A compact, frequency-reconfigurable filtenna with sharp out-of-band rejection in both its wideband and continuously tunable narrowband states is presented. It is intended for use in cognitive radio applications. The wideband state is the sensing state and operationally covers 2.35-4.98 GHz. The narrowband states are intended to cover communications within the 3.05-4.39 GHz range, which completely covers the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) band and the satellite communications C-band. A p-i-n diode is employed to switch between these wide and narrowband operational states. Two varactor diodes are used to shift the operational frequencies continuously among the narrowband states. The filtenna consists of a funnel-shaped monopole augmented with a reconfigurable filter; it has a compact electrical size: 0.235 lambda(L) x 0.392 lambda(L), where the wavelength lambda(L) corresponds to the lower bound of its operational frequencies. The measured reflection coefficients, radiation patterns, and realized gains for both operational states are in good agreement with their simulated values.

Microelectromechanical resonators have found widespread applications in timing, sensing and spectral processing. One of the important performance metrics of MEMS resonators is the temperature sensitivity of their frequency. The main objective of this dissertation is the compensation and control of the temperature sensitivity of silicon resonators through engineering of device geometry and structural composition. This has been accomplished through formation of composite platforms or novel geometries based on dispersion characteristics of guided acoustic waves in single crystalline silicon (SCS) microstructures. Furthermore, another objective of this dissertation is to develop efficient longitudinal piezoelectric transduction for in-plane resonance modes of SCS resonators that have lithographically-defined frequencies, to reduce their motional resistance (Rm). A uniformly distributed matrix of silicon dioxide pillars is embedded inside the silicon substrate to form a homogenous composite silicon-oxide platform (SilOx) with nearly perfect temperature-compensated stiffness moduli. Temperature-stable micro-resonators implemented in SilOx platform operating in any desired in- and out-of-plane resonance modes show full compensation of linear temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF). Overall frequency drifts as small as 80 ppm has been achieved over the industrial temperature range (-40°C to 80°C) showing a 40x improvement compared to uncompensated native silicon resonators. A 27 MHz temperature-compensated MEMS oscillator implemented using SilOx resonator demonstrated sub-ppm instability over the industrial temperature range. Besides this, a new formulation of different resonance modes of SCS resonators based on their constituent acoustic waves is presented in this dissertation. This enables engineering of the acoustic resonator to provide several resonance modes with mechanical energy trapped in central part of the resonator, thus obviating narrow tethers traditionally used for anchoring the cavity to the substrate. This facilitates simultaneous piezoelectric-transduction of multiple modes with different TCFs through independent electrical ports, which can realize highly accurate self-temperature sensing of the device using a beat frequency (fb) generated from linear combination of different modes. Piezoelectrically-transduced multi-port silicon resonators implemented using this technique provide highly temperature-sensitive fb with a large TCF of ~8500 ppm/°C showing 100x improvement compared to other Quartz/MEMS counterparts, suggesting these devices as highly sensitive temperature sensors for environmental sensing and temperature-compensated/oven-controlled crystal oscillator (TCXO/OCXO) applications. Another part of this dissertation introduces a novel longitudinal piezoelectric transduction technique developed for implementation of low Rm silicon resonators operating in lithographically defined in-plane modes. Aluminum nitride films deposited on the sidewalls of thick silicon microstructures provides efficient electromechanical transduction required to achieve low Rm. 100 MHz SCS bulk acoustic resonators implemented using this transduction technique demonstrates Rm of 33Ω showing a 100x improvement compared to electrostatically transduced counterparts. Low-loss narrow-band filters with tunable bandwidth and frequency have been implemented by electrical coupling of these devices, showing their potential for realization of truly reconfigurable and programmable filter arrays required for software-defined radios.

Ces travaux de thèse portent sur l‟étude de filtres « multi-fonctions » dont l‟objectif serait de réduire les dimensions des circuits réalisant les fonctions de filtrage dans les systèmes aéroportés. Ces travaux ont donc conduit à la réalisation de filtres large bande (2 – 18 GHz) réjecteurs développés en technologie MMIC utilisant la filière GaN, ainsi que des filtres large bande développés suivant la filière AsGa en technologie MMIC. Les différents filtres réjecteurs ont été conçus suivant deux principes :- Le premier basé sur une structure à résonateurs à lignes couplées. Les différents prototypes réalisés ont permis de montrer l‟accordabilité en fréquence grâce à une charge variable placée à l‟extrémité non court-circuité de la ligne couplée. Celle-ci peut être réalisée par une diode varactor ou par un transistor froid. Ces prototypes ont également permis de montrer la possibilité de fonctionner suivant un mode passe-tout ou un mode réjecteur par simple polarisation de transistors chargés à l‟extrémité de la ligne couplée.- Le second est basé sur l‟accordabilité de filtres actifs par commutation entre plusieurs canaux à l‟aide d‟une structure distribuée. Un prototype a été développé et réalisé en technologie AsGa. Cette structure permet à la fois une accordabilité en fréquences, ainsi qu‟en largeur de bande passante (par activation de plusieurs canaux de bandes passantes adjacentes), et une adaptation large bande. Cette structure réunit à la fois des fonctions d‟accordabilité en fréquences (entre 8,7 et 15,6 GHz) par polarisation d‟éléments actifs, ceux-ci permettant même d‟obtenir du gain (de l‟ordre de 10 dB). / The aim of this work is to study “multi-functions” filters with an objective to reduce the dimensions of the circuits used for filtering functions in airborne systems. This work allows to obtain wide band notch filters (from 2 to 18 GHz) developed in MMIC technology using theEtude de Filtres MMIC Hyperfréquences en Technologies GaN et AsGa. 152GaN process and wide band filters developed in GaAs technology. The notch filters have been realized with two principles:- The first one based on coupled lines resonators structure. The prototype manufactured allow to validate the frequency tunability thanks to a variable load placed at the end of the coupled line. This can be realized with a varactor diode or with a cold transistor. These prototypes allow also validating the possibility for the circuit to work as an “allpass” filter or as a notch filter by applying a bias voltage on the transistors placed at the end of the coupled line.- The second one is based on the tenability of active filters by commuting between several channels thanks to a distributed structure. A prototype has been developed and manufactured in GaAs technology. This structure allow a frequency tunability with also the possibility to tune the bandwidth (by activating seeral channels with edge bandwidth), and a wide band matching. This structure allows to obtain frequency tunability (between 8.7 and 15.6 GHz) by applying a bias voltage on the active elements which brin gain (around 10 dB).

