144 research outputs found
Microwave Filters in Planar and Hybrid Technologies with Advanced Responses
[ES] La presente tesis doctoral tiene como principal objetivo el estudio, diseño, desarrollo y fabricación de nuevos dispositivos pasivos de microondas, tales como filtros y multiplexores con respuestas avanzadas para aplicaciones de alto valor añadido (i.e. comerciales, militares, espacio); orientados a distintos servicios, actuales y futuros, en sistemas inalámbricos de comunicación.
Además, esta investigación se centrará en el desarrollo de filtros encapsulados de montaje superficial y con un elevado grado de miniaturización. Para ello, se propone investigar distintas técnicas que consigan respuestas muy selectivas o con unas características exigentes en rechazo (mediante la flexible introducción de ceros de transmisión), así como una excelente planaridad en banda (aplicando técnicas tales como la mejora del Q o el diseño de filtros con pérdidas, lossy filters), obteniendo de este modo respuestas mejoradas, con respecto a soluciones conocidas, en los componentes de microondas desarrollados.
De forma general, la metodología seguida se iniciará con una búsqueda y conocimiento del estado del arte sobre cada uno de los temas que se acometerán en esta tesis. Tras ello, se establecerá un procedimiento de síntesis que permitirá acometer de forma teórica los objetivos y especificaciones a conseguir en cada caso. Con ello, se establecerán las bases para iniciar el proceso de diseño, incluyendo co-simulación circuital/electromagnética y optimización que permitirán, en última instancia, implementar la solución planteada en cada caso de aplicación concreto.
Finalmente, la demostración y validez de todas las investigaciones realizadas se llevará a cabo mediante la fabricación y caracterización experimental de distintos prototipos.[CA] La present tesi doctoral té com a principal objectiu l'estudi, disseny, desenvolupament I fabricació de nous dispositius passius de microones, com ara filtres i multiplexors amb respostes avançades per a aplicacions d'alt valor afegit, (comercials, militars, espai); orientats a oferir diferents serveis, actuals i futurs, en els diferents sistemes sense fils de comunicació.
A més, aquesta investigació es centrarà en el desenvolupament de filtres encapsulats de muntatge superficial i amb un elevat grau de miniaturització. Per a això, es proposa investigar diferents tècniques que aconsegueixin respostes molt selectives o amb unes característiques exigents en rebuig (mitjançant la flexible introducció de zeros de transmissió), així com una excel·lent planaritat en banda (aplicant tècniques com ara la
millora de l'Q o el disseny de filtres amb perdues, lossy filters), obtenint d'aquesta manera respostes millorades, respecte solucions conegudes, en els components de micrones desenvolupats.
De forma general, la metodologia seguida s'iniciarà amb una recerca i coneixement de l'estat de l'art sobre cadascun dels temes que s'escometran en aquesta tesi. Després d'això, s'establirà un procediment de síntesi que permetrà escometre de forma teòrica els objectiusi especificacions a aconseguir en cada cas. Amb això, s'establiran les bases per iniciar el procés de disseny, amb co-simulació circuital / electromagnètica i optimització que permetran, en última instància, implementar la solució plantejada en cada cas d'aplicació concret.
Finalment, la demostració i validesa de totes les investigacions realitzades es durà a terme mitjançant la fabricació i caracterització experimental de diferents prototips.[EN] The main objective of this doctoral thesis is the study, design, development and manufacture of new passive microwave components, such as filters and multiplexers with advanced responses for commercials, military and space applications; oriented to other different services, in current and future wireless communication systems.
In addition, this research will focus on the development of surface-mounted encapsulated filters with a high degree of miniaturization. With this purpose, it is proposed to investigate different techniques that achieve highly selective responses or with demanding characteristics in rejection (through the flexible introduction of transmission zeros), as well as an excellent in-band planarity (applying techniques such as the Q enhancement or lossy filters), thus obtaining improved responses, with respect to known solutions, in the developed microwave components.
In general, the followed methodology will begin with a search and knowledge of the state of the art on each of the topics addressed in this thesis. After that, a synthesis procedure will be established, which will allow the achievement of the objectives and specifications in a theoretical way, for each case. With this, the bases will be established to start the design process, with circuital and electromagnetic co-simulations and optimizations that will allow, ultimately, to implement the proposed solution, in every application case, specifically.
