In this paper, a microstrip fed, L-shape slot antenna for dual polarization is proposed. The two arms of the slot generate electric fields of orthogonal polarizations. By properly sectioning the slot and the feed line, ultra wideband (UWB) behavior is obtained. The measured impedance bandwidth (S11< −10 dB) is more than 8.6 GHz (112%) and 8.2 GHz (104%) for Port 1 and Port 2, respectively. The measured isolation is better than 25 dB over most of the band. The aperture field distribution justifies the dual polarized nature. A modified version which implements a band-notch over 5.1–5.85 GHz wireless local area network (WLAN) band is also presented. With a compact, single substrate design, the antenna can be useful in MIMO transmission systems, polarimetric UWB radar, high performance microwave imaging, and other future wireless communications devices.

We present a heterodyne frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar, applicable in short-range applications. Owing to a modulation of the transmit (TX) signal, the intermediate frequency (IF) signal can be shifted away from zero frequency to reduce the influence of dc-offsets and low-frequency disturbances like, e.g. flicker noise existing in components like mixers, amplifiers and analog-to-digital converters. The presented system is based on E-band transceivers realized in SiGe technology, which are fully integrated with antennas in a plastic package. A sinusoidal modulation of the TX signal is realized by a binary phase-shift keying modulator, which is controlled by a Delta–Sigma sequence. The choice of a sinusoidal modulation allows to reuse signal processing blocks which are typically available in FMCW radars. Measurements show that the achievable signal-to-noise ratio is comparable to a homodyne realization since the Delta–Sigma noise can be filtered in the IF stage. Experiments with a bandwidth of 8 GHz demonstrate measurements down to 12 cm with standard deviations of the measured ranges lower than 60 µm. Compared to a homodyne realization the blocking distance could be reduced by approximately 40 mm.

This paper gives an overview of the low-complexity radio frequency microelectromechanical systems (RF MEMS) switch concept and technology of EADS Innovation Works in Germany. Starting in 2003, a capacitive switch concept, which is unique in several aspects, was developed to address specific needs in the aeronautic and space. Thermally grown silicon oxide as dielectric layer, the silicon substrate as actuation electrode, and a conductive zone realized by ion implantation make the EADS RF MEMS switch a very simple, low-cost, and reliable approach. In this document, data on experimental investigations are presented, which demonstrate outstanding performance figures in terms of insertion loss, isolation, frequency range, bandwidth, RF-power handling, and robustness with respect to thermal load. Based on this concept, numerous different circuits in particular single-pole single-throws (SPSTs), single-pole multi-throws (SPMTs), tunable filters, phase shifters, and electronically steerable antennas between 6 and 100 GHz have been designed, fabricated, and characterized.

This paper presents a planar microwave sensor for the noninvasive detection of glucose concentration in diabetic patients. The designed sensor operates from the 3.8 to 6.2 GHz frequency band, which covers the 5.8 GHz Industrial Scientific and Medical (ISM) band. The designed sensor shows a percentage bandwidth of 23.8% with a reflection coefficient (S11) of −50 dB at the resonance frequency of 5.7 GHz. The detection was carried out by varying the relative permittivity of the blood in accordance with the glucose concentration based on the Cole–Cole model. The measured result is calculated in terms of varying resonance frequency with variation in the reflection coefficient |S11| of the designed sensor. The observed frequency shift and corresponding sensitivity of the sensor are found at 1.7 GHz and 0.089 MHz/mg dL−1, respectively. An experimental validation has also been performed, and the frequency shift is analyzed by interacting the human thumb with the sensor. The simulated and experimental results of the designed sensor suggest that it can be useful for detecting glucose concentration noninvasively for diabetic patients.

The goal of this study is to analyze the specific absorption rate (SAR) distribution of the projected 5G frequencies below 6 GHz and at Wi-Fi frequency (2.45 GHz) on a human head, for eyewear device applications. Two separate tri-band printed dipole antennas for this purpose are designed and fabricated at operating frequencies of 2.45/3.8/6 GHz for prototype-1 and at operating frequencies of 2.45/3.6/4.56 GHz for prototype-2. In order to obtain the desired frequencies: first, the prototypes of the proposed antennas are fine-tuned via Computer Simulation Technology Microwave Studio (CST) and then fabricated on the FR4 layer. The reflection coefficient (S11) is tested and the simulation results are confirmed. In order to analyze the effect of wearing a pair of glasses' frame including a tri-band 5G antenna, a frame is designed and produced via 3D printer with polylactic acid material which has high dielectric constant (ɛr = 8.1). The SAR results of the proposed antennas have been examined for the cases where the antenna is embedded in the frame and is used alone. Both cases were analyzed by using the homogeneous specific anthropomorphic mannequin and the heterogeneous visible human head phantoms and the results have been evaluated in terms of SAR10 g values.

