Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis presents the study, analysis and design of electronically tunable filters, that can be tuned over a wide frequency range (20-500MHz), for use in a direct sampling receiver. The final design does not have to be a single filter, but may be comprised of a filter bank which enables switching between the filters. The band of interest is too low to use normal transmission lines and lumped elements have to be used. Different topologies that can implement Coupled Resonator filters with lumped elements are investigated. Devices that can be used for tuning are also investigated and varactor diodes are found to be the most suitable tuning devices currently available. Two filters, one at the high-end and one at the low-end of the band, were designed and built, both using varactor diodes. These filters perform well in terms of tuning range, but achieving low losses with current technologies in this band remains difficult. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis meld die studie, analise en ontwerp van elektronies verstelbare filters, wat verstelbaar is oor ’n wye band (20-500MHz), vir gebruik in ’n direk-monster-ontvanger. Die finale ontwerp hoef nie ’n enkele filter te wees nie, maar kan bestaan uit ’n filterbank wat skakeling tussen die filters toelaat. Die betrokke band is te laag vir die gebruik van normale transmissielyne en diskrete komponente moet gebruik word. Verskillende topologieë wat gekoppelde resoneerder filters implementeer met diskrete komponente is ondersoek. Verstelbare komponente word ook ondersoek en varaktor diodes blyk die mees geskikte verstelbare komponent wat huidig beskikbaar is in hierdie band. Twee filters, een aan die hoë kant en een aan die lae kant van die band, is ontwerp en gebou, beide met varaktor diodes. Hierdie filters het wye verstelbare bereik, maar dit is steeds moeilik om verliese te beperk met die huidige tegnologie.

Adaptive microwave systems can benefit from the use of low loss tunable microwave filters. Realizing these tunable filters that show low loss characteristics can be very challenging. The proper materials, tuning elements, and filter designs need to be considered when creating a low loss tunable filter. The integration of low loss microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and superconducting circuits is one method of achieving these types of tunable filters. The thesis introduces new multi-layer low temperature superconducting (LTS) filters and diplexers and novel topologies for tunable filters and switched multiplexers. An efficient method of designing such filters is proposed. A fabrication process to monolithically integrate MEMS devices with high temperature superconducting (HTS) circuits is also investigated in this thesis. The reflected group delay method, usually used for filter tuning, is further developed for use in designing microwave filters. It is advantageous in the design of filters to have electromagnetic simulation results that will correlate well to the fabricated microwave filters. A correction factor is presented for use with the reflected group delay method so the group delay needs to be matched to the appropriate value at the center frequency of the filter and be symmetric about the center frequency of the filter. As demonstrated with an ideal lumped element filter, the group delay method can be implemented when a closed form expression for the circuit is not known. An 8-pole HTS filter design and an 8-pole multi-layer LTS filter design demonstrate the use of the reflected group delay method. Low temperature superconducting filters, couplers and diplexers are designed and fabricated using a multilayer niobium fabrication process traditionally used for superconducting digital microelectronics. The feasibility of realizing highly miniaturized microwave niobium devices allows for the integration of superconducting digital microelectronics circuits and analog microwave devices on a single chip. Microwave devices such as bandpass filters, lowpass filters, bandstop filters, quadrature hybrids, and resistive loads are all demonstrated experimentally. New tunable filter designs are presented that can make use of MEMS switches. A manifold-coupled switched multiplexer that allows for 2^N possible states is presented. The tunable multiplexer has N filters connected to two manifolds and has embedded switches, which detune certain resonators within the filters to switch between ON and OFF states for each channel. The new concept is demonstrated with a diplexer design and two 3-pole coplanar filters. The concept is further developed through test results of a fabricated HTS triplexer and electromagnetic simulations to demonstrate a superconducting manifold-coupled switched triplexer. Another filter design is presented that makes use of switches placed only on the resonators of the filters. This filter design has N possible states and the absolute bandwidth can be kept constant for all N states. Finally, the integration of HTS circuits and MEMS devices is investigated to realize low loss tunable microwave filters. The hybrid integration is first performed through the integration of an HTS microstrip filter and commercially available RF MEMS switches. A fabrication process to monolithically integrate MEMS devices and high temperature superconducting circuits is then investigated. The fabrication process includes a titanium tungsten layer, which acts as both a resistive layer and an adhesion for the dielectric layer, an amorphous silicon dielectric layer, a photoresist sacrificial layer, and the top gold layer. The fabrication process is built up on a wafer with a thin film of a high temperature superconducting material covered with a thin film of gold. Several processes are tested to ensure that the superconducting properties of the thin film are not affected during the MEMS fabrication process.

