Microwave lenses support low-phase error, wideband, wide-angle scanning, and true-time delay (TTD) beam forming. They provide ideal performance for applications such as satellites, remote-piloted vehicles, collision-avoidance radars and ultra-wideband communications systems. The emerging printed lenses in recent years have facilitated the advancement of designing high performance but low-profile, light-weight, and small-size beam-forming networks (BFNs). The microwave lens adopts a few beam ports to illuminate the prescribed receiving ports that feed energy into radiating antennas. Multi-beam patterns can be achieved by exciting multiple beam ports at a time. The design process starts with path-length equations from a limited number of beam-port foci assumptions. This constraint does not take into account the amplitude information; however, it allows an initial lens geometry to be solved. The resulted scanning angle of microwave lens is limited by the beam port contour, as such ± 90 degrees. In this dissertation, three contributions are made from the aspects of minimized phase errors, accurate and efficient simulation algorithms, and 360-degree scanning range extension. First, a minimum-phase-error, non-focal lens design method is proposed. It does not require a specific number of foci along the beam contour; however, minimum phase errors for all beam ports are able to be achieved. The proposed method takes into account flexible prescribed geometrical design parameters, and adopts numerical optimization algorithms to perform phase error minimization. Numerical results compared with the published tri-focal and quadru-focal lenses demonstrate the merits of the proposed method. Second, an accurate and fast simulation method for the microwave lens has been developed to predict the phase, amplitude, array factor, and power efficiency performance. The proposed method is compared to both full-wave simulation and measurement. Comparable results have been achieved. Third, a novel method for a 360-degree scanning microwave lens is proposed. This concept uses the beam ports and the receive ports in an interleaving sequence such that adjacent ports alternate beam and receive functions. The result is a lens that produces scanned beams on opposite sides of the structure resulting in a 360-degree scanning range. The structure can use multiple opposing facets or continuous circular-port and radiating-element contours. To prove the concept, a four-facet microstrip lens has been designed, simulated, fabricated, and tested. The comparison between full-wave simulation and measurement has demonstrated good agreement. / Ph. D.

The proliferation of wireless ad-hoc networks especially wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11b Standard) in the commercial market in recent years has reached a critical mass. The adoption and strong support of wireless IEEE 802.11 standard, coupled with the consequent decline in costs, has made wireless LAN deployment as one of the fastest growth area in communication access technology. With the ever increasing use of wireless LAN technology the various networks are reaching their full capacity in terms of network throughput, number of users and interference level in the wireless channel. In this thesis work I propose to the use smart antenna technology and a power management scheme in the wireless ad-hoc networks to increase the network capacity in terms of throughput, number of simultaneous communication and to lower the average transmit power and consequently co-channel interference. Power management scheme can be used to maximize the power efficiency of the transmitter by choosing an optimum transmit power level. Smart antenna or adaptive antenna array technology has reached a level of sophistication that it is feasible to use it on small mobile terminals like handheld PDA, LAPTOP and other mobile devices with limited battery power. The simulation results of various ad-hoc network scenario shows that there are significant gains to be had if these technologies can be integrated in the existing wireless LAN physical layer and/or in the standard them self. Smart antennas along with slight modification in channel access scheme reduce co-channel interference dramatically and increases the number of simultaneous transmissions hence improves network throughput. Power management algorithm is shown to improve average transmission of a node. We present a mathematical framework to characterize the outage probability of cellular mobile radio system with selective co-channel interference receiver in overloaded array environments. The mathematical framework outlines a general numerical procedure for computing the probability of outage of a cellular mobile radio system that is equipped with a smart antenna to suppress a few strongest co-channel interferers (CCI) out of a total of NI active interferers by null steering. / Master of Science

