Analog Gross Fault Identification in RF Circuits using Neural Models and Constrained Parameter Extraction

The demand and relevance of efficient analog fault diagnosis methods for modern RF and microwave integrated circuits increases with the growing need and complexity of analog and mixed-signal circuitry. The well-established digital fault diagnosis methods are insufficient for analog circuitry due to the intrinsic complexity in analog faults and their corresponding identification process. In this work, we present an artificial neural network (ANN) modeling approach to efficiently emulate the injection of analog faults in RF circuits. The resulting meta-model is used for fault identification by applying an optimization-based process using a constrained parameter extraction formulation. A generalized neural modeling formulation to include auxiliary measurements in the circuit is proposed. This generalized formulation significantly increases the uniqueness of the faults identification process. The proposed methodology is illustrated by two faulty analog circuits: a CMOS RF voltage amplifier and a reconfigurable bandpass microstrip filter

Reliable full-wave EM simulation of a single-layer SIW interconnect with transitions to microstrip lines

We present a procedure to obtain reliable EM responses for a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) interconnect with microstrip line transitions. The procedure focuses on two COMSOL configuration settings: meshing sizes and simulation bounding box. Once both are properly configured, the implemented structure is tested by perturbing the simulation bounding box to assure it has no effect on the EM responsesITESO, A.C

Design Optimization of Full-Wave EM Models by Low-Order Low-Dimension Polynomial Surrogate Functionals

A practical formulation for EM-based design optimization of high-frequency circuits using simple polynomial surrogate functionals is proposed in this paper. Our approach starts from a careful selection of design variables and is based on a closed-form formulation that yields global optimal values for the surrogate model weighting factors, avoiding a large set of expensive EM model data, and resulting in accurate low-order low-dimension polynomials interpolants that are used as vehicles for efficient design optimization. Our formulation is especially suitable for EM-based design problems with no equivalent circuital models available. The proposed technique is illustrated by the EM-based design optimization of a Ka-band substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) interconnect with conductor-backed coplanar waveguide (CBCPW) transitions, a low crosstalk PCB microstrip interconnect structure with guard traces, and a 10-40 GHz SIW interconnect with microstrip transitions on a standard FR4-based substrate. Three commercially available full-wave EM solvers are used in our examples: CST, Sonnet and COMSOL

Sintonización automática de filtros de microondas mediante motores a pasos

Este artículo describe un sistema para sintonizar filtros de microondas de manera automática. Se presentan los resultados obtenidos de la sintonización automática de un resonador de microondas mediante un sistema diseñado específicamente para tal propósito. Este sistema es extrapolable a filtros de microondas que requieren múltiples tornillos de sintonización. El sistema diseñado se encarga de pedir al usuario los datos necesarios, procesar las medidas realizadas y finalmente hacer girar un motor a pasos para conseguir el ajuste deseado de frecuencia de resonancia. El tornillo de sintonización está unido al motor a pasos, y al girar el motor se hace variar la frecuencia del resonador. Dependiendo del paso del motor se podrá conseguir mayor precisión en el ajuste, pero lo que se mejora sustancialmente es el tiempo invertido en la sintonía y la velocidad a la que se puede cambiar la respuesta del dispositivo.Peer Reviewe

Characterizing a Tune-all bandstop filter

In this paper a reconfigurable bandstop filter able to reconfigure central frequency, bandwidth and selectivity for fine tuning applications is presented. The reconfigurable filter topology has four poles and a quasielliptic bandstop filter response. The filter is tuned by varactor diodes placed at different locations on the filter topology. The varactors are voltage controlled in pairs due to filter symmetry for central frequency and bandwidth control. An additional varactor is placed on a crossing line to move a pair of transmission zeros, closer or farther to the filter central frequency, which tunes filter selectivity. The filter has a tuneable fractional bandwidth range from 11.51 to 15.46%, a tuneable central frequency range from 1.346 to 1.420 GHz and a selectivity tuning range from 0.37 to 0.40 dB/MHz.Postprint (published version

Impact of 3D EM model configuration on the direct optimization of microstrip structures

We apply the classical Nelder-Mead optimization algorithm to a low fidelity EM model, using different mesh and bounding-box configurations. We demonstrate that the interaction of the coarse mesh with the bounding box size can determine whether the optimization is successful or not.ITESO, A.C.Intel Lab

Frequency and Bandwidth Control of Switchable Microstrip Bandpass Filters using RF-MEMS Ohmic Switches

Abstract -In this paper a reconfigurable bandpass filter is designed using ohmic-contact cantilever-type Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) switches. The filter can switch between two different states with a center frequency tunable range of 13% in C band. The topology allows achieving two accurate center frequencies, each associated with a precisely defined bandwidth, using six MEMS ohmic-switches. The design carefully takes into account the external quality factor for both filter states to ensure a good impedance match at each frequency. The two sets of coupling coefficients and resonator lengths implemented with the MEMS ohmic switches originate the bandwidths and center frequencies required by design specifications. The filter is designed to have center frequencies of 5.5 and 6.2 GHz, with a fractional bandwidth (FBW) of 5 and 3%, respectively. Filter specifications were successfully met with the proposed topology. The filter was fabricated on a quartz substrate and measured responses are in good agreement with simulations

Filtros para un cabezal de comunicaciones entre vehículos

In this paper two reconfigurable bandpass filters able to switch between WiFi and UMTS for transmit and receive band standards are presented. The filters are designed in such a way that center frequency and bandwidth specifications are precisely met by defining two switchable filter topologies. Design specifications require two center frequency states, one at 2.440 GHz with an 80 MHz bandwidth and a second center frequency state at 1.955 GHz with a 140 MHz bandwidth for the WiFi and UMTS transmit bands. The second filter is able to have one center frequency at 2.440 GHz with an 80 MHz bandwidth and a second center frequency state at 2.165 GHz with a 110 MHz bandwidth for the WiFi and UMTS receive bands, respectively. Filter simulations were performed to match the required filters specifications. Measured results on the transmit filter show a very good agreement with the simulations where a 2.428 GHz center frequency with a 71 MHz bandwidth was obtained for the WiFi state, and a 1.939 GHz center frequency with a 144 MHz bandwidth was obtained for the UMTS filter state. Simulated results on the receive filter show a very good agreement with the specified parameters. The filters specifications were successfully matched with the proposed filter topologies.Postprint (published version

EM simulation of a low-pass filter based on a microstrip defected ground structure using COMSOL

We perform EM simulations of a lowpass microstrip filter consisting of a crossjunction open stub and two unit sections implemented as defected ground structures (DGS). The defect introduced by unit sections corresponds to an etched lattice on the copper backside ground plane. The filter presents wide and deep attenuation characteristics in the stopband. Different model implementations were carried out with the aim at evaluating the computational costs versus accuracy. Simulations of a high-fidelity model are in good agreement with experimental data reported in a previous paper. COMSOL simulation settings, enclosing box, computational costs, and simulation times for the considered models are provided.ITESO, A.C.Intel Guadalajara Design Cente