Adaptive microwave systems can benefit from the use of low loss tunable microwave filters. Realizing these tunable filters that show low loss characteristics can be very challenging. The proper materials, tuning elements, and filter designs need to be considered when creating a low loss tunable filter. The integration of low loss microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and superconducting circuits is one method of achieving these types of tunable filters. The thesis introduces new multi-layer low temperature superconducting (LTS) filters and diplexers and novel topologies for tunable filters and switched multiplexers. An efficient method of designing such filters is proposed. A fabrication process to monolithically integrate MEMS devices with high temperature superconducting (HTS) circuits is also investigated in this thesis. The reflected group delay method, usually used for filter tuning, is further developed for use in designing microwave filters. It is advantageous in the design of filters to have electromagnetic simulation results that will correlate well to the fabricated microwave filters. A correction factor is presented for use with the reflected group delay method so the group delay needs to be matched to the appropriate value at the center frequency of the filter and be symmetric about the center frequency of the filter. As demonstrated with an ideal lumped element filter, the group delay method can be implemented when a closed form expression for the circuit is not known. An 8-pole HTS filter design and an 8-pole multi-layer LTS filter design demonstrate the use of the reflected group delay method. Low temperature superconducting filters, couplers and diplexers are designed and fabricated using a multilayer niobium fabrication process traditionally used for superconducting digital microelectronics. The feasibility of realizing highly miniaturized microwave niobium devices allows for the integration of superconducting digital microelectronics circuits and analog microwave devices on a single chip. Microwave devices such as bandpass filters, lowpass filters, bandstop filters, quadrature hybrids, and resistive loads are all demonstrated experimentally. New tunable filter designs are presented that can make use of MEMS switches. A manifold-coupled switched multiplexer that allows for 2^N possible states is presented. The tunable multiplexer has N filters connected to two manifolds and has embedded switches, which detune certain resonators within the filters to switch between ON and OFF states for each channel. The new concept is demonstrated with a diplexer design and two 3-pole coplanar filters. The concept is further developed through test results of a fabricated HTS triplexer and electromagnetic simulations to demonstrate a superconducting manifold-coupled switched triplexer. Another filter design is presented that makes use of switches placed only on the resonators of the filters. This filter design has N possible states and the absolute bandwidth can be kept constant for all N states. Finally, the integration of HTS circuits and MEMS devices is investigated to realize low loss tunable microwave filters. The hybrid integration is first performed through the integration of an HTS microstrip filter and commercially available RF MEMS switches. A fabrication process to monolithically integrate MEMS devices and high temperature superconducting circuits is then investigated. The fabrication process includes a titanium tungsten layer, which acts as both a resistive layer and an adhesion for the dielectric layer, an amorphous silicon dielectric layer, a photoresist sacrificial layer, and the top gold layer. The fabrication process is built up on a wafer with a thin film of a high temperature superconducting material covered with a thin film of gold. Several processes are tested to ensure that the superconducting properties of the thin film are not affected during the MEMS fabrication process.

