BST Based Linearizers and Matching Circuits for High Efficiency RF Power Amplifiers

射频功率放大器是射频通信中的关键部件之一。它是成本、功耗、可靠性和系统性能的决定因素。由于功率放大器是通信系统中最耗电的元件，因此在过去几年中，高效率功率放大器的设计引起了相当大的关注。对高效率的要求源于可用直流电源的限制，以及系统的尺寸、重量和成本要求。这些要求对于移动的和空间载通信应用甚至更为严格。针对上述技术需求，本项目提出了一种新的方法来设计高效、线性和紧凑的射频功率放大器架构，其主要目标是将钛酸锶钡（BST）铁电薄膜应用于功率放大器电路中，以提高线性度和效率。这种方法将允许通过引入铁电组件以产生紧凑的、通用的和可再现的设计而在更好地匹配和控制电路特性方面的显著益处。 具体来说，PI将设计集成BST变容二极管为基础的预失真线性化和可调匹配网络，以提高放大器的整体性能和functionals.Intellectual Merit的建议ResearchThe建议的研究预计将有显着影响的低成本，高能效和紧凑的发射机的设计，在RF，微波和毫米波频率的电子通信。卫星提供的服务和应用也将受益于这些发展，由于可用的直流电源的限制。拟议的研究的更广泛的影响RF工程和材料科学的专业知识的组合，这里需要将提供快速的洞察力和学习到无线应用的可调谐高频电子产品的发展，其中有强大的商业价值的许多应用。研究的传播将基于期刊出版物，会议/研讨会介绍，并通过与ATMI的合作。辐射实验室在UofM提供双周研讨会上目前的研究，以及研究生和本科生参加。

0300421MortazawiThe RF power amplifier is one of the key components in radio frequency communications. It is the determining factor in cost, power consumption, reliability and system performance. Since the power amplifier is the most power consuming element in a communication system, the design of high efficiency power amplifiers has drawn considerable attention in the past several years. The requirement for high efficiency originates from the limitations imposed by the available dc power, as well as the size, weight and cost requirements for the system. These requirements are even more severe for mobile and space borne communication applications. In response to the above technology needs, this program proposes to develop novel approaches for the design of efficient, linear and compact RF power amplifier architectures.The key objective of the proposed research is to incorporate thin film barium strontium titanate (BST) ferroelectrics into power amplifier circuits for improved linearity and efficiency. This approach would allow significant benefits in terms of better matching and control of the circuit properties through the introduction of the ferroelectric components to yield compact, versatile and reproducible designs. Specifically the PI will design RF power amplifiers integrated with BST varactor based predistortion linearizers and tunable matching networks to improve the amplifier's overall performance and functionality.Intellectual Merit of the Proposed ResearchThe proposed research is expected to have a significant impact on the design of low cost, power efficient and compact transmitters for electronic communications at RF, microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies. Services and applications provided by satellites will also benefit from these developments due to the limitations on available dc power.Broader Impact of the Proposed ResearchThe combination of RF Engineering and Materials Science expertise required here will provide rapid insight and learning into the development of tunable high frequency electronics for wireless applications, where there are numerous applications of strong commercial value. The dissemination of research will be based on journal publications, conference/workshop presentations and through their collaboration with ATMI. The Radiation Laboratory at UofM offers biweekly seminars on current research that are well attended by both graduate as well as undergraduates.