79 research outputs found

    MM-wave integrated RF-MEMS tunable cavity resonators, filters and ultra-low phase-noise oscillators

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    Within the Microelectronics Industry, the core research is focused on the realization of the Moore's law, which states that circuit density doubles every 24 months, shaping the framework of the More of Moore paradigm. However, Moore's law is expected to end, as devices are reaching limitations inherent to the approach of the atomical dimensions. Alternative research paths emerged, forming the new More than Moore paradigm. This consists in using the microfabrication technological knowhow towards the realization of alternative devices and applications, among others the miniaturization and integration of Radio Frequency (RF) devices by Micro Electromechanical Systems (MEMS), i.e. RF-MEMS. The RF-MEMS devices offer high performance, tuning by movable parts and open new perspectives at extra high frequency i.e. 30 to 300 GHz. In this thesis, cavity resonators' design and characterization are introduced, as a preliminary discussion. Their integration in the bulk of High Resistivity Silicon (HR-Si) wafers by micromachining techniques is realized at 60 and 75 GHz. Further, the tuning performance induced by internal volumes of perturbation is thoroughly investigated. Furthermore, the integration of a voltage controlled tuning system for air filled cavity resonators is realized at 60 GHz, using a MEMS based Faraday cage. Additionally, a new miniaturization concept is demonstrated using High Impedance Surfaces (HIS). A seven-pole Chebyshev bandpass filter is realized in Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC). Finally, ultra-low phase-noise oscillators at 60 GHz are realized using cavity resonators integrated in HR-Si and LTCC. These oscillators improve the state of the art for integrated oscillators in the frequency band from 40 to 80 GHz, demonstrating the highest factor of merit, to our best knowledge and to date, FoM = -199 dBcHz @ 1MHz offset from the carrier frequency, fosc = 59.98 GHz.(FSA 3) -- UCL, 201

    A microfabricated sensor and a method of detecting a component in bodily fluid

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    The invention relates to a microfabricated sensor (1 ) for detecting a component in bodily fluid, comprising; an inlet means (2) for receiving a sample of bodily fluid, a fluid cavity (6) connected to the inlet means for receiving the sample of bodily fluid from the inlet means, and an RF resonant cavity (13), delimited by walls (14). At least one of the walls forms a separating wall (15), separating the fluid cavity from the RF resonant cavity, wherein the separating wall is configured such that the dielectric properties of the bodily fluid in the fluid cavity provide an influence on the electromagnetic properties of the RF resonant cavity.Development of an advanced millimeter-wave front-end for use in medical sensin

    Energy-dissipating tensile composite members with progressive failure

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    Ph.D.Erian A. Armanio

    An improved analytical model for broadside coupled transmission line used on planar circuit

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    Broadside coupled transmission lines have the advantage of more compact size and higher coupling factor compared to the traditional coupled microstrips in the realization of planar circuits such as substrate integrated baluns, directional couplers, and filters on printed circuit boards. A broadside coupled transmission line is a structure with interesting properties composed of two signal lines with strong coupling placed on the top and bottom of a dielectric substrate, surrounded by coplanar ground. This configuration allows the realization of the practical circuit with several hundred ohms impedance for even mode excitation, with the help of lower even mode capacitance. This leads to a high coupling factor and benefits to a high impedance transformation ratio balun or a wide bandwidth filter design. In this paper, an analytical model describing the symmetrical pair of conductors for broadside coupled transmission lines is presented. The analytical model based on the physical geometries of the coupled lines is verified by electromagnetic (EM) simulations and measurements. The results are in very good agreement with each other
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