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This paper presents the design, fabrication, and characterization of a compact narrowband tunable impedance-matching network. A prototype was fabricated in hybrid technology using coplanar waveguide transmission lines and surface-mounted components. The network consists of a H-structure with tunable components made of varactors in series with inductors. Simulations and measurements are in good agreement. A new measurement methodology suitable for tunable impedance-matching networks is proposed. The results show that complex impedances with magnitudes varying from 6 Ω to 1 kΩ can be matched at 1 GHz and tuned in a 50% bandwidth. In addition, nonlinear measurements were done to fully characterize the network. The 1-dB compression point is reached at an input power of 20 dBm, while the input power for the third-order intermodulation intercept point is 21.3 dBm for a 1-kHz offset between the two input frequencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We develop a new wideband digital feedback predistortion (WDFBPD) technique for modulated signals with wide bandwidths by combining digital feedback predistortion (DFBPD) linearization and memory-effect compensation techniques. For the experiments, a class-AB amplifier using an LDMOSFET with 90-W peak envelope power is employed. The proposed technique is compared with existing DFBPD and memory polynomial (MP) techniques for a 2.14-GHz forward-link WCDMA 2FA signal with 10-MHz carrier spacing. The experimental results show that the new WDFBPD technique has better linearization performance than conventional DFBPD and lower computational complexity than the MP technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A symmetrical four-port microstrip coupler has been proposed for crossover application. Models have also been developed to provide insight into the performance of such a coupler, which is based on the double-ring design. Laboratory tests have confirmed that the measured isolation and return loss of the prototype coupler exceed 20 dB over a bandwidth of 20% (from 0.92 to 1.12 GHz). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new power divider concept, which provides high flexibility of transmission line characteristic impedance and port impedance, is proposed. This power divider is implemented on a parallel-strip line, which is a balanced transmission line. By implementing the advantages and uniqueness of the parallel-strip line, the divider outperforms the conventional divider in terms of isolation bandwidths. A swap structure of the two lines of the parallel-strip line is employed in this design, which is critical for the isolation enhancements. A lumped-circuit model of the parallel-strip swap including all parasitic effects has been analyzed. An equal power divider with center frequency of 2 GHz was designed to demonstrate the idea. The experimental results show that the equal power divider has 96.5% - 19-dB impedance bandwidth with more than 25-dB isolation and less than 0.7-dB insertion loss. In order to generalize the concept with an arbitrary power ratio, we also realize unequal power dividers with the same isolation characteristics. The impedance bandwidth of the proposed power divider will increase with the dividing ratio, which is opposite to the conventional Wilkinson power divider. Unequal dividers with dividing ratios of 1 :2 and 1 : 12 are designed and measured. Additionally, a frequency independent 180° power divider has been realized with less than 2° phase errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a technique for reconstructing one-dimensional stratified permittivity profiles. The proposed technique is based on the inversion of the measured frequency-domain reflection coefficient of the profile into a virtual time domain. The inversion of the reflection coefficient is based on the super-resolution technique root multiple-signal classification. The advantage of using this technique is its ability to remove the sidelobe effect caused by the limited measurement bandwidth. Measurements using different materials have been carried out to validate the quality of the proposed technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurements are presented for microstrip filters on layered media containing magnetized ferrites. The measurements show that the filters can be tuned by adjusting the magnitude of the magnetic-bias field. The measured results are compared with full-wave numerical results obtained by the authors via the method of moments in the spectral domain. The agreement between experimental and numerical results is reasonably good. The results show that the bandwidth of the filters appreciably decreases as the tuning frequency increases for frequencies located above the magnetostatic waves range (MWR). However, tuning is achieved without substantial bandwidth reduction for frequencies located below the MWR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a novel technique for radiometric detection of radiation in the millimeter-wave regime based on optical modulation. Millimeter-wave energy modulated onto an optical carrier is detected using a low-bandwidth photodetector with optical filtering to suppress the carrier. Using this technique, we have achieved noise-equivalent powers as low as 20 pW√Hz for a 44-GHz narrow-band signal using chopping techniques. Such detection was implemented using commercially available components and without RF or optical amplification. Further improvements in sensitivity are expected as the setup is optimized for operation in the frequency band of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new architecture for baseband digital predistortion dedicated to wide-hand transmissions is presented. The proposed predistorter consists of a cascade of a static lookup table-based predistorter and a subband filtering block. The subband filtering technique is used to improve the correction bandwidth limitation of conventional architectures. The cases of four- and eight-subband decomposition were considered and compared to the case where the fullband signal is processed. This revealed that the subband processing results in a better sensitivity and an independent tuning ability of the predistorter at each subband. In addition, it was shown that, in the proposed predistorter, the computational complexity and the required processing speed are reduced proportionally to the number of subbands. Moreover, in an adaptive digital predistortion context, a quicker convergence can be achieved. Experimental validation of the subband-based predistortion concept was successfully carried on a 100-W peak envelop power lateral double diffused metal-oxide semiconductor power amplifier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a new low-frequency noise model of a GaInP-GaAs HBT and the associated extraction process from measurements. Specific measurements enable us to locate the two dominant low-frequency noise sources. Their spectral densities extraction as a function of the emitter bias current is then performed and a normalized scalable model is deduced. The cyclostationarity of the low-frequency noise sources is justified. The whole noise model including the shot noise source is implemented in the nonlinear IJIBT model used in the United Monolithic Semi-conductors foundry. In order to verify the validity of the scalable noise model, several voltage-controlled oscillators with different center frequencies and tuning bandwidth have been designed and processed. Comparisons between the predicted performances and experimental results show an excellent agreement and validate the proposed low-frequency noise modeling of multifinger HBTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A miniaturized dual-mode ring bandpass filter at 1.45 GHz with a bandwidth of 6% is demonstrated. The perturbation of the dual modes is realized by a pair of local ground defects. The miniaturization is achieved by loading the peripheral of the ring with the butterfly radial stub structure. A 41% loading factor has been achieved using this method. The simulated and measured results are in good agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]