L'objectif de la thèse était la conception et la synthèse de filtres RF passe-bande reconfigurables, basés sur des résonateurs de type “Patch”. Une méthode de conception dédiée à la synthèse des filtres reconfigurables a été développée et appliquée à deux filtres reconfigurables basés sur des « patchs » triangulaire et circulaire. La technique de synthèse repose sur l'analyse de la matrice de couplage, facilitée par une analyse électromagnétique des modes propres des résonateurs « Patch ». Les filtres reconfigurables ont été conçus et optimisés à l'aide de simulations électromagnétiques 3D en incluant le modèle électrique des composants localisés utilisés, diodes varactors et capacités fixes. Les deux filtres reconfigurables ont été réalisés en technologie circuit imprimé. Les dimensions minimum du « layout » ont été choisies afin d'être compatibles avec une technologie bas coût, la dimension la plus faible n'étant pas inférieure à 0,5 mm. / The objective of this thesis is the design and synthesis of tunable bandpass filters at microwave frequencies using planar patch resonators. A methodology for the design and synthesis of tunable patch filters is developed and applied to two filters with triangular and circular topologies. The methodology provides techniques to extract the coupling scheme that models the filter behavior and the necessary equations for calculating the corresponding coupling matrix. Then, the theoretical filter response resulting from the analysis of the coupling matrix coefficients is compared to the results of complete simulations. The complete simulations combine the results of the 3D electromagnetic (EM) simulation of the filter layout with the results of the electrical simulation of the tuning devices, represented by their lumped elements equivalent model. This allows the correct model of the tuning effect and the definition of the tuning possibilities and limits. In order to validate the methodology, the tunable patch filters are fabricated using Microwave Integrated Circuit (MIC) technology on flexible substrates. The minimum dimensions are greater than 0.5 mm, ensuring a low cost fabrication process.

Yes / The paper presents the general requirements and an exemplary design of the RF front-end system that in today's handset is a key consumer of power. The design is required to minimize the carbon footprint in mobile handsets devices, whilst facilitating cooperation, and providing the energy-efficient operation of multi-standards for 5G communications. It provides the basis of hardware solutions for RF front-end integration challenges and offers design features covering energy efficiency for power amplifiers (PAs), Internet of Things (IoT) controlled tunable filters and compact highly isolated multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) antennas. An optimum design requires synergetic collaboration between academic institutions and industry in order to satisfy the key requirements of sub-6 GHz energy-efficient 5G transceivers, incorporating energy efficiency, good linearity and the potential for low-cost manufacturing. A highly integrated RF transceiver was designed and implemented to transmit and receive a picture using compact MIMO antennas integrated with efficient tunable filters and high linearity PAs. The proposed system has achieved a bit error rate (BER) of less than 10-10 at a data rate of 600 Mb/s with a wireless communication distance of more than 1 meter and power dissipation of 18-20 mW using hybrid beamforming technology and 64-QAM modulation. / 10.13039/100010665-H2020 Marie Skodowska Curie

Wireless and mobile communications are already playing an important role in our lives, and this will can only grow more and more due to the predominant importance and use of modern smartphones, tablets and any kind of connected devices. With this is mind, the spectrum for wireless and mobile communications is becoming incredibly overcrowded, leading to increasing requirements for RF front-end filters. This progress has encouraged an impressive need for developing low-cost, high performance, mass-producible, small footprint, and highly integrated front-end solutions for microwave and millimeter-wave systems and applications including emerging 5G and future wireless platforms. In this context, high quality factor resonators are usually typical basic building blocks of many high performance passive and active circuits, and its design has become even more challenging in the last decade. As a result, Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) technology has attracted scientific community and industry attention as a very good candidate for developing such desired high-Q planar microwave devices. Recently, SIW is demonstrating to be a successful approach for implementing microwave and mm-wave filters with high Q-factor, easy integration with other planar circuits, and for mass-production manufacturing processes in many technologies (i.e. Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics (LTCC) technologies among them). Its enormous similarity with waveguides is probably one of the main reasons why the development of SIW-based components and circuits is rapidly growing among the research community. Other potential features that, combined with the former advantages, could be of huge interest in a wide range of wireless and mobile applications are a lively set of research subjects, such as compactness, advanced filtering responses, and recently frequency-agility capabilities. These key features have been recently introduced in the design of microwave filters for the next-generation wireless systems. Taking into account the above-mentioned background, the work carried out during the course of this PhD Thesis has been directed towards a further study of SIW technology to propose, analyze and develop an innovative and original resonator topology. The proposed topology is based on the extension of the classical coaxial waveguide resonator to SIW technology, and must take advantage of the characteristics of SIW devices to allow the design of improved and innovative microwave resonator filters for advanced wireless systems. This PhD Thesis includes the latest improvements made on this topic, from the working principles of the basic coaxial SIW block, until different applications for the design of compact quasi-elliptic and reconfigurable microwave filters. The results are promising and demonstrate the validity of the proposed topology for the design of high-Q microwave filters, as well as its potential application to implement complex designs. The general knowledge gained from these cases of study can be considered a good base for further developing this technology, which can help to improve its EM performance, and also contribute to a more general use in the market. / Las comunicaciones inalámbricas y móviles juegan un papel importante en nuestras vidas, y esto sólo puede ir a más debido a su enorme importancia y al uso de los modernos teléfonos inteligentes (del inglés, smartphones), tabletas y toda clase de dispositivos inalámbricos. Con todo esto en mente, el espectro electromagnético para comunicaciones inalámbricas y móviles se está saturando cada día más, lo que conlleva un constante aumento de los requisitos para los filtros de radio-frecuencia usados en las cabeceras de dichos sistemas. Este progreso ha llevado a un creciente interés en desarrollar componentes de microondas de bajo coste, alto rendimiento, pequeño tamaño, que permitan implementar soluciones altamente integradas para sistemas de alta frecuencia (i.e. microondas y ondas milimétrica) y sus aplicaciones, incluyendo entre ellas la emergente conexión 5G y las futuras plataformas inalámbricas. En este contexto, los resonadores de elevado factor de calidad constituyen generalmente los bloques básicos para el diseño de muchos circuitos pasivos (entre ellos filtros) y activos de alto rendimiento. Su diseño se ha convertido por tanto en un reto aún mayor en la última década. Como resultado de ello, la tecnología de guía de ondas integradas en substrato (Substrate Integrated Waveguide, SIW) ha atraído la atención de la comunidad científica e industrial, al revelarse como una buena aproximación para el desarrollo de dispositivos planares de microondas con excelentes prestaciones eléctricas, y en particular para la implementación de filtros de microondas y onda milimétrica de bajas pérdidas y elevada integración con circuitos en tecnología planar. Además, su flexibilidad se caracteriza también por su adecuación a diferentes procesos de fabricación y producción en masa, en tecnologías tales como los circuitos impresos (Printed Circuit Board, PCB) o la tecnología de materiales cerámicos multi-capa co-sinterizados a baja temperatura (Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics, LTCC) entre otras. Su enorme similitud con las ya largamente estudiadas guías de onda es, probablemente, una de las principales razones por las cuales el desarrollo de dicho circuitos está creciendo rápidamente entre la comunidad de investigadores. Cabe mencionar como, además de las anteriores ventajas, otras características de la tecnología SIW que podrían ser de gran interés en una amplia gama de aplicaciones inalámbricas y móviles son la miniaturización, la posibilidad de implementar respuestas avanzadas de filtrado y, recientemente, las capacidades de sintonía en frecuencia de los componentes de microondas. De este modo, el trabajo desarrollado a lo largo de esta Tesis Doctoral se ha orientado hacia el planteamiento, análisis y desarrollo de una topología de resonador innovadora y original. Dicha topología se basa en una extensión de las cavidades coaxiales en guía de onda metálica a una implementación integrada en substrato inspirada en la tecnología SIW. Esta Tesis Doctoral recapitula