Millimetre-wave and Terahertz Electronics

Overview: The basic thesis for the advancement of millimetre-wave and terahertz electronics is represented in four sections: Signal Processing, Component Design and Realization, Modelling and Materials, and Paradigm Shift. The first section is at system and circuit levels and reports on complex signal process functions that have been performed directly on the millimetre-wave carrier signal, intended for realizing low-cost and adaptive communications and radar systems architectures. The second section is at circuit and component levels and reports on techniques for the design and realization of low-loss passives for use at millimetrewave frequencies. The third section is at component and material levels and reports on modelling techniques for passives for use at both millimetre-wave and terahertz frequencies. Finally, the fourth section introduces a revolutionary new technology that represents a paradigm shift in the way millimetre-wave and terahertz electronics (i.e. components, circuits and systems) can be implemented. As found with the new generation of mobile phone handsets, a fusion of two extreme technologies can take place; here, complex signal processing operations could be performed both directly on the carrier signal and with the use of a spatial light modulator. Based on a selection of 20 papers (co-)authored by the candidate †b, and published over a period of 15 years, it will be seen that a coherent theme runs throughout this body of work, for the advancement of knowledge in millimetre-wave and terahertz electronics

Computational Cost Reduction for N+2 Order Coupling Matrix Synthesis Based on Desnanot-Jacobi Identity

© 2016 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works[EN] Matrix inversion is routinely performed in computational engineering, with coupling matrix filter synthesis considered here as just one of many example applications. When calculating the elements of the inverse of a matrix, the determinants of the submatrices are evaluated. The recent mathematical proof of the Desnanot-Jacobi (also known as the “Lewis Carol”) identity shows how the determinant of an N+2 order square matrix can be directly computed from the determinants of the N+1 order principal submatrices and N order core submatrix. For the first time, this identity is applied directly to an electrical engineering problem, simplifying N+2 order coupled matrix filter synthesis (general case, which includes lossy and asymmetrical filters). With the general two-port network theory, we prove the simplification using the Desnanot-Jacobi identity and show that the N+2 coupling matrix can be directly extracted from the zeros of the admittance parameters (given by N+1 order determinants) and poles of the impedance parameters (given by the N order core matrix determinant). The results show that it is possible to decrease the computational complexity (by eliminating redundancy), reduce the associated cost function (by using less iterations), and under certain circumstances obtain different equivalent solutions. Nevertheless, the method also proves its practical usefulness under constrained optimizations when the user desires specific coupling matrix topologies and constrained coefficient values (e.g, purely real/imaginary/positive/negative). This can lead to a direct coupling matrix constrained configuration where other similar methods fail (using the same optimization algorithms).A. A. Muller would like to thank Prof. Janos Pinter and Dr. Frank Kampas for the very helpful discussions on the use of their Nelder Mead algorithm-based optimizer tool and to Dr. R. J. Cameron for the private communication on his method of enclosuresMüller, A.; Sanabria-Codesal, E.; Lucyszyn, S. (2016). Computational Cost Reduction for N+2 Order Coupling Matrix Synthesis Based on Desnanot-Jacobi Identity. IEEE Access. 4:10042-10050. doi:10.1109/ACCESS.2016.2631262S1004210050

Extended Capabilities of the 3-D Smith Chart With Group Delay and Resonator Quality Factor

[EN] This paper extends the capabilities of the 3-D Smith chart for representing positive and negative differential-phase group delay and the associated loaded resonator quality factor, displayed simultaneously with scattering (S)-parameters. Here, mathematical concepts, inspired from elementary differential geometry and topology, are used to implement 3-D projections. It is shown that a condition for a circuit to exploit negative differential-phase group delay is that its S-parameter winding number should be ¿ 0 (relative to its origin). Finally, exemplar network responses that exhibit both positive and negative differential-phase group delay and loaded resonator quality factor are shown with the 3-D Smith chart. The convenience of being able to simultaneously display a wider range of parameters on one visualization platform, with the 3-D Smith chart, may help to speed-up the design and analysis of microwave circuits by the user.The work of A. A. Muller was supported under SIWTUNE Marie Curie Integration Grant 322162. The work of E. Sanabria-Codesal was supported in part under DGCYT Grant MTM2015-64013-P.Müller, A.; Sanabria-Codesal, E.; Moldoveanu, A.; Asavei, V.; Lucyszyn, S. (2017). Extended Capabilities of the 3-D Smith Chart With Group Delay and Resonator Quality Factor. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques. 65(1):10-19. https://doi.org/10.1109/TMTT.2016.2614931S101965