Les réseaux d’alimentation d’antennes multifaisceaux sont un sous-système particulièrement important dans la mesure où ils permettent de réutiliser une même ouverture rayonnante pour l’ensemble des faisceaux à produire. Ces solutions trouvent naturellement application dans le spatial, l’espace disponible pour aménager des antennes étant fortement contraint sur les satellites. Plusieurs solutions de réseaux d’alimentation sont disponibles dans la littérature, incluant des structures quasi-optique ou lentilles et des structures guidées. Nous avons approfondie cette deuxième catégorie en étudiant différentes solutions, incluant les matrices de Blass, de Butler, de Nolen, ainsi que des structures à lois de phase uniformes. En particulier, un mode de dimensionnement des matrices de Nolen, défini comme un cas particulier asymptotique d’un algorithme de dimensionnement de matrices de Blass, a été proposé et validé expérimentalement en bande S. La flexibilité du dimensionnement des matrices de Nolen proposé a été exploitée pour concevoir une matrice à distribution d’amplitude non-uniforme, afin de réduire le niveau des lobes secondaires. Enfin, le caractère dispersif d’une alimentation en série a été utilisé pour rendre le pointage angulaire du faisceau produit par une antenne réseau linéaire indépendant de la fréquence de fonctionnement et pourrait être étendu à des matrices de Blass et Nolen. Des structures à lois de phase uniformes et à distribution d’amplitudes uniforme et gaussienne ont été approfondies, afin de mettre en évidence notamment le niveau de pertes intrinsèques. La structure à distribution d’amplitude gaussienne a été modifiée pour l’adapter à des applications d’antennes réseaux circulaires. L’ensemble des informations regroupées dans ce mémoire permet d’identifier la topologie de réseau d’alimentation la mieux adaptée à une application donnée. Une combinaison de différents concepts peut s’avérer une bonne solution dans certains cas. / Beam forming networks for multiple beam antennas are a very important antenna sub-system as they enable to reuse the same radiating aperture to produce all the beams. These solutions naturally find application in space as stringent accommodation constraints on board of satellites ask for space saving. Several concepts are available in the literature, including quasi-optic solutions and guided wave solutions. We investigated on this second category, including namely Blass, Butler and Nolen matrices as well as beam forming networks producing uniform phase distribution. In particular, we proposed a designed method, defined as an asymptotic singular case of a more general Blass matrix design procedure. Experimental validation was carried out with a specific design in S-band. Flexibility on the design of Nolen matrix has been used to generate non-uniform amplitude distribution to reduce side-lobe level. Also, natural phase dispersion of a serial feeding network has been used to produce frequency independent beam pointing linear arrays with potential application to Blass and Nolen matrices. Beam forming networks with uniform phase distribution associated to uniform and Gaussian amplitude distributions were also investigated, in particular to highlight the level of the intrinsic losses. The structure with Gaussian amplitude distribution was also modified to be adapted to circular array antennas. All this information should help to identify the best suited beam forming network concept for a given application. In some particular cases, a combination of different concepts can even be considered.

In this study, a neural network(NN) based algorithm is proposed for real time multiple source tracking problem based on a previously reported work. The proposed algorithm namely modified neural network based multiple source tracking algorithm (MN-MUST) performs direction of arrival(DoA) estimation in three stages which are the detection, filtering and DoA estimation stages. The main contributions of this proposed system are: reducing the input size for the uncorrelated source case (reducing the training time) of NN system without degradation of accuracy and insertion of a nonlinear spatial filter to isolate each one of the sectors where sources are present, from the others. MN-MUST algorithm finds the targets correctly no matter whether the targets are located within the same angular sector or not. In addition as the number of targets exceeds the number of antenna elements the algorithm can still perform sufficiently well. Mutual coupling in array does not influence MN-MUST algorithm performance. iv MN-MUST algorithm is further improved for a cylindrical microstrip patch antenna array by using the advantages of directive antenna pattern properties. The new algorithm is called cylindrical patch array MN-MUST(CMN-MUST). CMN-MUST algorithm consists of three stages as MN-MUST does. Detection stage is exactly the same as in MN-MUST. However spatial filtering and DoA estimation stage are reduced order by using the advantages of directive antenna pattern of cylindirical microstrip patch array. The performance of the algorithm is investigated via computer simulations, for uniform linear arrays, a six element uniform dipole array and a twelve element uniform cylindrical microstrip patch array. The simulation results are compared to the previously reported works and the literature. It is observed that the proposed algorithm improves the previously reported works. The algorithm accuracy does not degrade in the presence of the mutual coupling. A uniform cylindrical patch array is successfully implemented to the MN-MUST algorithm. The implementation does not only cover full azimuth, but also improv the accuracy and speed. It is observed that the MN-MUST algorithm provides an accurate and efficient solution to the targettracking problem in real time.

