout-level electromagnetic (EM) optimization of RF circuits become the major bottleneck for reduced design time. In addition, the design of multi-band RF circuits requires precise control of design specifications that are partially satisfied due to manufacturing variations, resulting in yield loss. In this work, a broadband modeling and a layout-level sizing technique for embedded inductors/capacitors in multilayer substrate has been presented. The methodology employs artificial neural networks to develop a neuro-model for the embedded passives. Secondly, a layout-level sizing technique for RF passive circuits with quasi-lumped embedded inductors and capacitors has been demonstrated. The sizing technique is based on the circuit augmentation technique and a linear optimization framework. In addition, this dissertation presents a layout-level, multi-domain DFM methodology and yield optimization technique for RF circuits for SOP-based wireless applications. The proposed statistical analysis framework is based on layout segmentation, lumped element modeling, sensitivity analysis, and extraction of probability density functions using convolution methods. The statistical analysis takes into account the effect of thermo-mechanical stress and process variations that are incurred in batch fabrication. Yield enhancement and optimization methods based on joint probability functions and constraint-based convex programming has also been presented. The results in this work have been demonstrated to show good correlation with measurement data.Ph.D.Committee Chair: Swaminathan, Madhavan; Committee Member: Fathianathan, Mervyn; Committee Member: Lim, Sung Kyu; Committee Member: Peterson, Andrew; Committee Member: Tentzeris, Mano

Advanced Design and Fabrication of Microwave Components Based on Shape Optimization and 3D Ceramic Stereolithography Process

International audienceThe design of advanced components for space and terrestrial telecommunication systems requires both sophisticated design methodologies and manufacturing technologies for improving current component characteristics. In particular, optimizing the shape and the size of a component is a problem of primary importance for microwave engineers. Moreover, for designing RF and microwave components or antennas, the use of ceramic materials is preferable in order to satisfy both electrical and dimensional constraints. The main objective of this chapter is to demonstrate that it is possible to jointly improve the design and fabrication procedures of ceramic based advanced RF components. In this context, a ceramic 3D stereolithography based rapid prototyping technique is applied for fabricating 3D ceramic structures. As presented next, theoretical and experimental approaches are complementary and innovative components with excellent electrical performances have been designed, manufactured and characterized. Then the contribution demonstrates how an original CAD design approach based on shape optimization methods can be applied for improving electrical performance and integration of microwave and millimeter-wave devices

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

EM Based Synthesis and Design of Bandpass Waveguide Filters Including Manufacturing Effects with FEST3D

