We propose a definition of the efficiency bandwidth for a power amplifier (PA) using a modulated signal as the signal bandwidth at which the amplifier efficiency has dropped to a level of 90% of the maximum efficiency at small bandwidth. We introduce a Monte Carlo method to calculate the efficiency bandwidth for some popular PA architectures. The method assumes a given modulated signal at the load. From this load signal the wave forms at the drains of the transistors are derived and the energy dissipation in the transistors can be calculated. Using idealized transistors with no output capacitance the maximum realizable efficiency bandwidth of an asymmetrical Doherty amplifier is 60%, which is much larger than that of an outphasing amplifier, which is 14%. More realistic transistors that include output capacitances, need a matching circuit with a high Q-value which decreases the efficiency bandwidth. Using output capacitance values typical for LDMOS transistors, the asymmetrical Doherty amplifier shows an efficiency bandwidth of about 400 MHz for a signal centered at 1 GHz. For a signal at 2 GHz the efficiency bandwidth is found to be 520 MHz. Due to the fixed values of the output capacitances the efficiency bandwidth does not scale with frequency.

Laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor (LDMOS) transistors with 10 V breakdown voltage have been implemented in a 65 nm Complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process without extra masks or process steps. Radio frequency (RF) performance for Wireless local area network (WLAN) frequencies and in X-band at 8 GHz is investigated by load-pull measurements in class AB operation for both 3.3 and 5 V supply voltage. Results at 2.45 GHz showed 290 mW/mm output power density with 17 dB linear gain and over 45% power added efficiency (PAE) at 4 dB compression at a supply voltage of 5 V. Furthermore, results in X-band at 8 GHz show 8 dB linear gain, 320 mW/mm output power density and over 22% PAE at 4 dB compression. Third-order intermodulation measurements at 8 GHz revealed OIP3 of 18.9 and 21.9 dBm at 3.3 and 5 V, respectively. The transistors were also tested for reliability which showed no drift in quiescent current after 26 h of DC stress while high-power RF stress showed only small extrapolated drift at 10 years in output power density. This is to the authors' knowledge the first time high output power density in X-band is demonstrated for integrated LDMOS transistors manufactured in a 65 nm CMOS process without extra process steps.

In this paper, a 1.8–2.6 GHz wideband rectenna is designed for radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting in the context of wireless sensor nodes (WSN). To assess the feasibility of ambient RF energy harvesting, the power density from RF base stations is analyzed through statistical measurements. Power density measurements are also performed close to Wi-Fi routers. Using these results, a methodology based on impedance matching network adaptation and maximum power transfer is proposed to design the wideband RF harvester. Using this method, three RF bands, i.e. GSM1800, UMTS and WLAN, are covered. The theoretical analysis is confirmed by simulations and measurements. From measurements results, the prototype RF-to-DC conversion efficiency is 15% at −20 dBm from 1.8 to 2.6 GHz. It is shown that with three RF sources in the chosen bands, each emitting at 10 dBm, the RF-to-DC conversion efficiency is 15% better compared to that measured with a single RF source. Finally, 7 µW is harvested at 50 m from a GSM1800 and UMTS base station. This value confirms the RF harvester workability to supply small sensors.

This paper proposes a technique to design wide band switched-line (SL) true-time-delay (TTD) networks, commonly used for phased array antenna (PAA) applications. This study investigates the constant-delay behavior of switched-line phase shifters based on single-pole double-throw (SPDT) switches. Circuit sizing starts by considering the effective S-parameters of the switches, to use their non-idealities as an integral part of the phase shift linearly dependent to the frequency and by considering, from the beginning, the possible spatial positioning of elements that allows the circuit feasibility as a design target. The aim of this study is to provide a technique suitable for the design of well-matched TTD networks with a flat delay in wide bandwidth. In this paper, we propose new design formulas for which we show a single-frequency implementation. A computational strategy is used to obtain numerical solutions of the derived equations with this study. Finally, a monolithic X-band TTD circuit example is shown.

