ITC/USA 2010 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-Sixth Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 25-28, 2010 / Town and Country Resort & Convention Center, San Diego, California / In this article we present results from modeling and simulation of a L-band reflection type phase shifter (RTPS) that provides continuous phase shift of 0° to 360°. The RTPS circuit uses a 90º hybrid coupler and two reflective load networks consisting of varactor diodes and inductors. Proper design of 90° hybrid coupler is critical in realizing maximum phase shift. The RTPS circuit implemented on a Rogers Duroid substrate is large in size. We discuss methods to reduce the size of L-band RTPS.

This thesis includes the study of hybrid microwave integrated circuits (HMIC), miniaturization techniques applied on HMICs and its application on a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) range sensor transceiver. In the scope of study, hybrid and monolithic microwave integrated circuits (HMIC and MMIC) are introduced, advantages and disadvantages of these two types are discussed. Large size of HMICs is the main disadvantage especially for military and civil applications requiring miniature volumes. This thesis is mainly devoted on miniaturization work of HMICs in order to cope with this problem. In this scope, miniaturization techniques of some HMICs such as 3 dB hybrid couplers and stubs are examined and analyzed. Their simulation and measurement results cohere with original circuit results. Nevertheless, considerable size reduction up to 80% is achieved. Moreover, planar interdigital capacitors (IDC), spiral inductors (SI) and their equivalent circuit models are introduced. Design technique is discussed with illustrative electromagnetic (EM) simulations. Furthermore, FMCW radar is introduced with its basic operation principles, brief history and usage areas. In addition, FMCW range sensor transceiver is designed with its sub&amp / #8208 / parts / power amplifier, low noise amplifier (LNA), coupler and front end. Multi technology based on chip transistors, interdigital capacitors, spiral inductors and hybrid couplers with wire&amp / #8208 / bond connections is used in the design. As the result of using hybrid miniaturized components small layout size is achieved for the transceiver system with its all components.

Nowadays, demands for fully integrated and miniaturized RFIC (Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits) have increased in wireless microwave communication system. Passive components such as coupler, divider and filters are always fabricated in outside of ICs due to their bulky sizes, which have been a great barrier to a realization of a fully integrated design. To solve this problem, miniaturization of passive components is one of the big issues at the present time. This paper shows the development of two important microwave passive components, quadrature hybrid and rat-race couplers for LTE lower (698 -960 MHz) and higher (1.71 - 2.70 GHz) frequency bands, which are obtained by replacing quarter-wave (λ/4) transmission line of a conventional coupler by their equivalent coupled line, resulting in significant size reduction. The miniaturized quadrature and rat race couplers are designed and fabricated with a Rogers 4360 substrate as a platform in producing significantly reduction. The design is validated by electromagnetic simulation and measurement. The size of the implemented quadrature hybrid coupler is 30 × 26.8 mm^2 and 14.9 × 12.5 mm^2, which are 82.60 % and 69.03% compared to the conventional couplers for lower and higher frequency band respectively. And, 55.5 × 27.9 mm^2 and 19.2 × 14.8 mm^2 for rat race coupler, which are 79.69 % and 62.35 % compared to the conventional coupler for lower and higher frequency band, respectively. Also, the reflection coefficient and the isolation are as good as conventional one and coupling procedure is similar or better than it.

With the rapid and ongoing developments in telecommunication and electronic warfare technology, faster and more flexible systems are in demand. Wideband signal processing is thus needed to implement such systems. Microwave photonics has been introduced as a tool for achieving such ultra broadband signal processing. Instantaneous Frequency Measurement (IFM) receivers play an important role in electronic warfare. They have been developed as a means of obtaining a rapid indication of the presence of a threat and to roughly identify the frequency of the threat signals. They also have the advantages of low-cost, compactness and moderate to good sorting capability in an interference-free environment. The main limitation of the traditional RF IFM receivers is constrained bandwidth. Microwave Photonic IFMs have been considered, but the main disadvantages of photonic realization of the recent IFM receiver is cost. This work aims to propose and demonstrate low-cost photonic IFM receivers with a broad frequency measurement range. The proposed methods are based on the use of photonic mixing to down-convert the RF modulated optical signals to DC. In a RADAR warning receiver, usually a bank of IFMs is required. Increasing the numbers of IFMs requires an increase in the number of photo-detectors. Thus if low-frequency, low-cost detectors can be used, then the net system cost will be reduced significantly. The concept is proven and the issues arising are analyzed. In the proof of concept system, measurement of the RF frequency required advance knowledge of the RF power. Secondly, the use of co-axial RF cables as delay elements limited the bandwidth and increased bulk. Using a photonic hybrid approach to achieve orthogonal measurements was demonstrated as a means of dentifying both RF frequency and power simultaneously and independently. Employing all optical mixing removed the need for co-axial RF cables delays using non-linear optical devices such as Semiconductor Optical Amplifier (SOA) and Highly Non-Linear Fiber (HLNF). The last investigation is to improve the sensitivity of the implemented IFM system. The sensitivity of the implemented system is characterized first and a lock-in technique is employed to improve the sensitivity of the system. The final system achieves a sensitivity of -41 dBm which is comparable with the traditional RF IFM receivers.