This article aims at the industry interest on automated design tools that are able to take into account manufacturing effects. First, an efficient design strategy for bandpass waveguide filters including the rounded corners arising from low-cost manufacturing procedures is presented. This technique is based on a recent enhanced prototype and synthesis methodology able to consider the real structure parts. Using the resulting electromagnetic (EM)-based synthesis technique, an excellent structure is extracted, which requires, at most, only a slight final EM optimization. Second, this article presents analytical expressions providing error estimates for the different filter performances in terms of manufacturing tolerances. From such expressions, designers can determine the tolerance to be requested for a tuning-less implementation. Moreover, they can also be used to set the convergence criterion for the synthesis procedure. A fully automated design tool of bandpass waveguide filters able to consider manufacturing impairments has been developed and integrated in the commercial software Full-wave EM Simulation Tool 3D (FEST 3D)The authors thank Mrs. Eva Tarin, Mr. Oscar Monerris, and Mr. Jaime Armendariz for their work on the integration of the synthesis tool for H-plane waveguide filters in FEST 3D. This work was supported by Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia, Spanish Government, under the Research Project ref. TEC2010-21520-C04-01.Soto Pacheco, P.; Boria Esbert, VE.; Carceller Candau, C.; Vicente Quiles, CP.; Gil Raga, J.; Gimeno Martinez, B. (2012). EM Based Synthesis and Design of Bandpass Waveguide Filters Including Manufacturing Effects with FEST3D. International Journal of RF and Microwave Computer-Aided Engineering. 22(1):93-103. https://doi.org/10.1002/mmce.2058893103221Reiter, J. M., & Arndt, F. (1995). Rigorous analysis of arbitrarily shaped H- and E-plane discontinuities in rectangular waveguides by a full-wave boundary contour mode-matching method. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 43(4), 796-801. doi:10.1109/22.375226Zhou, J., Duan, B., & Huang, J. (2010). Influence and tuning of tunable screws for microwave filters using least squares support vector regression. International Journal of RF and Microwave Computer-Aided Engineering, 20(4), 422-429. doi:10.1002/mmce.20447Nikolova, N. (2008). Electromagnetic software in microwave engineering [Guest Editorial]. IEEE Microwave Magazine, 9(6), 10-12. doi:10.1109/mmm.2008.929880Boria, V. E., Gimeno, B., Marini, S., Taroncher, M., Cogollos, S., Soto, P., … Gil, J. (2007). Recent advances in modeling, design, and fabrication of microwave filters for space applications. International Journal of RF and Microwave Computer-Aided Engineering, 17(1), 70-76. doi:10.1002/mmce.20199Kozakowski, P., & Mrozowski, M. (2002). Gradient-based optimization of filters using FDTD software. IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, 12(10), 389-391. doi:10.1109/lmwc.2002.804561Boria, V. E., Bozzi, M., Bruni, F., Cogollos, S., Conciauro, G., Gimeno, B., & Perregrini, L. (2003). Efficient analysis of in-line waveguide filters and frequency-selective surfaces with stepped holes. International Journal of RF and Microwave Computer-Aided Engineering, 13(4), 306-315. doi:10.1002/mmce.10087Morro, J. V., Esteban, H., Boria, V. E., Bachiller, C., & Belenguer, A. (2008). Optimization techniques for the efficient design of low-cost satellite filters considering new light materials. International Journal of RF and Microwave Computer-Aided Engineering, 18(2), 168-175. doi:10.1002/mmce.20264Hunter, I. (2001). Theory and Design of Microwave Filters. doi:10.1049/pbew048eSoto, P., Tarin, E., Boria, V. E., Vicente, C., Gil, J., & Gimeno, B. (2010). Accurate Synthesis and Design of Wideband and Inhomogeneous Inductive Waveguide Filters. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 58(8), 2220-2230. doi:10.1109/tmtt.2010.2052668Morini, A., Venanzoni, G., & Rozzi, T. (2006). A new adaptive prototype for the design of side-coupled coaxial filters with close correspondence to the physical structure. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 54(3), 1146-1153. doi:10.1109/tmtt.2005.864112Morini, A., Venanzoni, G., Farina, M., & Rozzi, T. (2007). Modified Adaptive Prototype Inclusive of the External Couplings for the Design of Coaxial Filters. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 55(9), 1905-1911. doi:10.1109/tmtt.2007.904329Cogollos, S., Marini, S., Boria, V. E., Soto, P., Vidal, A., Esteban, H., … Gimeno, B. (2003). Efficient modal analysis of arbitrarily shaped waveguides composed of linear, circular, and elliptical arcs using the BI-RME method. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 51(12), 2378-2390. doi:10.1109/tmtt.2003.819776Levy, R. (1967). Theory of Direct-Coupled-Cavity Filters. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 15(6), 340-348. doi:10.1109/tmtt.1967.1126471Balasubramanian, R., & Pramanick, P. (1999). Computer aided design ofH-plane tapered corrugated waveguide bandpass filters. International Journal of RF and Microwave Computer-Aided Engineering, 9(1), 14-21. doi:10.1002/(sici)1099-047x(199901)9:13.0.co;2-

SciTech News Volume 71, No. 2 (2017)

Columns and Reports From the Editor 3 Division News Science-Technology Division 5 Chemistry Division 8 Engineering Division 9 Aerospace Section of the Engineering Division 12 Architecture, Building Engineering, Construction and Design Section of the Engineering Division 14 Reviews Sci-Tech Book News Reviews 16 Advertisements IEEE