Finally, the demonstration and validity of all the investigations will be carried out through the manufacture and experimental characterization of different prototypes.Marín Martínez, S. (2022). Microwave Filters in Planar and Hybrid Technologies with Advanced Responses [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/18894
Microwave Metamaterial Applications using Complementary Split Ring Resonators and High Gain Rectifying Reflectarray for Wireless Power Transmission
In the past decade, artificial materials have attracted considerable attention as potential solutions to meet the demands of modern microwave technology for simultaneously achieving component minimization and higher performance in mobile communications, medical, and optoelectronics applications. To realize this potential, more research on metamaterials is needed.
In this dissertation, new bandpass filter and diplexer as microwave metamaterial applications have been developed. Unlike the conventional complementary split ring (CSRR) filters, coupled lines are used to provide larger coupling capacitance, resulting in better bandpass characteristics with two CSRRs only. The modified bandpass filters are used to deisgn a compact diplexer. A new CSRR antenna fed by coplanar waveguide has also been developed as another metamaterial application. The rectangular shape CSRRs antenna achieves dual band frequency properties without any special matching network. The higher resonant frequency is dominantly determined by the outer slot ring, while the lower resonant frequency is generated by the coupling between two CSRRs. The proposed antenna achieves about 35 percent size reduction, compared with the conventional slot antennas at the low resonant frequencies.
As a future alternative energy solution, space solar power transmission and wireless power transmission have received much attention. The design of efficient rectifying antennas called rectennas is very critical in the wireless power transmission system. The conventional method to obtain long distance range and high output power is to use a large antenna array in rectenna design. However, the use of array antennas has several problems: the relatively high loss of the array feed networks, difficultiy in feeding network design, and antenna radiator coupling that degrades rectenna array performance.
In this dissertation, to overcome the above problems, a reflectarray is used to build a rectenna system. The spatial feeding method of the reflectarray eliminates the energy loss and design complexity of a feeding network. A high gain rectifying antenna has been developed and located at the focal point of the reflectarray to receive the reflected RF singals and genterate DC power. The technologies are very useful for high power wireless power transmission applications
Novel miniature microwave quasi-elliptical function bandpass filters with wideband harmonic suppression
Filters are integral components in all wireless communication systems, and their function is to permit predefined band of frequencies into the system and reject all other signals. The ever-growing demand in the use of the radio frequency (RF) spectrum for new applications has resulted in the need for high performance microwave filters with strict requirements on both inband and out-of-band characteristics. High selectivity, high rejection, low loss and extremely wide spurious-free performance are required for both transmitter and receiver channels. In addition, these devices need to be highly compact, easy to integrate within transceivers and should be amenable to low cost manufacturing. High selectivity is essential to enable the guard band between adjacent channels to be reduced thus improving the efficiency of the RF spectrum and hence increasing the capacity of the system. A low insertion-loss, high return-loss and small group-delay in the passband are necessary to minimize signal degradation. A wide stopband is necessary to suppress spurious passbands outside the filter’s bandwidth that may allow spurious emissions from modulation process (harmonic, parasitic, intermodulation and frequency conversion products) and interfere with other systems. The EMC Directive 89/336/EEC mandates that all electronic equipment must comply with the applicable EN specification for EMI.
This thesis presents the research work that has resulted in the development of innovative and compact microstrip bandpass filters that fulfil the above stringent requirements for wireless communication systems. In fact, the proposed highly compact planar microstrip filters provide an alternative solution for existing and next generation of wireless communications systems. In particular, the proposed filters exhibit a low-loss and quasi-elliptic function response that is normally only possible with filter designs using waveguides and high temperature superconductors. The selectivity of the filters has been improved by inserting a pair of transmission zeros between the passband edges, and implementing notched rejection bands in the filter’s frequency response to widen its stopband performance. The filter structures have been analysed theoretically and modelled by using Keysight Technologies’ Advanced Design System (ADS™) and Momentum® software.
