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

RF nanopackaging approaches based on Carbon Nanotubes

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Carbon-nanotube-based wireless on-chip interconnects

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Periodic band gap Structure for Submillimetric Filtering

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LTCC-based optically tunable microwave filter

Advanced microwave wireless devices are needed to dynamically adapt to field conditions. One possible approach for circuit tunability is optical control. In this paper a new optically tunable filter concept is proposed based on LTCC technology and new photoconductive polymer materials. The theoretical foundations of a tunable resonator, simulations of resulting filter performance, specifications of required material properties and basic measurements of this new tunable filter are presented. Finally, a proposed design for an LTCC-based optically controlled filter is given. The feasibility of a filter whose center frequency switches from 8.8 GHz to 6.2 GHz with polymer material having either σ 10+5 S/ m, is shown