Fabricación aditiva de atenuadores variables de veleta rotatoria en guía de onda

Rotary Vane Attenuator is considered an industry standard in precision waveguide attenuators. These attenuators exhibit high accuracy, repeatability and reliability. In this paper, the design and fabrication of a rotary vane attenuator using additive manufacturing techniques is presented. The use of several materials to fabricate the lossy septum is discussed. ABS has been used to design all mechanical and waveguide parts. Waveguide parts has been metallised using a dual component spraying technology. Measurements has assessed the validity of the manufacturing process.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Wireless power transmission: R&D activities within Europe

Wireless power transmission (WPT) is an emerging technology that is gaining increased visibility in recent years. Efficient WPT circuits, systems and strategies can address a large group of applications spanning from batteryless systems, battery-free sensors, passive RF identification, near-field communications, and many others. WPT is a fundamental enabling technology of the Internet of Things concept, as well as machine-to-machine communications, since it minimizes the use of batteries and eliminates wired power connections. WPT technology brings together RF and dc circuit and system designers with different backgrounds on circuit design, novel materials and applications, and regulatory issues, forming a cross disciplinary team in order to achieve an efficient transmission of power over the air interface. This paper aims to present WPT technology in an integrated way, addressing state-of-the-art and challenges, and to discuss future R&D perspectives summarizing recent activities in Europe.The work of N. Borges Carvalho and A. J. S. Soares Boaventura was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under Project CREATION EXCL/EEI-TEL/0067/2012 and Doctoral Scholarship SFRH/BD/80615/2011. The work of H. Rogier was supported by BELSPO through the IAP Phase VII BESTCOM project and the Fund for Scientific Research-Flanders (FWO-V). The work of A. Georgiadis and A. Collado was supported by the European Union (EU) under Marie Curie FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IAPP 251557 and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness Project TEC 2012-39143. The work of J. A. García and M. N. Ruíz was supported by the Spanish Ministries MICINN and MINECO under FEDER co-funded Project TEC2011-29126-C03-01 and Project CSD2008-00068. The work of J. Kracek and M. Mazanek was supported in part by the Czech Ministry of Education Youth and Sports under Project OC09075–Novel Emerging Wireless Systems

The 2017 Terahertz Science and Technology Roadmap

Science and technologies based on terahertz frequency electromagnetic radiation (100GHz-30THz) have developed rapidly over the last 30 years. For most of the 20th century, terahertz radiation, then referred to as sub-millimeter wave or far-infrared radiation, was mainly utilized by astronomers and some spectroscopists. Following the development of laser based terahertz time-domain spectroscopy in the 1980s and 1990s the field of THz science and technology expanded rapidly, to the extent that it now touches many areas from fundamental science to “real world” applications. For example THz radiation is being used to optimize materials for new solar cells, and may also be a key technology for the next generation of airport security scanners. While the field was emerging it was possible to keep track of all new developments, however now the field has grown so much that it is increasingly difficult to follow the diverse range of new discoveries and applications that are appearing. At this point in time, when the field of THz science and technology is moving from an emerging to a more established and interdisciplinary field, it is apt to present a roadmap to help identify the breadth and future directions of the field. The aim of this roadmap is to present a snapshot of the present state of THz science and technology in 2016, and provide an opinion on the challenges and opportunities that the future holds. To be able to achieve this aim, we have invited a group of international experts to write 17 sections that cover most of the key areas of THz Science and Technology. We hope that The 2016 Roadmap on THz Science and Technology will prove to be a useful resource by providing a wide ranging introduction to the capabilities of THz radiation for those outside or just entering the field as well as providing perspective and breadth for those who are well established. We also feel that this review should serve as a useful guide for government and funding agencies