A broadband six-way out-of-phase substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) power divider was designed, analyzed, and fabricated for low loss and out of phase dividing applications. The SIW technology was used to realize the power divider; where it consists of a central dual-disc probe connected with coaxial outer-conductor impedance matching transformer and six SIW-to-microstrip transitions as output probes. Three of the SIW-to-microstrip transitions are located at the top plane, whereas the other three are at the bottom plane of the power divider to achieve the out-of-phase dividing functioning. These transitions are all the same in size and shape for symmetry reason. Good transmissions from coaxial input port to six-way SIW power divider were also achieved. There is a reasonable agreement between measured and simulated results.

In this paper, a new asymmetric structure is proposed for the dual-band unequal application, in which both open- and short-ended stubs are applied. Closed-form design equations are obtained for the proposed power divider using the modified even- and odd-mode analysis method. It is observed that the proposed power divider can operate at high frequency ratio from 2.3 to 3.7 and has a wide operating band. Besides, this proposed circuit can offer flexibility in fabrication. For verification, two power dividers operate at 1/2.5 GHz with different values of line impedance are fabricated and tested. There is good agreement between simulation and experimental results, validating the proposed design concepts.

A robust and tuneless micromachined waveguide diplexer operating in the frequency range 71–86 GHz is here presented. The diplexer is based on multiple coupled cavities and it is manufactured using micromachining technology on two staked silicon layers. The diplexer consists of two filters combined to a common waveguide port via an E-plane T-junction. The two eight-order band-pass filters are centered at 73.5 and 83.5 GHz. The fractional bandwidths for two bands are 8.8 and 7.8% at higher- and lower-band, respectively. The measured insertion loss is below 0.7 dB for both the filters and the diplexer isolation is better than 55 dB, as required. The proposed technology allows for a very compact device (<20 × 20 × 1.5 mm) and the first prototypes were proved to be very robust to manufacturing tolerances and environmental tests, thus leading to an excellent tuneless manufacturing yield in future production. The diplexer will be employed in next generation terrestrial radio-link communications front-ends.

In this paper, a novel wideband right-angle transition between thin substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) and rectangular waveguide (RWG) based on multi-section structure operating at center frequency 31.5 GHz is presented. A multi-section SIW with a rectangular aperture etched on the broad wall and two stepped ridges embedded in the RWG flange are introduced to obtain a wide impedance matching. The simulations show that the bandwidth with return loss better than 20 dB is about 17 GHz. In order to verify our designs, two back-to-back transitions with different lengths are fabricated and measured. The experimental results agree well with simulations. The proposed component shows an insertion loss less than 0.44 dB and a return loss better than 14.5 dB over 12.15 GH, which corresponds to 38.57% bandwidth.

This paper introduces a new technique for the efficient computation of intermodulation distortion in radio frequency circuits that contain microelectromechanical system (MEMS) variable capacitors using moments analysis. This method is applied to an extended harmonic balance formulation, which contains the nonlinear equations that describe the dynamic mechanical behavior of MEMS variable capacitors, in addition to the nonlinear electric circuit equations. As a result, the moments method becomes a general multi-domain simulation method for quantifying nonlinear intermodulation distortion, while presenting significant computational cost reduction over harmonic balance-based methods.

We present a tapped tunable delay line filter for radiofrequency (RF) photonic filtering applications, capable of rapid tunability over a wide RF bandwidth limited only by the optical components’ losses, while maintaining independence from polarization state. Multiple fiber taps with contrasting dispersion slopes are used in intensity-modulated direct detection microwave photonic links. A temporal delay is generated between the signals within each arm of the link. Once a signal is received using balanced differential detection, nulls are generated as a function of the laser's operating wavelength. Tuning of the laser allows for a rapid shifting of the nulls in the RF spectrum to dynamically mitigate co-site interference. Through this method we demonstrate the potential for rapid tunability over the RF spectrum by the variation of the operating wavelength of the optical carrier.