E-plane parallel coupled resonators for waveguide bandpass filter applications

High skirt selectivity and extended out-of-band rejection is a major challenge for the successful progress of in-line microwave filters. This thesis presents novel filter realizations with improved performance, compatible with the standard single thin all-metal insert in a split-block housing and therefore maintaining the low-cost fabrication characteristics. In addition, significant filter performance improvement is achieved. The synthesis procedure implemented for the filter concept consists of a few steps. Some preliminary steps are a rigorous characterization of a double-ridge coaxial waveguide, and the modelling of an equivalent circuit model for the parallel coupled ridge waveguide devised in the filter concept. From these elements, a full wave electromagnetic analysis shows that parallel-coupled asymmetric ridge waveguides produce strongly dispersive coupling which introduces a transmission zero. Later on this property is extended to parallel-coupled asymmetric ridge waveguide resonators, where it is demonstrated that it is possible to independently control the coupling coefficient and the frequency of the transmission zero. This allows the realization of pseudo-elliptic narrowband in-line bandpass filters in E-plane technology. A general synthesis procedure for high order filters is outlined and numerical and experimental results are presented for validation. The elements employed for the synthesis procedure of the bandpass prototypes are also applied to investigate structures suitable for different applications. In particular, stopband and dual stopband filters are presented with numerical and experimental results. Finally, the study of a microwave chemical/biochemical sensing device for the characterization and detection of cells in chemical substances and cells in solution in micro-litre volumes is also reported.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council(EPSRC

SIMULATIONS-GUIDED DESIGN OF PROCESS ANALYTICAL SENSOR USING MOLECULAR FACTOR COMPUTING

Many areas of science now generate huge volumes of data that present visualization, modeling, and interpretation challenges. Methods for effectively representing the original data in a reduced coordinate space are therefore receiving much attention. The purpose of this research is to test the hypothesis that molecular computing of vectors for transformation matrices enables spectra to be represented in any arbitrary coordinate system. New coordinate systems are selected to reduce the dimensionality of the spectral hyperspace and simplify the mechanical/electrical/computational construction of a spectrometer. A novel integrated sensing and processing system, termed Molecular Factor Computing (MFC) based near infrared (NIR) spectrometer, is proposed in this dissertation. In an MFC -based NIR spectrometer, spectral features are encoded by the transmission spectrum of MFC filters which effectively compute the calibration function or the discriminant functions by weighing the signals received from a broad wavelength band. Compared with the conventional spectrometers, the novel NIR analyzer proposed in this work is orders of magnitude faster and more rugged than traditional spectroscopy instruments without sacrificing the accuracy that makes it an ideal analytical tool for process analysis. Two different MFC filter-generating algorithms are developed and tested for searching a near-infrared spectral library to select molecular filters for MFC-based spectroscopy. One using genetic algorithms coupled with predictive modeling methods to select MFC filters from a spectral library for quantitative prediction is firstly described. The second filter-generating algorithm designed to select MFC filters for qualitative classification purpose is then presented. The concept of molecular factor computing (MFC)-based predictive spectroscopy is demonstrated with quantitative analysis of ethanol-in-water mixtures in a MFC-based prototype instrument

Modeling and Optimization of the Microwave PCB Interconnects Using Macromodel Techniques

L'abstract è presente nell'allegato / the abstract is in the attachmen

Programmable photonics : an opportunity for an accessible large-volume PIC ecosystem

We look at the opportunities presented by the new concepts of generic programmable photonic integrated circuits (PIC) to deploy photonics on a larger scale. Programmable PICs consist of waveguide meshes of tunable couplers and phase shifters that can be reconfigured in software to define diverse functions and arbitrary connectivity between the input and output ports. Off-the-shelf programmable PICs can dramatically shorten the development time and deployment costs of new photonic products, as they bypass the design-fabrication cycle of a custom PIC. These chips, which actually consist of an entire technology stack of photonics, electronics packaging and software, can potentially be manufactured cheaper and in larger volumes than application-specific PICs. We look into the technology requirements of these generic programmable PICs and discuss the economy of scale. Finally, we make a qualitative analysis of the possible application spaces where generic programmable PICs can play an enabling role, especially to companies who do not have an in-depth background in PIC technology