Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation presents a circuit-based design technique that leads to benefits in terms of the physical size, manufacturability, and exibility in the design of N-way conical line power combiners. An equivalent circuit model for the peripheral input ports of conical line power combiners is extracted, as well as empirical equations that allow the circuit element values to be calculated directly from the physical dimensions of the combiner, and vice versa. This allows for rapid optimization of various dimensions of the combiner at a significantly reduced computational cost compared to full-wave simulations. A design procedure is presented and a conical combiner designed with a measured reflection coefficient of better than -18 dB over a 46 % bandwidth around 10 GHz. The designed prototype is much smaller compared to previous designs while exhibiting similar performance. Design procedures for single-section and multi-section impedance tapered conical to coaxial line transitions are also presented, which can be used to simplify the design of conical combiners and reduce the manufacturing effort. Two combiners are designed, one with a single-section and one with a multi-section transition, and output port reflection coefficients of -23 dB and -17 dB over bandwidths of 20 % and 43 % around 10 GHz are measured, respectively. This dissertation additionally presents a method that can be used in general to improve the input port isolation of N-way power combiners without affecting their reciprocity. A simple S-parameter proof is presented, followed by a derivation of equations that can be used to estimate the worst-case performance. Some design examples are presented, showing that terminations can be used for isolation loads. A prototype based on microstrip transmission lines is manufactured and a much improved input port reflection and isolation performance of -15 dB and 20 dB is measured, respectively, compared to a simulated input port reflection coefficient of -2:5 dB and isolation of 2:5 dB before the method was applied. ii / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie proefskrif stel 'n stroombaangebaseerde ontwerpsmetode voor wat lei tot voordele in terme van die fisiese grootte, vervaardigbaarheid, en vryheid in die ontwerp van koniese lyn kombineerders. 'n Ekwivalente stroombaanmodel vir die voerpoorte word onttrek, asook empiriese vergelykings wat gebruik kan word om die stroombaanelement waardes vanaf die afmetings van die kombineerder te bepaal. Dit laat die ontwerper toe om verskeie afmetings van die kombineerder te optimeer teen 'n beduidende laer koste in vergelyking met volgolf simulasies. 'n Ontwerpsprosedure word voorgestel en gebruik om 'n koniese kombineerder te ontwerp en 'n weerkaatskoëffisient van beter as -18 dB met 'n bandwydte van 46 % om 10 GHz word gemeet. Die prototipe is aansienlik kleiner as vorige ontwerpe, maar toon soortgelyke werkverrigting. Ontwerpsprosedures vir enkel en veelvoudige deel koniese na koaksiale lyn oorgange word ook voorgestel, wat gebruik kan word om die ontwerp en vervaardiging van koniese kombineerders te vereenvoudig. Twee kombineerders word ontwerp, een met 'n enkel deel oorgang en een met veelvoudige dele, en onderskeidelike uittree weerkaatskoëffisiente van -23 dB en -17 dB oor bandwydtes van 20 % en 43 % word gemeet. Hierdie proefskrif stel ook 'n metode voor wat gebruik kan word om die intree poort isolasie van N-rigting kombineerders in die algemeen te verbeter, sonder om die wederkerigheid daarvan te beïnvloed. 'n Bewys van die metode word gelewer, gevolg deur 'n afleiding van vergelykings wat gebruik kan word om die slegste-geval werkverrigting af te skat. Verskillende voorbeelde van kombineerders word getoon waarop die metode toegepas is, en wys dat terminasies gebruik kan word vir die isolasie laste. 'n Prototipe gebaseer op mikrostrook transmissielyne word vervaardig en 'n verbeterde intreepoort weerkaatskoëffisient en isolasie van onderskeidelik -15 dB en 20 dB word gemeet, in vergelyking met 'n weerkaatskoëffisient van -2:5 dB en isolasie van 2:5 dB voordat die metode toegepas is.

Thesis (PhD (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / This dissertation presents a technique for the design of N-way conical line power combiners, which offers significant advantages over existing axially symmetric combining techniques. A full analytical study of conical transmission lines is done, and evaluated results are presented. These include a proof of the cutoff frequency equation, and plots of the field patterns, of higher order modes which are unavailable in literature. A coaxial fed conical line combiner for 10 inputs is proposed, designed and evaluated. The design technique relies on the uniform transmission line characteristics of the conical lines to eliminate the need for complex full wave optimisation, typically needed in the design of the more commonly used radial line combiners. Circuit models are instead employed to achieve a wide matched bandwidth by using optimised stepped impedance coaxial lines to feed the combining structure. The prototype developed at X-band displays more than an octave bandwidth with a return loss of better than -14.5 dB. Using tapered line matching sections increases the power handling capability of the combiner by eliminating sharp edges, and allows for tolerance insensitive manufacture of the structure by widening conductor spacings. Such a 10-way prototype is developed at X-band which displays a -18.7 dB return loss bandwidth of 47% with very low losses. A study is done to determine the limitations on the design of general N-way combiners, and the results are incorporated into the design technique. The full process is demonstrated by the design and simulation of a 30-way combiner at Ku-band which displays a simulated -20 dB return loss bandwidth of 34%. The design technique is simple to execute and requires very little full wave analysis. Results obtained with the manufactured combiners are better than those of any previously published axially symmetric combiners.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 28-31, 1996 / Town and Country Hotel and Convention Center, San Diego, California / This paper will discuss the design and performance of card level telemetry receivers and combiners. This will include products that have been designed to operate in compact computer controlled environments such as VME chassis, VXI chassis and personal computers using ISA buses. The paper will discuss design considerations required to overcome limitation of this environment such as noise and space. The paper will also discuss the performance of a telemetry receiver and combiner in this environment. This will include performance test results such as bit error rate test, phase noise measurements and combiner improvement measurements. Finally, the paper will discuss typical applications of card level telemetry receivers and combiners.

Ce travail s’inscrit dans un projet consistant à développer un prototype de capteur RF autonome et intelligent permettant la réalisation d’un réseau de capteurs sans fil dans un environnement industriel. Cette thèse traite de l’étude, la conception et la réalisation de la partie radiofréquence de la chaîne d’émission sans fils du capteur RF dans la bande ISM 863-870 MHz en technologie CMOS AMS 0.35µm. Cette chaîne inclut toutes les fonctions depuis l’oscillateur local jusqu’à l’amplificateur de puissance. L’émetteur occupe une surface de 0.22mm² et consomme environ 27mA sous une tension d’alimentation de 3.3V. De nombreux principes innovants ont été mis en œuvre et validés. Tous ces principes peuvent être facilement transposés à d’autres standards de communication et dans d’autres bandes de fréquences. Les résultats de simulations du dessin des masques vérifient complètement les spécifications et confirment les simulations. Une caractérisation expérimentale partielle valide les nouvelles architectures proposées. / This work joins in a project consisting in developing prototype of an autonomous and smart RF sensor allowing the realization of a wireless sensor network in an industrial environment. This thesis deals with the study, the design and the realization of the radio-frequency part of the transmitter using the 863-870 MHz ISM band and the CMOS AMS 0.35µm technology. This transmitter includes all the functions from the local oscillator to the power amplifier. The integrated circuit occupies a surface of 0.22mm² and consumes approximately 27mA under a supply voltage of 3.3V. Numerous innovative principles were implemented and validated. All these principles can be easily transposed into other standards of communication and in other frequency bands. The results of the post-layout simulation completely satisfy the specifications and confirm the simulations. Partial experimental characterization validates new architectures proposed.