The design and first experimental results of Tx and Rx L-band bandpass filters for a high-power satellite diplexer are presented in this paper. Designed in the framework of an ESA ARTES AT project, the filters are based on TM010 mode dielectric resonators. These resonators allow for better results in terms of volume occupation with respect to other dielectric resonators still maintaining high Q-factor values (>2000). Volume saving above 30% is achieved with respect to standard coaxial filters. The filter geometries and materials have been chosen in order to improve the power-handling and to cope with related critical issues for space applications (i.e. avoid any multipactor discharge in the operating RF power range and low-PIM response). Measurements of Tx filter show good correlation with the design in terms of central frequency, BW, and unloaded Q-factor (almost 3000). Measurements of Rx filter show a worse correlation with the design in terms of filter response shape. This is ascribed to size tolerances of one of the filter resonators. Multiple analyses are ongoing to remove this degradation in the final engineering model.

The purpose of this paper is the design of a novel single layer reflectarray antenna in X-band, which can electronically steer the antenna beam and change its polarization. Each antenna element includes a circular patch and rings around it, equipped with two varactor diodes, which are positioned perpendicular together to create a circular polarization. First, using these elements, a circular polarized active electromagnetic band-gap (EBG) reflector is implemented. Then, a special feed is placed in a proper distance with respect to EBG reflector and a circular polarized reflectarray antenna is designed, which has capability of switching electronically between right- and left-handed circular polarizations. An electronic active board is designed and fabricated to provide the biasing voltages, control signals, and indicators. The elements of the reflectarray are designed and arranged in such a way that the varactor diodes can be biased independently. Consequently, a 3D beam is created, which can steer up to ±40o. For evaluating the antenna performance, the radiation patterns and the axial ratio of the antenna are determined at the operational frequency of 11.4 GHz. It is illustrated that, increasing the steering angle in θ direction decreases the directivity and the gain of the reflectarray antenna.

A printed ultra-wideband (UWB) multiple input multiple output antenna with isolation enhancement and pattern diversity is presented, which is based on characteristic modes (CM) for upcoming wireless mobile platforms. The presented antenna is composed of dual UWB antenna elements (AEs) – an antipodal Vivaldi and a circular-shaped monopole positioned on the two opposite edges of the antenna's rectangular-shaped ground surface. The two AEs are capable to stimulate distinct modes in the ground surface and therefore obtaining the required distinct radiation (far-field) patterns and highly isolated AEs without introducing any decoupling structure (DS). The measured results demonstrate that both AEs are UWB with an operating frequency from 2.6 to 11 GHz. The measured isolation is more than 30.1 dB with a maximum value of 55 dB in UWB. The peak realized gain is over 0.83 dBi. The radiation efficiency is greater than 75%. The Envelope Correlation Coefficient is <0.08.

A 52–61 GHz power amplifier (PA) is implemented in 65 nm bulk complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. The proposed PA employs a transformer-based power combiner to sum the output power from two unit PAs. Each unit PA uses transformer-coupled two-stage differential cascode topology. The differential cascode PA is able to increase the output power and ensure stability. The transformer-based passives enable a compact layout with the PA core area of only 0.3 mm2. The PA achieves a peak power gain of 10.2 dB with 3-dB bandwidth of 9 GHz. The measured saturated output power is 14.8 dBm with a peak power-added efficiency (PAE) of 7.2%. The reverse isolation is smaller than −33 dB from 25 to 65 GHz. The PA consumes a quiescent current of 143 mA from a 1.6 V supply.

Voltage doubler rectifiers are usually applied to systems with high voltage and low current requirement. An X band voltage doubler rectifier has been developed with 72% conversion efficiency. To the best of our knowledge, the obtained rectifying efficiency is the maximum reported to date at X band with Schottky diodes. The working characteristics of the diodes in the voltage doubler rectifier are analyzed in detail. Closed-form equations of diode input impedance and rectifying efficiency are presented and validated using Advanced Design System simulations. The matching network design of the proposed rectifier is based on the closed-form equations. The preliminary rectifying efficiency is predicted by the closed-form equations as well. Measured and simulated results are in good agreement.