The dissertation is essentially composed of four main sections. In the first section, several compact and quasi-elliptic function bandpass filter structures are proposed and theoretically analysed. Selectivity and stopband performance of these filters is enhanced by loading the input and output feed-lines with inductive stubs that introduce transmission zeros at specified frequencies in the filter’s frequency response. This technique is shown to provide a sharp 3-dB roll-off and steep selectivity skirt with high out-of-band rejection over a wide frequency span. In addition, the 3-dB fractional bandwidth of the filters is shown to be controllable by manipulating the filter’s geometric parameters.
Traditional microwave bandpass filters are designed using quarter-wavelength distributed transmission-line resonators that are either end-coupled or side-coupled. The sharpness of the filter response is determined by the number of resonators employed which degrades the filter’s passband loss performance. This results in a filter with a significantly larger footprint which precludes miniaturization. To circumvent these drawbacks the second section describes the development of a novel and compact wideband bandpass filter with the desired characteristics. The quasi-elliptic function filter comprises open-loop resonators that are coupled to each other using a stub loaded resonator. The proposed filter is shown to achieve a wideband 3-dB fractional bandwidth of 23% with much better loss performance, sharp skirt selectivity and very wide rejection bandwidth.
The third section describes the investigation of novel ultra-wideband (UWB) microstrip bandpass filter designs. Parametric study enabled the optimization of the filter’s performance which was verified through practical measurements. The proposed filters meet the stringent characteristics required by modern communications systems, i.e. the filters are highly compact and miniature even when fabricated on a low dielectric constant substrate, possess a sharp quasi-elliptic function bandpass response with low passband insertion-loss, and ultra-wide stopband performance.
With the rapid development of multi-band operation in modern and next generation wireless communication systems, there is a great demand for single frequency discriminating devices that can operate over multiple frequency bands to facilitate miniaturization. These multi-band bandpass filters need to be physically small, have low insertion-loss, high return-loss, and excellent selectivity. In the fourth section two miniature microstrip dual-band and triple-band bandpass filter designs are explored. A detailed parametric study was conducted to fully understand how the geometric parameters of the filters affected their performance. The optimized filters were fabricated and measured to validate their performance
Development of tunable and miniature microwave filters for modern wireless communications
Due to the increasing demand for new wireless services and applications, the high level of integration and the coexistence of multi-standard (MS) or multi-band operations into a single device are becoming defining trends in designing microwave filters. This has driven considerable technological advances in reconfigurable/tunable and miniaturized filters. More specifically, reconfigurable/tunable filters that tune to different frequency bands instead of classical filter banks have great potential to significantly reduce the system size and complexity; while reducing the filter size becomes essential to achieve the highest degree of integration density in compact and portable wireless devices.
In the light of this scenario, the objective of this dissertation is to develop the new design technologies, concepts and filtering configurations for tunable microstrip filters and compact passive microwave filters. To this aim, this dissertation is divided into two main parts.
The first part (Part I) focuses on the designs of novel varactor-tuned microstrip filters with advanced performances. In this aspect, new topologies for realizing tunable lowpass and highpass filters are firstly developed. State-of-the-art performances, including wide tuning range, high selectivity with multiple transmission zeros, low insertion loss and compact size for all the tuning states are obtained in both of these filters. Secondly, two novel classes of tunable bandpass filters are presented. One of them is designed based on varactor-loaded parallel-coupled microstrip lines (PCML) and short-circuited stubs, which allows the lower passband edge together with two transmission zeros located around the lower passband skirt to be reconfigured separately. While the other tunable bandpass filter is constructed by the combination of tunable bandpass and lowpass filters, featuring both centre frequency and bandwidth tunabilities, as well as high selectivity with abundant transmission zeros. Furthermore, a new concept of tunable lossy filter is demonstrated, which attempts to achieve an equivalent high-Q tunable performance by using low-Q resonators. This concept makes the presented tunable combline filter interesting for some frequency-agile applications in which the low in-band loss variation and high selectivity are much desired while the absolute insertion loss can be a tradeoff.
The second part (Part II) is devoted to the design of miniaturized passive microwave filters with improved characteristics. For this, the concept of artificial right-handed and left-handed transmission lines are applied to the signal interference filtering topology, which results in a compact circuit size and good out-of-band performance. In particular, for a further size reduction, such filter is implemented in the forms of multilayered structure by using liquid crystal polymer (LCP) technology. Additionally, another two types of miniaturized bandpass filters using stepped impedance resonators are demonstrated, which are implemented based on different fabrication processes (i.e. LCP bonded multilayer PCB technology and a standard planar PCB technology). Among their main features, the compact size, wide passband, broad stopband with multiple transmission zeros and circuit simplicity are highlighted.
