Miniturization of microwave devices using lossy networks

这项研究计划的目标是为下一代地面和空间无线通信系统开发一种创新的微波设备。该研究有望导致小型化高性能射频/微波滤波器和多路复用器。它利用器件内已有的耗散，有利于通信系统性能的提高，是该领域的技术突破。这是滤波器设计领域的一个重大转变，它使工程师能够使用非常低成本和小体积的谐振器设计出非常高质量的RF/微波滤波器和多路复用器。该方法将对通信系统的低功率部分产生重要影响。在这个项目中，我们还建议将射频/微波滤波器和多路复用器组件嵌入到一个小芯片中，以及已经存在的LNA组件。通过使用先进的有损滤波器合成技术，结合利用射频/微波晶体管的微型放大器，这成为可能。结果将是一个集成电路芯片，包括LNA和滤波器，在尺寸、质量和成本上都有巨大的节省。拟议研究的下一部分涉及可调谐设备。在单个小芯片上制造该设备后，它很容易成为电子可调谐射频/微波滤波器和多路复用器的优秀候选者，这已经引起了业界的极大兴趣。我们还建议使用微机电系统（MEMS）技术为这些器件提供进一步的质量和可调性。MEMS技术已经显示出其在可调谐射频/微波元件方面的潜力，但仍受到低q电子元件的影响。我们在设计损耗滤波器/多路复用器时提出的技术可以有意克服这些问题，同时利用MEMS的电子可调谐性。这个项目肯定会促进大学和企业之间更多的学术和产业合作。

The objective of this research program is to develop an innovative class of microwave devices for next generation ground and space based wireless communication systems. The research is expected to result in miniaturized high performance RF/Microwave filters and multiplexers.It will truly be a technological breakthrough in the field in the fact that it utilizes the existing dissipation in the device to act favorably toward communication system performance enhancement. This is a major paradigm shift in the field of filter design, which enables the engineer to design very high quality RF/Microwave filters and multiplexers using very low cost and low volume resonators. The proposed method will have a significant impact in the low power section of the communication system. In this project, we also propose to embed the RF/Microwave filter and multiplexer assembly in a small chip, together with the already existing LNA assembly. This becomes possible by using advanced lossy filter synthesis techniques, combined with tiny amplifiers exploiting RF/Microwave transistors. The outcome will be one integrated circuit chip including both LNA and filters, with tremendous savings in size, mass and cost. The next part of the proposed research deals with tunable devices. Having manufactured the device on a single small chip, it then readily becomes an excellent candidate for electronically tunable RF/Microwave filters and multiplexers, which are already of a great interest to the industry. We also propose the use of Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology to provide further quality and tunability to these devices. MEMS technology has already shown its potential for tunable RF/Microwave components but suffers from low-Q electrical components. Our proposed techniques in the design of lossy filters/multiplexers can deliberately overcome these issues, while taking advantage of the electronic tunability of MEMS. This program will definitely promote more academic and industrial collaborations between university and industry.