We introduce a new technique for the design of an output combiner for Doherty power amplifier (DPA) and its effective exploitation for the development of a wideband laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor (LDMOS) DPA. The design is enabled by a two-line impedance inverter for the DPA back-off operation, which is capable of 52% of fractional bandwidth. The technique is validated by the development of a DPA prototype for Ultra high frequency terrestrial digital video broadcast (DVB-T) applications, with optimized peak power and efficiency over 470–806 MHz. The prototype delivers between 40 and 53% of average efficiency across the band, at 49 dBm output power in average across the bandwidth, and supporting DVB-T signals with 8 MHz bandwidth and a peak-to-average power ratio of 10.5 dB. It achieves the target adjacent channel power ratio of −52 dBc at 750 MHz if digital pre-distortion is applied, and provides 47.8 dBm of output power with a drain efficiency of 44.3%.

A miniaturized tri-passband power divider integrating a power divider with two tri-band bandpass filters is presented. The short- and open-stub-loaded resonators are used in this presented power divider to implement the bandpass-filtering response. Then, the presented power divider has not only the power-dividing/combining function, but also the tri-passband filtering response. When the central frequency of the second passband is fixed, the other two passband central frequencies of the tri-band power divider can be flexibly controlled by changing the lengths of the stubs. The even- and odd-mode equivalent circuits of the proposed tri-band power divider are analyzed, and the design equations are derived, which can be used to guide the design of the presented miniaturized tri-passband power divider. The measured results agree well with the simulated ones.

Embedded wafer-level ball grid array (eWLB) is investigated as a low-cost plastic package for automotive radar applications in the 76–81 GHz range. Low transmission losses from chip to package and board are achieved by appropriate circuit and package design. Special measures are taken to effectively remove the heat from the package and to optimize the package process to achieve automotive quality targets. A 77 GHz radar chip set in eWLB package is developed, which can be applied on the system board using standard solder reflow assembly. These radar MMICs provide excellent radio frequency (RF) performance for the next generation automotive radar sensors. The potential for even higher system integration is shown by a radar transceiver with antennas integrated in the eWLB package. These results demonstrate that eWLB technology is an attractive candidate to realize low-cost radar systems and to enable radar safety affordable for everyone in the near future.

This article proposes a bandpass filter with three controllable transmission zeros (TZs) using three inductive-coupled stub-loaded resonators (SLRs). Different from other works, the proposed SLR can create one transmission pole and one TZ. With the TZs above the passband, high stopband rejection level is achieved. Moreover, the K-inverters are realized by short-circuit stubs between two adjacent SLRs. A general synthesis method for this kind of filter is described. For verification, a filter centered at 2.44 GHz with 0.18 GHz bandwidth is designed. The measured results show that the filter has three TZs at 3.1, 3.9, and 5 GHz. With those TZs, the filter's stopband rejection level is greatly improved.

In the present study, an ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna has been proposed using coplanar waveguide (CPW) feed with dual-band-notch characteristics. Slot-loaded radiator and U-shaped CPW resonator are used for band rejection at 3.5 and 5–6 GHz respectively to reduce interference with existing World interoperability for microwave access and wireless local area network systems. With an extended operating band (measured at 10 dB return loss) the antenna operates successfully over the entire UWB range (3.1–10.6 GHz) with a form factor of 30 × 20 × 1.524 mm3 on a commercially low-cost FR-4 substrate. Experimental measurement results are presented in support of the simulated results for the proposed antenna for practical application. The antenna has been successfully fabricated and measured, showing broadband matched impedance and good omnidirectional radiation pattern throughout the operating bandwidth. Measured time-domain analysis for both the orientations, i.e. face-to-face and side-by-side, yields excellent performance in the open environment scenario. With fairly good and consistent monopole such as omnidirectional radiation patterns in H-plane and linear transmission responses, the proposed antenna is well suited to be integrated within portable devices.

A novel design of a compact ultra wideband antenna with triple band-notched characteristics is proposed. Much wider impedance bandwidth (from 2.63 to 13.02 GHz) is obtained by using a star like-shaped radiator and a defected rectangular ground plane and band-notched functions are obtained by attaching L- and I-shaped structure on the ground and a capacitive-loaded loop (CLL) resonator on the patch. The triple band-notch rejection at WiMAX, WLAN, and ITU bands are obtained by attaching I-shape strip, CLL resonator, and flip L-shape, respectively. The parametric study is carried out to study the influence of varying dimensions on the antenna performance. To validate simulation results of the design a prototype is fabricated on the commercially available FR4 material. The measured results reveal that the presented triple band-notch antenna offers a very wide bandwidth of 10.41 GHz (2.63–13.04 GHz) with triple band-notched characteristics at WiMAX (2.94–3.7 GHz), WLAN (5.1–5.9 GHz), and ITU (7.4–8.7 GHz).