los últimos avances que se han producido sobre este tema, empezando desde la descripción de los principios fundamentales de funcionamiento de las estructuras, hasta la demostración de varias aplicaciones concretas útiles para el diseño de filtros de microondas muy compactos, con respuestas filtrantes avanzadas y reconfigurables. Los resultados que se van a mostrar a continuación son prometedores, y demuestran la validez de la topología propuesta. El conocimiento general obtenido de los diferentes prototipos fabricados y caracterizados experimentalmente puede considerarse una buena base para seguir desarrollando esta tecnología, lo que puede ayudar a mejorar su rendimiento electromagnético, así como a contribuir a un uso más extendido de estos dispositivos en el mercado. / Les comunicacions sense fils i mòbils juguen un paper important en les nostres vides, i això només pot anar a més a causa de la gran importància i l'ús dels moderns telèfons intel·ligents (de l'anglès, smartphones), tablets i tota classe de dispositius sense fil. Tenint en compte tot açò, l'espectre electromagnètic per a comunicacions sense fils i mòbils s'està saturant cada dia més, el que comporta un constant augment dels requisits per als filtres de radiofreqüència usats en les capçaleres d'aquests sistemes. Aquest progrés ha portat a un creixent interès en desenvolupar components de microones de baix cost, alt rendiment, volum reduït, que permeten implementar solucions altament integrades per a sistemes d'alta freqüència (ie. microones i ones mil·limètriques) i les seves aplicacions, incloent l'emergent connexió 5G i les futures plataformes sense fils. En aquest context, els ressonadors d'elevat factor de qualitat constitueixen generalment els blocs bàsics per al disseny de molts circuits passius (entre ells filtres) i actius d'alt rendiment. El seu disseny s'ha convertit per tant en un repte encara més gran en l'última dècada. Com a resultat d'això, la tecnologia de guia d'ones integrades en substrat (Substrate Integrated Waveguide, SIW) ha atret l'atenció de la comunitat científica i industrial, al revelar-se com una bona aproximació per al desenvolupament de dispositius planars de microones amb excel·lents prestacions elèctriques , i en particular per a la implementació de filtres de microones i ones mil·limètriques de baixes pèrdues i elevada integració amb circuits en tecnologia planar. A més, la seua flexibilitat es caracteritza també per la seua adequació a diferents processos de fabricació i producció en massa, en tecnologies com ara els circuits impresos (Printed Circuit Board, PCB) o la tecnologia de materials ceràmics multicapa co-sinteritzats a baixa temperatura (Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramics, LTCC) entre d'altres. La seua enorme similitud amb les ja llargament estudiades guies d'ona és, probablement, una de les principals raons per les quals el desenvolupament d'aquests circuits està creixent ràpidament entre la comunitat d'investigadors. Cal destacar com, a més de les anteriors avantatges, altres característiques de la tecnologia SIW que podrien ser de gran interès en una àmplia gamma d'aplicacions sense fils i mòbils són la miniaturització, la possibilitat d'implementar respostes avançades de filtrat i, recentment, les capacitats de sintonia en freqüència dels components de microones. Aquestes característiques clau s'han introduït recentment en el disseny de filtres microones per als sistemes sense fils de pròxima generació, convertint-se en objecte prioritari d'estudi per part de la comunitat científica. D'aquesta manera, el treball desenvolupat al llarg d'aquesta tesi doctoral s'ha orientat cap al plantejament, anàlisi i desenvolupament d'una topologia de ressonador innovadora i original. Aquesta topologia es basa en una extensió de les cavitats coaxials en guia d'ona metàl·lica a una implementació integrada a substrat inspirada en la tecnologia SIW. Aquesta tesi doctoral recapitula els últims avanços que s'han produït sobre aquest tema, començant des de la descripció dels principis fonamentals de funcionament de les estructures, fins a la demostració de diverses aplicacions concretes útils per al disseny de filtres i microones molt compactes, amb respostes de filtrat avançades i reconfigurables. Els resultats que es mostraran a continuació són prometedors, i demostren la validesa de la topologia proposada. El coneixement general obtingut dels diferents prototips fabricats i caracteritzats experimentalment es pot considerar com una bona base per seguir desenvolupant aquesta tecnologia, el que pot ajudar a millorar el seu rendiment electromagnètic, així com a contribuir a un ús més estès d'aquests dispositius en el mer / Sirci, S. (2017). Substrate Integrated Coaxial Filters with Fixed and Tunable Responses [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/78838

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).