For all the proposed design techniques and filtering structures, exhaustive theoretical analyses are done, and design equations and guide rules are provided. Furthermore, all the proposed schemes and/or ideas have been experimentally validated through the design, implementation and measurement of different filters. The fabrication processes of multilayer technology utilized: liquid crystal polymer (LCP) technology and liquid crystal polymer (LCP) bonded multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) technology, are also demonstrated for reference. All of the results achieved in this dissertation make the proposed filters very attractive for their use in modern wireless communication systems
Development of turnable and miniature microwave filters for modern wireless communication
Due to the increasing demand for new wireless services and applications, the high level of integration and the coexistence of multi-standard (MS) or multi-band operations into a single device are becoming defining trends in designing microwave filters. This has driven considerable technological advances in reconfigurable/tunable and miniaturized filters. More specifically, reconfigurable/tunable filters that tune to different frequency bands instead of classical filter banks have great potential to significantly reduce the system size and complexity; while reducing the filter size becomes essential to achieve the highest degree of integration density in compact and portable wireless devices.
In the light of this scenario, the objective of this dissertation is to develop the new design technologies, concepts and filtering configurations for tunable microstrip filters and compact passive microwave filters. To this aim, this dissertation is divided into two main parts.
The first part (Part I) focuses on the designs of novel varactor-tuned microstrip filters with advanced performances. In this aspect, new topologies for realizing tunable lowpass and highpass filters are firstly developed. State-of-the-art performances, including wide tuning range, high selectivity with multiple transmission zeros, low insertion loss and compact size for all the tuning states are obtained in both of these filters. Secondly, two novel classes of tunable bandpass filters are presented. One of them is designed based on varactor-loaded parallel-coupled microstrip lines (PCML) and short-circuited stubs, which allows the lower passband edge together with two transmission zeros located around the lower passband skirt to be reconfigured separately. While the other tunable bandpass filter is
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constructed by the combination of tunable bandpass and lowpass filters, featuring both centre frequency and bandwidth tunabilities, as well as high selectivity with abundant transmission zeros. Furthermore, a new concept of tunable lossy filter is demonstrated, which attempts to achieve an equivalent high-Q tunable performance by using low-Q resonators. This concept makes the presented tunable combline filter interesting for some frequency-agile applications in which the low in-band loss variation and high selectivity are much desired while the absolute insertion loss can be a tradeoff.
The second part (Part II) is devoted to the design of miniaturized passive microwave filters with improved characteristics. For this, the concept of artificial right-handed and left-handed transmission lines are applied to the signal interference filtering topology, which results in a compact circuit size and good out-of-band performance. In particular, for a further size reduction, such filter is implemented in the forms of multilayered structure by using liquid crystal polymer (LCP) technology. Additionally, another two types of miniaturized bandpass filters using stepped impedance resonators are demonstrated, which are implemented based on different fabrication processes (i.e. LCP bonded multilayer PCB technology and a standard planar PCB technology). Among their main features, the compact size, wide passband, broad stopband with multiple transmission zeros and circuit simplicity are highlighted.
For all the proposed design techniques and filtering structures, exhaustive theoretical analyses are done, and design equations and guide rules are provided. Furthermore, all the proposed schemes and/or ideas have been experimentally validated through the design, implementation and measurement of different filters. The fabrication processes of multilayer technology utilized: liquid crystal polymer (LCP) technology and liquid crystal polymer (LCP) bonded multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) technology, are also demonstrated for reference. All of the results achieved in this dissertation make the proposed filters very attractive for their use in modern wireless communication systems.MultiWaves Project (PIRSES-GA-2010-247532) of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), European Commission
Millimeter-Wave MMICs and Applications
As device technology improves, interest in the millimeter-wave band grows. Wireless communication systems migrate to higher frequencies, millimeter-wave radars and passive sensors find new solid-state implementations that promise improved performance, and entirely new applications in the millimeter-wave band become feasible. The circuit or system designer is faced with a new and unique set of challenges and constraints to deal with in order to use this portion of the spectrum successfully. In particular, the advantages of monolithic integration become increasingly important.
