Miniturization of microwave devices using lossy networks

这项研究计划的目标是为下一代地面和天基无线通信系统开发一种创新的微波设备。这项研究有望实现小型化的高性能射频/微波滤波器和多路复用器，它将真正实现该领域的技术突破，因为它利用了器件中现有的损耗，有利于通信系统性能的提高。这是滤波器设计领域的重大范式转变，使工程师能够使用非常低成本和低体积的谐振器设计非常高质量的RF/微波滤波器和复用器。该方法将对通信系统的低功率部分产生重大影响。在这个项目中，我们还建议将射频/微波滤波器和复用器组件嵌入到一个小芯片中，以及现有的低噪声放大器组件。这是通过使用先进的有损滤波器合成技术，结合使用射频/微波晶体管的微型放大器来实现的。其结果将是一个同时包括低噪声放大器和滤波器的集成电路芯片，在尺寸、质量和成本方面都将大大节省。这项拟议研究的下一部分涉及可调谐设备。由于在单个小芯片上制造了该设备，因此它很容易成为电子可调RF/微波滤波器和多路复用器的极佳候选产品，这些产品已经引起了业界的极大兴趣。我们还建议使用微电子机械系统(MEMS)技术来为这些器件提供更高的质量和可调性。MEMS技术已经显示出其在可调谐RF/微波组件方面的潜力，但受到低Q电子组件的影响。我们在有损滤波器/多路复用器设计中提出的技术可以有意地克服这些问题，同时利用MEMS的电子可调谐特性。这一计划必将促进更多的大学和产业之间的学术和产业合作。

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.