[ES] El creciente número de dispositivos intercambiando datos ha empujado a las empresas del sector espacial a utilizar bandas de frecuencia cada vez más altas, como Ku, K y Ka, ya que permiten emplear canales de frecuencia más anchos. A medida que disminuye la longitud de onda, el tamaño de los filtros se reduce y, por tanto, son más sensibles a las desviaciones de fabricación. Para compensar estos errores, es necesario emplear elementos de sintonía en la etapa de diseño. En este contexto presentamos una estrategia de diseño que permite incluir todos los factores no ideales, como elementos de sintonía o esquinas redondeadas, en las simulaciones finales de filtros y multiplexores. Una vez se han fabricado los filtros es necesario ajustar manualmente los elementos de sintonía hasta recuperar la respuesta objetivo. Sin embargo, para realizar esta tarea con éxito es necesario tener mucha experiencia previa y, aún así, conlleva un tiempo considerable. Por tanto, también proponemos un procedimiento de sintonización eficiente y sistemático que permite a cualquier persona, independientemente de su experiencia previa en sintonización, realizar esta tarea con éxito. Además del aumento de las tasas de transmisión, otros desafíos del sector espacial son reducir el tamaño y peso de sus componentes, así como dotarlos de capacidad dereconfiguración. Emplear dispositivos multifunción como filtros multibanda o dispositivos reconfigurables es una posible solución. En este contexto, proponemos una nueva familia de filtros multibanda en guía de ondas que puede adaptarse a las futuras necesidades del sector espacial. Con el mismo objetivo, también proponemos una familia de dispositivos reconfigurables de varios estados discretos que pueden modificar su comportamiento de forma remota. / [CA] El creixent nombre de dispositius intercanviant dades ha empés a les empreses del sector espacial a utilitzar bandes de freqüència cada vegada més altes, com Ku, K i Ka, ja que permeten fer servir canals de freqüència més amples. A mesura que la longitud d'ona disminueix, la mida dels filtres es redueix i, per tant, són més sensibles a les desviacions de fabricació. Per compensar aquests errors, és necessari fer servir elements de sintonia en l'etapa de disseny. En aquest context presentem una estratègia de disseny que permet incloure tots els factors no ideals, com a elements de sintonia o cantonades arrodonides, en les simulacions finals de filtres i multiplexors. Una vegada s'han fabricat els filtres és necessari ajustar manualment els elements de sintonia fins a recuperar la resposta objectiu. Però, per realitzar aquesta tasca amb èxit és necessari tenir molta experiència prèvia i, així i tot, comporta un temps considerable. Per tant, també proposem un procediment de sintonització eficient i sistemàtic que permet a qualsevol persona, independentment de la seua experiència prèvia en sintonització, realitzar aquesta tasca amb èxit. A més de l'augment de les taxes de transmissió, altres desafiaments de el sector espacial són reduir la mida i pes dels seus components, així com dotar-los de capacitat de reconfiguració. Emprar dispositius multifunció com filtres multibanda o dispositius reconfigurables és una possible solució. En aquest context, proposem una nova família de filtres multibanda en guia d'ones que pot adaptar-se a les futures necessitats del sector espacial. Amb el mateix objectiu, també proposem una família de dispositius reconfigurables de diversos estats discrets que poden modificar el seu comportament de forma remota. / [EN] The need for ever increasing data rate of modern communication systems has motivated companies in the space sector to exploit higher frequency bands, such as Ku, K and Ka, in order to offer wider bandwidths to their customers. However, as the frequency increases, the wavelength decreases, and all waveguide hardware becomes smaller and more sensitive to deviations from the ideal dimensions that normally occur when manufacturing the devices. In order to compensate for these deviations (or errors), tuning elements must then be added to the hardware and included in the design process. In this context, therefore, we focus on the investigation of novel design strategies for filters and multiplexers with the objective of including all necessary non-ideal factors in the design process. It is important to note in this context that, once the filters are manufactured, the tuning elements are usually adjusted manually until the desired target performance has been achieved. However, successfully performing this task requires a considerable amount of time and very significant previous experience in tuning microwave filters. Consequently, an additional goal of our research work is to propose efficient and systematic tuning procedures so that anyone, regardless of their previous tuning experience, can successfully perform this difficult task. In addition to the increasing data rates, another current challenge of advanced communication systems is the ability to be reconfigured remotely to adjust to changes in costumer demands. The use of multi-function or reconfigurable devices is then an attractive possible solution. In this context, therefore, we also investigate new families of multi-band waveguide filters that can be used to accommodate several pass bands in the same filtering device. Furthermore, we also propose a new family of reconfigurable devices with several discrete states that can be easily controlled remotely. / Melgarejo Lermas, JC. (2021). Advanced Techniques for the Design and Optimization of Multi-Band and Reconfigurable Microwave Waveguide Filters [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/172728 / TESIS