This thesis presents many new developments in Monolithic Millimeter-Wave Integrated Circuits (MMICs), both the chips themselves and systems that use them. It begins with an overview of the various applications of millimeter waves, including a discussion of specific projects that the author is involved in and why many of them demand a MMIC implementation. In the subsequent chapters, new MMIC chips are described in detail, as is the role they play in real-world projects. Multi-chip modules are also presented with specific attention given to the practical details of MMIC packaging and multi-chip integration. The thesis concludes with a summary of the works presented thus far and their overall impact on the field of millimeter-wave engineering.</p
Advanced direct metal 3D printed passive components for wireless communications and satellite applications
This thesis presents the design of advanced microwave passive filters, antennas, and
antenna arrays using direct metal 3D printing technology. These work all incorporate the
printing technology into the RF component design process, demonstrating the potential
possibilities of direct metal 3D printing in the investigation and fabrication of passive
microwave components with irregular shapes but attractive features.
This thesis's works involved an extensive frequency range that starts with investigating S-band filters and then extends to C-band and Ku-band filters and antennas design. It is well
known that in S- and C- band radio frequency (RF) applications that miniaturization is a
critical factor for RF devices besides high performances. For this reason, the first project
in this thesis proposed a novel compact waveguide loaded air slots resonator for designing
inline bandpass filters. As a result, the designed filters not only have a smaller size than
coaxial ones but also have controllable transmission zeros with inline structures. Since the
air slots resonator is loaded inside the cavity, it is difficult to fabricate by conventional
methods, but accessible by 3D printing technique with appropriate self-support structures.
The fabrication quality was reflected by the mechanical and RF property measurements,
which first demonstrated the advantage of using 3D printing technique to fabricate
components with complex structures.
The second project presents a compact high-Q fan-shaped folded waveguide resonator,
which is applied to successfully design one C-band filter and filtering antenna. High
performance RF properties and easy-to-print structures are always considered together.
Accordingly, this work proposed and validated novel slots cross negative coupling
topology of the filter and novel filtering antenna theory. Also, each of the designed
components has better self-supported structures that can be printed with only two pieces,
which highly reduced assembly processes and errors. Furthermore, the RF properties from
measurement results further demonstrated that the reliability of the metal 3D printing
technology for C-band RF applications.
The concepts of the third project are extended from the second project but replaces the
folded waveguide resonator with a metal strong coupling resonator (MSCR). The MSCR
allows for even further compact dimensions while maintaining a high Q value of over
1000. It also allows producing mixed electrical-magnetic coupling by the curving coupling
metal pairs intentionally. Except for the desired RF properties, the designed filter based on
the MSCR can be printed as a whole even with complex inner circuits structures.
Furthermore, the MSCR was integrated with the helical antenna using the proposed theory
presented in the second project. Although the helical antenna belongs to the electrical-small antenna, the designed filtering antenna still has a high transmission efficiency of
more than 95% and a 6 dBi realized gain concerning its less than quarter-wavelength. In
addition, the filtering antenna has five helical radiation elements and one filter prototype
but was printed with only three pieces, which showed the advantages of the direct metal
3D printing technology again.
The fourth and the last project introduces a Ku-band slots antenna array application based
on the sine corrugated waveguide resonator. Similar to previous projects, advanced RF
performances were pursued in this project, in addition to demonstrating the use of 3D
printing technology to fabricate compact and specific structures. The designed antenna
array achieved a higher gain, wider band, and more simple feeding networks. The mode
analysis method based on the EM software CST was applied to guide the design since no
related formulas were available. The designed model was printed with two pieces and was
measured thoroughly. The measured surface roughness, in-band responses, and radiation
patterns showed promising results for the sine corrugated waveguide and 3D printing
technology in satellite applications.
In general, this thesis researched and proved the reliability and advantages of direct metal
3D printing technology in designing and fabricating advanced microwave passive
components below the Ku-band. It should be mentioned that the designed passive
components in this thesis can be easily re-designed/re-configured and applied on the 5G
wireless base station and satellite communication systems
Compact Microwave Dual-band Bandpass Filter Design
The modern wireless communication systems require dual-band bandpass filters to support the standards that work at multiple frequency bands. This thesis demonstrates two design approaches for the development of compact microwave dual-band bandpass filters. The first approach is based on synthesising a dual-passband filter response utilising only one resonant frequency of the resonators. The second approach employs dual-band resonators that have tuneable the first and the second resonant frequencies to form the dual-passbands filter response.