Detecting time-varying target in non-stationary background is difficult and attractive problem. Time-varying movement exists widely in radar and communication systems. The non-linear processing with higher moments is discussed in the situation. Firstly the signal model of time-varying target with fix acceleration is analyzed. Then the radar echoes from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) are processed with higher moments. It not only restrains Gaussian noise automatically, but also suppresses non-stationary noise. Time-varying targets are different from the non-stationary background clutters. Moreover, the influences of the shadows about time-varying targets are reduced in the algorithm of higher moments. The proposal mentioned above utilizes higher moments to avoid analyzing the complex electromagnetic wave propagation and scatter theory. The differences of detection probability are compared between the chip with time-varying target and the clutter chip. The performances among different number order moments are compared by processing lots of actual SAR data added non-stationary noise. Lastly, the suitable number order moments are suggested by comparing the results from processing the actual radar echoes.

We propose a compact, high-efficiency antenna configuration, which is 18 cm in diameter and has average gain of 24.1 dBi for automotive applications of satellite TV systems operating at Ku band. To achieve high aperture efficiency, hybrid microstrip, and waveguide feed network with low-loss microstrip-to-waveguide transition is designed and validated. The array antenna is wideband and covers entire downlink Ku-band frequencies (10.8–12.75 GHz) for simultaneous reception from multiple transponders. Vertical polarization panel is built and tested for reception quality. Carrier-to-noise ratio of 6.2 dB was observed the target transponder (42°E) at 11.9 GHz using intermediate frequency loop-out of the receiver. The antenna can be used on small vehicles or automobiles for satellite TV reception.

An engineered novel tunable dual-band metamaterial antenna based on stacked split ring resonator (SRR) array is presented. The μ-negative SRR array present at two sublayers of stacked microstrip patch antenna substrate adds tuning capability to the antenna with marginal trade-off between antenna gain and cross-polarization. If the size of resonator element is considerably smaller than resonance wavelength, ideally lesser than λ/10, the resonator would support the resonating mode of antenna. Compact SRR array embedded in radiator facilitate the antenna tuning to intended allocated spectrum of L5- and S-band frequencies without modifying external dimensions of patch antenna, which in turn helps the satellite payload design. The variations in SRR array dimensions and inter-element spacing are subsequently utilized to maintain the antenna gain and voltage-standing wave ratio. The proposed design of inset fed antenna, matched at 50 Ω, was validated by experimental results and it is suitable for global positioning satellite applications.

This paper presents a simple broadband planar monopole microstrip patch antenna with curved slot and partial ground plane. The proposed antenna is designed and fabricated on commercially available FR4 material with εr = 4.3 and 0.025 loss tangent. Bandwidth enhancement has been achieved by introducing a curved slot in the patch and optimizing the gap between the patch and the partial ground plane and the gap between the curved slot and the edge of the patch. Simulated peak gain of the proposed antenna is 4.8 dB. The impedance bandwidth (defined by 10 dB return loss) of the proposed antenna is 109% (2–6.8 GHz), which shows bandwidth enhancement of 26% as compared with simple monopole antenna. The antenna is useful for 2.4/5.2/5.8-GHz WLAN bands, 2.5/3.5/5.5-GHz WiMAX bands, and other wireless communication services. Measured results show good agreement with the simulated results. The proposed antenna details are described and measured/simulated results are elaborated.

A circularly polarized (CP) broadband antenna is proposed for wireless applications in the range of 2–3 GHz frequency. It consists of asymmetrical Koch fractal boundary patch over a reactive impedance surface (RIS) substrate. The simulations of single-layer Koch fractal antenna, dual layer with square and fractal RIS elements are carried out in a systematic way for broadband CP radiation and corresponding results are presented. For better CP characteristics, properties of fractal curves and dimensions of RIS elements are optimized. The antenna with fractal RIS iteration order one (iteration1) is experimentally studied. The 10-dB return loss bandwidth is 50.35%, whereas 3-dB axial ratio bandwidth is 7.45%, which indicate that by applying fractals concept to RIS technique, with a single probe feed, broadband CP radiation can be obtained.