This thesis reports the analysis of the rectangular shaped defected ground structure (RS-DGS) and the application of the structure on some microwave devices. DGS is analyzed in terms of its superior properties, which enables the designers to easily realize many kind of microwave devices which are impossible to achieve with the standard applications. Within the scope of this thesis, the focus is on the rectangular shaped DGS and its characteristic properties. The basic slow wave and high impedance characteristics are utilized in the design of some microwave devices. The design is carried on at the two different frequency bands: X-band and Ka band, centering at 10 GHz and 35 GHz, respectively. Finally, using the high impedance property and the coupling between the defects, a wide band 1 : 4 beam forming network is designed and implemented at 10 GHz.

This thesis discusses optoelectronic devices at mm-wave frequencies, focusing on optoelectronic beamforming and non-mechanical beam steering based on an optically excited Fresnel zone plate plasma. The optically controlled zone plate, termed the photo-injected Fresnel zone plate antenna (piFZPA) within this work, is introduced and a comprehensive theoretical framework developed. The design and optimisation of Fresnel zone plates are detailed, which determine the inherent performance of the piFZPA. A range of zone plates were designed, fabricated, and characterised at 94 GHz with up to 46 dBi gain, -26 dB sidelobe levels, and 67% aperture efficiency being measured for a quarter-wave design. The control of (sub) mm-wave beams by optical modulation of the complex permittivity of a semiconductor substrate is discussed. The significance of the free-carrier plasma dynamics, the effective lifetime, surface recombination, and the limits of the substrate which are imposed by the spatial resolution of the free-carrier plasma are highlighted, with the optimisation of these parameters discussed. The passivation quality of high-resistivity silicon wafers were characterised using a mm-wave photoconductance decay method, which yielded lifetime improvements from τ[subscript(eff)] = 60 us up to τ[subscript(eff)] ≈ 4,000 us, resulting in lowered recombination velocities (S = 15 cm/s). W-band characterisations of the passivated wafers illustrate the significance of surface recombination, with measured attenuations of up to 24 dB. Novel theoretical models are developed throughout this thesis, which yield insight into the requirements of optoelectronic devices, and are shown to agree well with measured data. The theoretical framework developed details the requirements, limitations, suitability, and design of piFZPAs at any frequency. A range of transmission-type piFZPAs are demonstrated and characterised at 94 GHz, both on-axis and off-axis, based on a novel architecture, with up to 8% aperture efficiency. Finally, the hybridisation of the piFZPA technique and well established visible display technologies, which has been developed throughout this thesis, enable low-cost, simple, and highly flexible optoelectronic devices, highlighting this method as an attractive solution to adaptive beamforming and non-mechanical steering at mm-wave and submm-wave frequencies.

