Tunable impedance matching network fundamental limits and practical considerations

Allen, Wesley N. Ph.D., Purdue University, December 2014. Tunable Impedance Matching Network Fundamental Limits and Practical Considerations. Major Professor: Dimitrios Peroulis. As wireless devices continue to increase in utility while decreasing in dimension, design of the RF front-end becomes more complex. It is common for a single handheld device to operate on a plethora of frequency bands, utilize multiple antennae, and be subjected to a variety of environments. One complexity in particular which arises from these factors is that of impedance mismatch. Recently, tunable impedance matching networks have begun to be implemented to address this problem. This dissertation presents the first in-depth study on the frequency tuning range of tunable impedance matching networks. Both the fundamental limitations of ideal networks as well as practical considerations for design and implementation are addressed. Specifically, distributed matching networks with a single tuning element are investigated for use with parallel resistor-capacitor and series resistor-inductor loads. Analytical formulas are developed to directly calculate the frequency tuning range TR of ideal topologies. The theoretical limit of TR for these topologies is presented and discussed. Additional formulas are developed which address limitations in transmission line characteristic impedance and varactor range. Equations to predict loss due to varactor quality factor are demonstrated and the ability of parasitics to both increase and decrease TR are shown. Measured results exemplify i) the potential to develop matching networks with a small impact from parasitics, ii) the need for accurate knowledge of parasitics when designing near transition points in optimal parameters, iii) the importance of using a transmission line with the right characteristic

[1]  S. Wong,et al.  Physical modeling of spiral inductors on silicon , 2000 .

[2]  Dave Kelley.  Using Modern Tools to Explain the Use of the Smith Chart , 2010 .

[3]  Yannis Papananos,et al.  Systematic analysis and modeling of integrated inductors and transformers in RF IC design , 2000 .

[4]  Wai-Kai Chen,et al.  Explicit formulas for the synthesis of optimum broad-band impedance-matching networks II , 1977 .

[5]  J.H. Sinsky,et al.  Design of an electronically tunable microwave impedance transformer , 1997, 1997 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest.

[6]  Gabriel M. Rebeiz,et al.  A 20-50 GHz RF MEMS single-stub impedance tuner , 2005, IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters.

[7]  M. Steer.  Microwave and RF Design: A Systems Approach , 2008 .

[8]  N.S. Barker,et al.  A reconfigurable RF MEMS based double slug impedance tuner , 2005, 2005 European Microwave Conference.

[9]  Maurice A. de Jongh,et al.  Mobile phone performance improvements using an adaptively controlled antenna tuner , 2011, 2011 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium.

[10]  Thomas H. Lee,et al.  The Design of CMOS Radio-Frequency Integrated Circuits: RF CIRCUITS THROUGH THE AGES , 2003 .

[11]  Gabriel M. Rebeiz,et al.  A 20-50 GHz reconfigurable matching network for power amplifier applications , 2004, 2004 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest (IEEE Cat. No.04CH37535).

[12]  Robert Haimes,et al.  Advanced interactive visualization for CFD , 1990 .

[13]  R.A. York,et al.  Analog tunable matching network using integrated thin-film BST capacitors , 2004, 2004 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest (IEEE Cat. No.04CH37535).

[14]  J. R. Pereira,et al.  Bandwidth Analysis of a Single-Stub Matching System Using the Smith Chart [Education Column] , 2012, IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine.

[15]  Paloma Garcia Ducar,et al.  Design and Applications of a 300–800 MHz Tunable Matching Network , 2013, IEEE Journal on Emerging and Selected Topics in Circuits and Systems.

[16]  D. Kimball,et al.  Antenna impedance mismatch measurement and correction for adaptive CDMA transceivers , 2005, IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest, 2005..

[17]  H. Zirath,et al.  Design of Varactor-Based Tunable Matching Networks for Dynamic Load Modulation of High Power Amplifiers , 2009, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques.

[18]  D. Peroulis,et al.  Electrostatically-tunable analog RF MEMS varactors with measured capacitance range of 300% , 2003, IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest, 2003.