This paper presents a simple approach for accurate determination of the resonant frequency of an elliptical microstrip patch printed on isotropic or anisotropic substrate materials. In this approach, some modifications are made to account for fringe fields, dispersion effects, and losses by calculating effective dimensions, effective permittivity of anisotropy in the layer, and effective loss tangent, respectively. The theoretical resonant frequency results are in very good agreement with the experimental results reported elsewhere. Numerical results show that the change in the resonant frequency of the antenna is due primarily to a small disturbance of the substrate's nature. Then the effect of the uniaxial anisotropic materials is a significant parameter and most essential on the microstrip antenna characterization.

A compact CPW-fed printed monopole slot antenna is presented for ultra-wideband (UWB) applications. The antenna comprises of a dome-shaped radiating element in which embedded is an open-loop inverted triangular-shaped slot (TSS). The antenna is fed through a coplanar waveguide to provide an ultra-wide impedance bandwidth of 8.95 GHz (2.58–11.53 GHz) which corresponds to a bandwidth ratio of 1:4.46 for VSWR <2. The antenna possesses a notch band functionality to filter out interfering C-band signals like wireless local-area network (WLAN). The notch band frequency is determined by physical parameters defining the TSS that allows fine control of the notch's location. The proposed antenna also possesses a flat gain response expect at the notched band and occupies a relatively small volume of 25 × 25 × 0.8 mm3 for ease of system integration.

Fractal geometries are attractive for antenna designers seeking antennas with compact size and multiband resonant behavior. This paper presents the design of a new microstrip-fed printed slot antenna for use in dual-band wireless applications. The slot structure of the proposed antenna is in the form of Cantor square fractal geometry of the second iteration. The slot structure has been etched on the ground plane of a substrate with relative permittivity of 4.4 and 1.6 mm in thickness. A parametric study is conducted to explore the effects of some geometrical parameters on the antenna performance. Results show that the antenna possesses a dual-band behavior with a wide range of resonant frequency ratio. In addition to the ease of fabrication and simple design procedure, the antenna offers desirable radiation characteristics. A prototype of the proposed antenna has been simulated, fabricated, and measured. The measured 10 dB return loss bandwidths for the lower and the upper resonant bands are 42% (2.35–3.61 GHz) and 20% (5.15–6.25 GHz), respectively. This makes the proposed antenna suitable to cover a number of operating bands of wireless systems (2.4 GHz-Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz ISM, 2.4/5.8 GHz-WLAN, 3.5 GHz-WiMAX, and 5.8 GHz-ITS).

The narrow bandwidth of microstrip antennas is one of the most important features that restrict its wide usage. This paper presents a new coplanar waveguide-fed compact rectangular microstrip antenna with the improvement of the bandwidth using the slot geometry and cutting rectangular periodic edges for the patch radiator. To develop this structure, we have conducted many optimization and investigation using Momentum Software integrated into ADS “Advanced Design System” and comparison of the results with CST Microwave Studio. The comparison between the simulation and measurement results permits to validate the final achieved antenna with an improvement of the bandwidth. This antenna has wide matching input impedance ranging from 1.7 to 3.5 GHz with a return loss less than −10 dB, corresponding to bandwidth 69.7% at 2.6 GHz as a frequency center. The antenna achieved is a low cost, planar, and easy to be fabricated, thus promising for multiple applications in wireless communication systems. Details of the proposed antenna design and both simulated and experimental results are described and discussed.

In this paper a novel compact multi-band printed coplanar waveguide (CPW)-feed antenna for wireless local area network (WLAN)/WiMAX/RFID applications is proposed. The proposed antenna is composed of a multi-triangular structure as metal ground plane and the radiation element with four different branches, both of the structures are printed on the same side of a substrate and the antenna is fed by a CPW. By carefully tuning the locations and the sizes of these four branches, the antenna can yield three different resonating frequencies to cover the desired bands for WLAN/WiMAX/RFID applications. The simulated and measured results demonstrate that the proposed antenna has the impedance bandwidth (for return loss less than −10 dB) of 700 MHz (2.2−2.9 GHz), 540 MHz (3.16–3.7 GHz), and 850 MHz (5.05–5.9 GHz), respectively, which can cover the WLAN 2.4/5.8 GHz bands, the WiMAX 2.5/3.5 GHz bands, and the RFID 2.45/5.8 GHz bands.