As multimedia devices advance, current high-speed wireless standards may soon struggleto support their growing demand for data speeds. This results in limitations in bandwidthfor applications, notably affecting activities like streaming high-definition television andultra-high-definition video. The proposed solution is to go up in frequency (millimeterwaves) allowing for use of greater bandwidths, in new bands. A problem is, however,that the path loss at mmWave frequencies is substantially greater than at frequencies below6GHz, currently the main frequency range used by both cellular and Wi-Fi. In order tocompensate for the increase in pathloss, wireless systems operating at mmWave frequenciesneed to use high gain antennas e.g. antenna arrays. Such arrays operate using digital oranalog beamforming. In this thesis the design, fabrication and verification of an analogbeamforming network connected to a four-antenna element patch array implemented at26GHz on a four-layer printed circuit board is presented. The components of the structuresof the Butler matrix beamforming network were designed and evaluated in simulationsusing CST. The stack up is a four-layer PCB-board with antenna elements and feedingnetwork on opposite outer layers. All structures in the Butler matrix were constructedin micro strip line with characteristic impedance of 50 ohm on Rogers RT-duroid 5880substrate to reduce dielectric losses. The designed 4x4 Butler matrix aimed at four set stateswith progressive phase differences ±45 and ±135 resulting in main lobes with direction -40,-15, 14 and 39 degrees. In the simulation, a progressive phase difference up to a deviationof up to 8.6 degrees was observed for all states. The fabricated Butler matrix was verified onan antenna measurement range to have main lobe directions of -45, -15, 15 and 40 degreesand with half power beam widths (HPBW) of 27.5, 25, 25 and 27.5 degrees respectively.The nulls between each lobe in the radiation pattern had a relative gain compared to peakvalue of -12.2 dBi resulting in similar magnitude as noise floor. The side lobe suppressionwere evaluated to minimum of 6.3 dB. The high directivity and well-defined nulls confirmthe hybrid couplers properties of equal power division as well as phase difference betweenoutput ports. The patch antennas were verified to have a dominant linear polarization butthe peak value for all lobes shows a deviation of -4.1 dB for all measurements comparedto simulation. In conclusion the final patch antenna array and Butler matrix performed asexpected from the simulation. Indicating that the proposed analog beam forming antennadesign is robust and well suited to be used in e.g. Open RAN applications.

Afin de répondre à la demande croissante du nombre d'objets connectés et de débits de données plus élevés, la cinquième génération de réseau mobile (5G) va être déployée.Pour répondre à ces défis, la 5G utilisera le beamforming pour améliorer la qualité de transmission et étendre la couverture du réseau. En raison du manque de spectre RF disponible en dessous de 6 GHz, l'industrie de la téléphonie mobile étudie actuellement les bandes de fréquences millimétriques en particulier autour de 28 GHz. L'utilisation de la technologie CMOS pour les applications 5G apparait prometteuse pour le marché de masse que vise la 5G, d'autant qu'aujourd'hui la miniaturisation des transistors CMOS permet un fonctionnement compétitif aux fréquences millimétriques. Pour répondre à toutes les attentes de la 5G notamment en termes de fiabilité, de nouvelles idées en rupture, avec le self-healing et le self-contained, permettent d’utiliser au maximum les avantages de la technologie CMOS tout en proposant un fonctionnement fiable pou rl’amplificateur. Dans le cadre du self-healing et du self-contained, plusieurs circuits son tintégrés sur silicium tel qu'un amplificateur intégrant un détecteur de puissance totalement non invasif pour le self-healing et un amplificateur équilibré pour le selfcontained. / In order to meet the growing demand for more connected objects and higher data rates,the fifth generation of mobile network (5G) will be deployed. To address thesechallenges, the 5G will use beamforming to improve the transmission quality and extendthe network coverage. Due to the lack of available RF spectrum below 6 GHz, the mobileindustry is studying millimeter wave frequency bands in particular around 28 GHz. Theuse of CMOS technology for 5G applications is promising for the 5G mass market,especially nowadays the miniaturization of CMOS transistors allows competitiveoperation at millimeter frequencies. To meet all the expectations of the 5G especially interms of reliability, new breakthrough ideas, with the self-healing and the selfcontained,allow to use all the benefits of CMOS technology to the maximum whileoffering reliable operation for the amplifier. Within the framework of self-healing andself-contained, several circuits are integrated on silicon such as an amplifier integratedwith a totally non-invasive power detector for self-healing and a balanced self-containedamplifier.