A dual-band 10-port multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna array for 5G smartphone is proposed. Each antenna in the MIMO system can work from 3.4 to 3.6 GHz and 5 to 6 GHz with 10 dB (2:1 VSWR) impedance bandwidth. Nevertheless, for a 3:1 VSWR, the antenna operates from 3.3 to 3.8 GHz and 4.67 to 6.24 GHz. The MIMO system is formed by making 10 seven-shaped coupled fed slot antenna elements excited at two different resonant modes and integrated into the system circuit board. By implementing the spatial and polarization diversity techniques, high isolation better than 28 dB between any pair of antenna elements is achieved. The proposed 10-port MIMO antenna array is fabricated and measured. Significant radiation efficiency is obtained, ranging from 65 to 82% for both bands. The antenna gain in the required operating band is substantial, around 3–3.8 dBi. Further, the MIMO parameters such as envelope correlation co-efficient, channel capacity, and total active reflection co-efficient are calculated. The antenna's robustness is estimated by analyzing the user hand effects and specific absorption rate (SAR). The measured results are well agreed with the simulated results.

This paper describes existing and new criteria for comparison and optimization of non-linear power amplifiers such as RF or microwave transmitters. In addition to intermodulation, receiver noise, and losses in the transmission system, the proposed new criteria take into account efficiency or consumed power. This results in the global optimization of a combined signal-to-noise-plus-intermodulation ratio as a function of saturated or nominal power but also consumed or dissipated power. Saturated power is limited by available technology. Consumed power and dissipated power are some of the main constraints in telecommunication satellite payloads, mobile phone handsets, and RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification). Another constraint comes from the limited size of antennas, which limits the system equivalent isotropic radiated power and gain-to-temperature ratio. With the proposed criteria the designer will be able to compare different amplifier technologies and to optimize the design and operating point of each stage of a multistage amplifier or a linearizer for a given amplifier. Interference from same or other systems is also introduced in the optimization through the use of signal-to-noise-plus-IM-plus-interference ratio criteria.

This work introduces a method for plasma state supervision, based on a frequency-modulated continuous wave radar sensor and a suitable signal evaluation enabling a continuous supervision method for the plasma state. Highly precise phase evaluation of the signal allows us to detect and visualize smallest changes in the plasma state. Assuming the plasma to act like a frequency-dependent dielectric material, the propagation of the electromagnetic wave depends on the plasma state and hence, also the measured phase. Broadband measurements are carried out at center frequencies of 80 and 140 GHz in a low-pressure plasma. The radar-based setup can be used for a very flexible application, capable for spatially resolved measurements in the plasma bulk. At the same time, the high measurement rate allows for quasi real-time monitoring, so that transient processes in the plasma are recorded. Due to the simple setup, this approach is most suitable for industrial applications to improve process control. The chosen different frequencies will show a change in the influence of the plasma on the electromagnetic wave demonstrating the advantages of multi-frequency approaches in future applications.

In this paper, a general method for synthesizing dispersive coupling matrix (DCM) of coupled-resonator bandpass filters with the general dispersion is proposed. Compared to the dispersion-less coupling matrix synthesized by classic approaches, the DCM incorporates the identity of the physical realization and provides an accurate description of the filter. Moreover, the DCM can accurately describe the complex resonators and coupling elements with intentional strong dispersion. A DCM consists of two parts: the frequency-invariant part that corresponds to the coupling matrix at the center frequency and the frequency-variant part that reflects the dispersion of the physical realization. By iteratively adjusting the transmission zeros governed by the given filter topology and ignoring the transmission zeros brought by the dispersion, the synthesis method can directly obtain the frequency-invariant part so that the overall DCM leads to an equal-ripple response. To illustrate the general synthesis method, two design examples are presented, which include a filter with unintentional weak dispersion and a filter with intentional strong dispersion. The examples are validated by EM simulation, demonstrating the effectiveness, accuracy, and generality of the proposed synthesis framework. Key words: dispersive coupling matrix, filter synthesis, microwave bandpass filter