Ce mémoire est consacré à l’étude et au développement d’un nouveau système antennaire agile en rayonnement appelé MARPEM (Matrice Agile Rayonnante à Pixels Elaborés en Métamatériaux). Ce système est formé d’une matrice planaire formée par un agencement jointif de pixels électromagnétiques. Le concept du pixel est inspiré de l’antenne à Bande Interdite Electromagnétique et entouré par une enceinte murale. Ces pixels sont alimentés par des circuits de formation de faisceaux.Des études théoriques approfondies ont montré des performances électromagnétiques de MARPEM concernant le faible couplage mutuel, les forts pointages électroniques et l’élimination de lobes de réseau. Trois prototypes ont été étudiés et réalisés afin de valider expérimentalement les performances de MARPEM et de répondre aux exigences de différentes applications. / This PhD thesis is dedicated to the study and the development of a novel agile antenna system called ‘Agile Radiating Matrix with Metamaterials Pixels’. This system is formed by a planar matrix which is composed by an association of jointed electromagnetic pixels. The pixel design is inspired from the electromagnetic band gap antenna and it is surrounded by metallic walls. These pixels are fed by means of several beam forming networks.The intensive theoretical study made on the matrix antenna, showed several electromagnetic performances concerning the low mutual coupling, the great beam steering for high scanning angles and the elimination of grating lobes. Three manufactured prototypes are presented in order to experimentally validate the matrix performances and to respond to some application requirements.

Cette thèse est basée sur un brevet réalisé chez XLIM Systèmes RF. La thèse précédente se concentre sur la partie théorique MARPEM et une certaine validation en polarisation linéaire. Dans cette thèse, nous avons visé à introduire le système MARPEM aux applications de polarisation circulaire en général et aux applications spatiales en particulier. Dans toute la thèse, MARPEM à polarité circulaire avec une architecture différente est réalisée avec la conception de circuits de polarisation et de diviseurs de puissance. On présente la formation de faisceau du motif Isoflux large avec le taux d'ellipticité, ainsi que des faisceaux de balayage sont réalisés pour grand azimut angles avec un bon taux d'ellipticité. Tous les résultats sont comparés à l'antenne réseau classique AESA. La fabrication de MARPEM à polarité circulaire et les circuits de polarisation et le diviseur de puissance sont effectués et les mesures correspondantes sont présentées. Ensuite, dans les perspectives, on s'attend à des défis différents dans un travail futur pour l'amélioration de système MARPEM. / This thesis is based on a patent done at XLIM RF-Systems. Previous thesis focuses on the ARMA theoretical part and some validation in linear polarization. In this thesis we aimed to introduce the system ARMA to the circular polarization applications in general and to space applications especially. In the entire thesis circularly polarized ARMA with different architecture are achieved with the design of polarization circuits and power dividers. Beam forming of the wide Isoflux pattern with the axial ratio are presented, also scanning beams are achieved for far angles with good axial ratio. All the results are compared with the classical array antenna AESA. Manufacturing of circularly polarized ARMA and the polarization circuits and the power divider are done and the corresponding measurements are presented. Then in the perspectives different challenges are expected to be in a future work for enhancement of the whole ARMA system.