[19]  Marc J. Franco,et al.  Broadband reconfigurable matching network of reduced dimensions for the UHF military satellite communication band , 2011, 2011 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium.

[20]  Gabriel M. Rebeiz.  RF MEMS: Theory, Design and Technology , 2003 .

[21]  Christopher G. Healey,et al.  Choosing effective colours for data visualization , 1996, Proceedings of Seventh Annual IEEE Visualization '96.

[22]  Dimitrios Peroulis,et al.  A visual approach to investigating the bandwidth of transmission lines with non-Z0 impedance , 2013, IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine.

[23]  R. Fano.  Theoretical limitations on the broadband matching of arbitrary impedances , 1950 .

[24]  H. W. Bode,et al.  Network analysis and feedback amplifier design , 1945 .

[25]  N. M. Ibrahim,et al.  Analysis of current crowding effects in multiturn spiral inductors , 2001 .

[26]  G. A. Miller.  THE PSYCHOLOGICAL REVIEW THE MAGICAL NUMBER SEVEN, PLUS OR MINUS TWO: SOME LIMITS ON OUR CAPACITY FOR PROCESSING INFORMATION 1 , 1956 .

[27]  Dimitrios Peroulis,et al.  Bandwidth-optimal single-tunable-element matching network for antenna tuning in mobile handsets , 2011, 2011 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium.

[28]  Markus Berg,et al.  Experimental study of hand and head effects to mobile phone antenna radiation properties , 2009, 2009 3rd European Conference on Antennas and Propagation.

[29]  P. Steeneken,et al.  A Five-Band Reconfigurable PIFA for Mobile Phones , 2007, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.

[30]  A. Tombak.  A Ferroelectric-Capacitor-Based Tunable Matching Network for Quad-Band Cellular Power Amplifiers , 2007, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques.

[31]  Yichuang Sun,et al.  Component value ranges of tunable impedance matching networks in RF communications systems , 1997 .

[32]  K. R. Boyle,et al.  User Interaction Studies on Handset Antennas , 2007 .

[33]  John Papapolymerou,et al.  Reconfigurable double-stub tuners using MEMS switches for intelligent RF front-ends , 2003 .

[34]  Arthur S. Morris,et al.  High performance tuners for handsets , 2011, 2011 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium.

[35]  Gabriel M. Rebeiz,et al.  RF MEMS Impedance Tuners for 6-24 GHz Applications , 2007 .

[36]  J. K. Fidler,et al.  Design method for impedance matching networks , 1996 .

[37]  William T. Joines,et al.  Synthesis of lumped and distributed networks for impedance matching of complex loads , 1979 .

[38]  C. Bozler,et al.  Large tuning range analog and multi-bit MEMS varactors , 2004, 2004 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest (IEEE Cat. No.04CH37535).

[39]  P. Garcia,et al.  An RF electronically controlled impedance tuning network design and its application to an antenna input impedance automatic matching system , 2004, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques.

[40]  Huai Gao,et al.  Broad-band power amplifier with a novel tunable output matching network , 2005, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques.

[41]  A. Mortazawi,et al.  Improving Power Amplifier Efficiency and Linearity Using a Dynamically Controlled Tunable Matching Network , 2008, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques.

[42]  N.S. Barker,et al.  Distributed MEMS tunable matching network using minimal-contact RF-MEMS varactors , 2006, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques.

[43]  Haim Levkowitz,et al.  Color scales for image data , 1992, IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications.

[44]  Jae-Hyoung Park,et al.  A tunable planar inverted-F antenna with an RF MEMS switch for the correction of impedance mismatch due to human hand effects , 2009 .

[45]  Markus Berg,et al.  CAPACITIVE RECOGNITION OF THE USER'S HAND GRIP POSITION IN MOBILE HANDSETS , 2010 .

[46]  Mark Thompson,et al.  Determination of the impedance matching domain of impedance matching networks , 2004, IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems I: Regular Papers.