La multiplication des besoins des utilisateurs dans le domaine des télécommunications a conduit à une surexploitation du spectre de fréquence. Ceci a engendré la raréfaction des bandes de fréquence conduisant à une nécessité de gestion rationnelle des fréquences. Des contraintes ont été rajoutées aux systèmes d’émission / réception et en particulier sur les filtres pour éviter la saturation des services. Dans cette thèse, les travaux s’orientent surtout vers la conception de résonateurs, de filtres planaires et volumiques (3D) accordables dans le domaine des fréquences millimétriques (>= 30 GHz) en utilisant une nouvelle technique d’accordabilité basée sur des principes microfluidiques. Il s’agit d’une nouvelle approche d’agilité qui consiste à faire circuler de la matière (liquides conducteur, diélectrique ou magnétique) dans un substrat diélectrique par le biais de micro canaux. Le substrat diélectrique utilisé, est une résine SU-8 qui offre une souplesse dans la réalisation des micros canaux et des structures volumiques grâce à son bon facteur de forme (≈ 50%). La circulation de liquides dans le substrat, permet de modifier localement les propriétés électromagnétiques du milieu, ce qui conduit à une modification de la fréquence de résonance du dispositif. / The proliferation of user needs in the field of telecommunications, has led to overexploitation of the frequency spectrum. This led to the scarcity of frequency bands leading to a need for efficient management of frequencies. Constraints were added to the transmitting / receiving systems and in particular on the filters to prevent the saturation of the services. In this thesis, work is mainly oriented towards the design of resonators, planar and volumetric (3D) tunable filters in the field of millimeter wave frequencies (> = 30 GHz) using a new tunable technique which is microfluidic. This is a new approach to agility which consists of circulating the material (conductive, dielectric or magnetic liquids) in a dielectric substrate through micro channels. The dielectric substrate used is a resin SU-8 which provides flexibility in the implementation of microchannels and volumetric structures thanks to its good form factor (≈ 50%). The circulation of fluid in the substrate allows to locally modifying the electromagnetic properties of the medium. This leads to a change in the resonant frequency of the device.

The presented dissertation thesis is focused on the optimization of filtering circuit synthesis. In the five main sections of this work, the author analyzes partial problems related to several areas within the synthesis of modern filtering circuits. The first chapter constitutes an examination of elementary aspects which characterize present-day integrated circuits in voltage feedback operational amplifiers, and this main content is further complemented with a view on possible application of these circuits for the designing of filtering circuits as proposed within subsequent parts of the thesis. In this context, the second chapter contains a description of the design and optimization of digitally controlled universal filters tunable by means of digital potentiometers originally produced for audio technology. These digitally controlled circuits are increasingly utilized as analog preprocessing blocks in digital signal processing systems. The most extensive portion of the dissertation is dedicated to a complex analysis of individual configurations of economical, purposely lossy active function blocks and modern voltage operational amplifiers. This part of the thesis aims at providing a detailed insight into the characteristics of individual configurations of examined circuits; furthermore, in this respect, the author proposes a comparison of various application possibilities relating to these circuits and their wider use in the field of active frequency filters optimization. The described section of the work also includes a definition and examples of application of the designed and realized program, which facilitates significant simplification of purposely lossy ARC filters. In the penultimate part of the dissertation thesis, the design, development, and verification of a suitable synthesis procedure are presented together with the optimization of data and (in particular) power models of EMC filters. Based on the verification of characteristics inherent with the designed models of EMC filters, the suggested measuring procedure related to these filters is described, including the design of a station for measuring elementary parameters of line anti-interference devices up to very high frequencies. In the last section of the thesis, the author discusses the procedure of air ions concentration measurement through an aspiration condenser and analyzes the systematic and random errors as well as the optimization of filtration characteristics of the applied measurement method. This part includes the description of the design and characteristics of the realized fully automated measurement system with an aspiration condenser.