Efficient coverage of wireless telecommunication networks requires the ability to control the directions in which base station antennas radiate. Conventional phased array in base stations are composed of large numbers of radiating elements. Ideally, each one of the radiating elements should be controlled to precisely steer the beams produced by the array, but this can prove both complex and costly. Instead of feeding each one of them separately, the elements can be grouped into what is called subarrays. In which case, only the input of the subarray is controlled, feeding multiple radiating elements at once uniformly. The complexity is reduced, but so are the overall performance and beam steering capabilities. A subarray can instead be passively controlled with an analog circuit called a Beam Forming Network (BFN), giving more flexibility in the operation of the array. Such beamformer should be compact, cost-effective and introduce as little losses as possible to justify its integration in the complete antenna system. BFNs are built from couplers and phase shifters that can route and combine the input signals to produce the desired output signals. The design of those components is therefore key to obtaining array systems with the desired characteristics and performance. A stripline coupler and a stripline phase shifter are proposed in this work, both are broadband. They can be useful in a variety of applications. In this project, they are used to build a Butler matrix. This BFN is compact and could help reduce complexity in advanced antenna systems with respect to current technology. / Effektiv täckning av trådlösa telekommunikationsnätverk kräver förmågan att styra i vilka riktningar basstationsantenner strålar. Konventionell fasad array i basstationer är sammansatta av ett stort antal strålande element. Helst bör vart och ett av de strålande elementen styras för att exakt styra strålarna som produceras av arrayen, men detta kan visa sig vara både komplext och kostsamt. Istället för att mata var och en av dem separat, kan elementen grupperas i vad som kallas subarrayer. I vilket fall kontrolleras endast ingången av subarrayen, vilket matar flera utstrålande element på en gång enhetligt. Komplexiteten minskar, men det är också den övergripande prestandan och strålstyrningskapaciteten. Subarrayer kan istället styras passivt med en analog krets som kallas BFN, vilket ger mer flexibilitet i driften av arrayen. Sådana strålbildare bör vara kompakta, kostnadseffektiva och medföra så små förluster som möjligt för att motivera deras integration i hela antennsystemet. BFNs är byggda av kopplare och fasskiftare som kan dirigera och kombinera ingångssignalerna för att producera de önskade utsignalerna. Utformningen av dessa komponenter är därför nyckeln till att erhålla arraysystem med önskade egenskaper och prestanda. En stripline-kopplare och en stripline-fasskiftare föreslås i detta arbete, båda är bredbandiga. De kan vara användbara i en mängd olika tillämpningar. I det här projektet används de för att bygga en Butler-matris. Denna BFN är kompakt och kan bidra till att minska komplexiteten i avancerade antennsystem med avseende på nuvarande teknik.

De nombreuses applications civiles et militaires (faisceaux hertziens, futurs réseaux mobiles, communications par satellite, radars automobiles, systèmes d’imagerie haute résolution) nécessitent des antennes à faisceau reconfigurable (dépointage de faisceau, faisceaux multiples, faisceaux formés). Les antennes à réseaux transmetteurs apparaissent comme une alternative aux réseaux phasés classiques ou aux réseaux réflecteurs pour ces applications. L’objectif principal de cette thèse est de démontrer la faisabilité de réseaux reconfigurables fabriqués avec des technologies standards en bande Ka (20-30 GHz). Divers cellules élémentaires utilisant des diodes p-i-n et fonctionnant en polarisation linéaire ou circulaire ont été conçues, optimisées et caractérisées. Les mesures en guide d’onde montrent des pertes minimales de 1,09 dB à 29,0 GHz et une bande passante à 3 dB de 14,7%. Une méthode de simulation hybride a été développée afin d’analyser efficacement des réseaux de grandes dimensions utilisant des rotations séquentielles d’éléments pour optimiser la qualité de polarisation et les diagrammes de rayonnement. Un réseau de 400 cellules élémentaires fonctionnant en polarisation circulaire a été réalisé et testé en chambre anéchoïque. Un dépointage électronique de ±60° et la possibilité de commuter entre les deux polarisations circulaires (droite/gauche) ont été démontrés. / Several civil and military applications (hertzian beams, satellite communications, automotive radars, high resolution imaging systems) require antennas with reconfigurable beam capabilities (beam-scanning, beamshaping, multiple beam generation). Transmitarray antennas are good candidates and represent an alternative to classical phased arrays or reflect-arrays for these applications. The main objective of this thesis is to demonstrate the feasibility of reconfigurable transmitarrays fabricated with standard technologies in Ka-band (20-30 GHz). Different unit-cell designs based on p-i-n diodes have been developed to work in linear and circular polarization. Their optimization and experimental characterization have been performed. Waveguide measurements show insertion losses of 1.09 dB at 29.0 GHz with a 3-dB bandwidth of 14.7%. A hybrid simulation technique has been developed in order to analyze efficiently large transmitarrays in which the sequential rotation technique has been applied to optimize the polarization quality and the radiation patterns. A 400-elements transmitarray operating in circular polarization has been realized and tested in anechoic chamber. A beam-scanning angular coverage of ±60° and circular polarization selection (left/right) have been demonstrated.