Ces travaux de recherches s’inscrivent dans le cadre d’une amélioration du bilan de liaison des données de télémesures sur les lanceurs spatiaux. Pour cela, un dispositif d’antenne à pointage électronique a été choisi. Celui-ci utilise un réseau de quatre antennes patchs alimentés par un prototype composé d’un diviseur de puissance 1 vers 4 et de quatre déphaseurs. Les états de phases choisis pour chacun des déphaseurs sont 0°, 90° et 180°. Après une étude bibliographique, les meilleurs déphaseurs pouvant assurer cette fonction sont les déphaseurs à base de coupleur hybride. Grâce à l’utilisation de MEMS-RF dans ces circuits, il est n’est pas nécessaire de rajouter des amplificateurs de puissance, car ces composants sont faibles pertes RF et linéaires. Plusieurs topologies de déphaseurs à base de coupleur hybride utilisant ces commutateurs ont été étudiés. D’après cette étude, il a été possible de réduire la taille des circuits sans détériorer les performances RF, ce qui nous a permis d’en choisir deux d’entre eux. Un commande à distance est nécessaire pour ces dispositifs alors une boîte à relais a été choisie pour assurer ce rôle. Le premier prototype est composé d’un diviseur de puissance qui a été commandé et de quatre déphaseurs fabriqués. Le deuxième prototype est entièrement intégré sur puce, ce qui a permis de réduire la surface du dispositif ainsi que d’améliorer les pertes RF. Ces travaux ont donc pu montrer la faisabilité de fabriquer un prototype simple, faible pertes, et linéaire. / These research works is within the context of an improved link budget telemetry data on space launchers. For this device, an electronically steerable antenna was chosen. It uses an array of four patch antennas supplied by a prototype composed of a power splitter 1 to 4 and four phase shifters. For each selected phase shifters, the phase states are 0 °, 90 ° and 180 °.After a bibliographical study, the best phase shifters that can perform this function are the shifters based on hybrid coupler. Thanks to the use of RF-MEMS in these circuits, it is not necessary to add power amplifiers because these components are linear and present low RF losses. Several topologies of phase shifters based on hybrid coupler using RF-MEMS were studied. According to this study, it was possible to reduce the size of circuits without damaging the RF performance, which allowed us to choose two of them. A remote control is needed for these devices to relay box then was chosen for this role. The first prototype consists of a power divider which was commissioned and produced phase shifters. The second prototype is fully integrated on-chip, which has reduced the device surface and improves the RF losses.These studies were able to demonstrate the feasibility to produce a simple linear prototype with low RF losses.

With the increase in demand for compact and high data rate communication systems, there is a need for high efficiency with modulated signals (PAPR 5-10 dB) for base-station power amplifiers. One of the famous architectures used to achieve this is Doherty architecture. The architecture has recently been extended to the Load Modulated Balanced Amplifier (LMBA) concept, where a separate integrated amplifier generates the control signal for load modulation. Almost all published studies are concerned with discrete "PCB-based" solutions for LMBA. In a recent study [1], the potential of designing an integrated LMBA in 0.18 μm CMOS has been evaluated. The main limitation concerning losses and area comes from the quadrature couplers, consisting of either two or four inductors. Using active inductors in the coupler design may be possible to obtain a more cost-effective solution. However, several aspects must be taken into consideration. One is that the power consumption of the active inductor should not exceed the power loss of the passive inductor. Another one is the ability to handle high power signals (high voltage swing), corresponding to 10-15 dBm at the input of the amplifier. The main objective of this thesis is to implement a hybrid coupler using an active inductor based on the theory of gyrators. The circuits were implemented using TSMC 0.18 μm process. The coupler and the active inductor are designed to operate at 2 GHz centre frequency. The active inductor implemented is considerably linear up to 12 dBm. The coupler has an input reflection coefficient (S11) of -26 dB, the transmission coefficient (S21) of -4.4 dB, and a coupling coefficient (S31) of -2.4 dB. The coupler shows good coupling and isolation characteristics. The phase difference between the through-port and the coupled-port of the coupler is 92°. As a result, when used as a power divider at the input of the power amplifiers, a PAE (Power Added Efficiency) of 63% and output power of 23 dBm is obtained at an input power of 12 dBm.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis addresses the complications that are encountered when characterising the performance of differential microwave LNAs. The predominant sources of noise in electronic circuits are introduced and equivalent two-port noise models for active devices are derived. Correlation between noise generators are defined by means of the noise correlation matrix and existing network theory is adapted to include noise analysis of twoport and multi-port networks. Mixed-mode scattering parameters are introduced in order to define the signal performance of differential and common-mode propagation in multi-port networks and, by applying the same theory, the mixed-mode correlation matrix for a three-port dLNA is derived. Furthermore, an expression is derived for de-embedding the differential noise figure of a three-port dLNA using two single ended measurements. Two dLNA designs, both incorporating wideband 180°-Hybrid ring couplers, are discussed and the differential signal and noise performance of the dLNAs are compared to that of their constituent single ended LNAs. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis behandel die komplikasies wat ontwerpers in die gesig staar tydens die karakterisering van mikrogolf differensiële laeruis versterkers. Die hoof ruisbronne in stroombane word bespreek en ekwivalente tweepoortnetwerkmodelle vir aktiewe toestelle word afgelei. Korrelasie tussen ruisbronne word gedefnieer deur middel van ruiskorrelasiematrikse en bestaande tweepoort- en multipoort-netwerkteorie word aangepas om ruismodelle in te sluit. Weens die feit dat differensiële- en gemene-wyse voortplanting van seine voorkom in multipoortnetwerke word gemengde-modus S-parameters behandel. Dieselfde teorie maak dit vervolgens moontlik om die gemengde-modus ruiskorrelasiematriks van ’n drie-poort differensiële laeruis versterker af te lei. Verder word daar ’n wyse voorgestel waarmee die differensiëleruissyfer van ’n drie-poort differensiële laeruis versterker vanuit twee enkel ruissyfermetings bereken kan word. Twee differensiële laeruis versterker ontwerpe, waarvan beide wyeband 180 -differensiaalkoppelaars implementeer, word bespreek en die differensiëlesein- asook die differensiëleruis-werking word vergelyk met die werking van die omsluite ongebalanseerde laeruis versterkers.