The dual-passband response synthesis method synthesises a response with dual passbands that is generated by a frequency transformation that places a finite frequency zero within the single- passband of a filter to split it into dual passbands. The transformed dual-passband response is characterised by the synthesised coupling matrix that consists of the coupling coefficients between coupled resonators. Two filters have been designed and fabricated using microstrip square open-loop and TE01δ mode quarter cylindrical dielectric resonators. The investigation based on simulation studies and measured results revealed that unloaded quality factor of the resonator is required to be ten times greater than the quality factor of each passband in order to realise the narrow passbands.
The dual-band resonator methods employ multiple resonant modes of the resonator operating at different frequencies to implement the multiple passbands, respectively. Stepped impedance resonators in stripline and coaxial configurations have been presented and analysed for the realisation of dual-band bandpass filters. A second order dual-band bandpass filter formed by coaxial stepped impedance resonators has been designed, fabricated and tested. The measured frequency response agree well with the simulated response. The estimated breakdown power shows that the filter is capable of high power applications. Non-uniform pitch helical resonators are also proposed for the implementation of dual-band bandpass filters. Two non-uniform pitch helical resonator structures have been analytically modelled. The theoretical models of the non- uniform pitch helical resonators have been developed for accurate prediction of its dual-band characteristics. It is also employed in the general design process of the non-uniform pitch helical resonators. Resonator examples have been presented to show the applicability and validity of the analysis and simulation. Three dual-band bandpass filters have been designed and implemented using non-uniform pitch helical resonators. Their measured frequency responses agree reasonably with the ideal responses. Additionally, the simulation shows that the designed dual-band bandpass filters have relatively high power handling capability
Analysis and design of ΣΔ Modulators for Radio Frequency Switchmode Power Amplifiers
Power amplifiers are an integral part of every basestation, macrocell, microcell and mobile
phone, enabling data to be sent over the distances needed to reach the receiver’s antenna.
While linear operation is needed for transmitting WCDMA and OFDM signals, linear
operation of a power amplifier is characterized by low power efficiency, and contributes
to unwanted power dissipation in a transmitter. Recently, a switchmode power amplifier
operation was considered for reducing power losses in a RF transmitter. A linear and
efficient operation of a PA can be achieved when the transmitted RF signal is ΣΔ modu-
lated, and subsequently amplified by a nonlinear device. Although in theory this approach
offers linearity and efficiency reaching 100%, the use of ΣΔ modulation for transmitting
wideband signals causes problems in practical implementation: it requires high sampling
rate by the digital hardware, which is needed for shaping large contents of a quantization
noise induced by the modulator but also, the binary output from the modulator needs an
RF power amplifier operating over very wide frequency band.
This thesis addresses the problem of noise shaping in a ΣΔ modulator and nonlinear
distortion caused by broadband operation in switchmode power amplifier driven by a ΣΔ
modulated waveform. The problem of sampling rate increase in a ΣΔ modulator is solved
by optimizing structure of the modulator, and subsequent processing of an input signal’s
samples in parallel. Independent from the above, a novel technique for reducing quan-
tization noise in a bandpass ΣΔ modulator using single bit quantizer is presented. The
technique combines error pulse shaping and 3-level quantization for improving signal to
noise ratio in a 2-level output. The improvement is achieved without the increase of a digital
hardware’s sampling rate, which is advantageous also from the perspective of power
consumption. The new method is explored in the course of analysis, and verified by simulated
and experimental results. The process of RF signal conversion from the Cartesian to
polar form is analyzed, and a signal modulator for a polar transmitter with a ΣΔ-digitized
envelope signal is designed and implemented. The new modulator takes an advantage of
bandpass digital to analog conversion for simplifying the analog part of the modulator.
A deformation of the pulsed RF signal in the experimental modulator is demonstrated to
have an effect primarily on amplitude of the RF signal, which is correctable with simple
predistortion
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
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