L’objectif de ces travaux est pour d’apporter des solutions innovantes à la réalisation de dispositifs passifs performants et compacts, susceptibles d’intéresser les concepteurs de circuits RF et millimétriques. Ces dispositifs sont basés notamment sur des lignes microrubans à ondes lentes sur substrat structuré, que cela soit sur PCB avec des vias borgnes pour la RF, ou nanostructurés sur membranes à nanofils pour le millimétrique. Les travaux complets comprennent (i) une analyse de la topologie, (ii) un développement du modèle équivalent validée par des simulations électromagnétiques (HFSSTM) et des mesures sur PCB et sur des membranes brésiliennes en millimétrique, (iii) des abaques de conceptions et (iv) des applications à la conception des nouveaux dispositifs passifs miniaturisés. Notre lignes offrent une grande souplesse de conception et peuvent être placées indifféremment sur le substrat structuré sans modification de leurs paramètres électriques. Un nouveau coupleur hybride miniaturisé par l’utilisation de cette ligne est présenté comme une preuve de concept. Pour aller plus loin, une étude comparable des structures de lignes microrubans couplées à ondes lentes est développée. Le principe du couplage sur substrat structuré est d’abord exposé avec une présentation de ses avantages et inconvénients, puis un modèle est également proposé dans le but de réaliser un coupleur co-directif 0-dB miniaturisé par l’utilisation de ces lignes. De plus, un des parties essentielles de ces travaux concerne l’utilisation de la structure microruban à onde lente pour la miniaturisation de dispositifs passifs non-réciproques : un nouvel isolateur microruban compact avec l’introduction de vias dans le ferrite et une nouvelle conception de circulateur miniaturisé sur le substrat ferrite-diélectrique avec un réseau de vias borgnes. / This work focuses on providing innovate solutions into the realization of high-quality and compact passive devices for designer on RF and millimeter-wave bands. These devices are based on slow-wave microstrip lines on structured substrate, either on PCB with blind vias for RF applications, or on metallic nanowire membrane. The complete works include (i) an analysis of topology, (ii) a development of equivalent model validated by the electromagnetic simulations (HFSSTM) and the measurements, (iii) design charts and (iv) applications on design of novel miniaturized passive devices. These transmission lines give the flexibility for designers and capability to be indifferently placed on structured substrate without any impact on their electrical parameters. A novel miniaturized hybrid coupler using this line is proposed, as a proof of concept. In the other hand, a comparable study on the structure of slow-wave coupled microstrip lines is developed. The principal of coupling on structured substrate is shown for their advantages and drawbacks and then an electrical model is also proposed in order to realize a miniaturized 0-dB forward-wave directional coupler using these lines. Moreover, an essential part of this thesis concerns the utilization of the slow-wave microstrip structure to miniaturize the non-reciprocal passive devices: a novel microstrip isolator with the introduction of vias inside the ferrite and a novel design of the miniaturized circulator on a ferrite-dielectric substrate with blind vias.