Chengfang Fu

Bio: Chengfang Fu is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Environmental science & Exergy. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 37 citations.

Dispersion Characteristics of a Rectangular Helix Slow-Wave Structure

Abstract: A special type of helical slow-wave structure encompassing a rectangular geometry is investigated in this paper, and the slow-wave characteristics are studied taking into account the anisotropically conducting helix. By using the electromagnetic integral equations at the boundaries, the dispersion equation and the interaction impedance of transverse antisymmetric modes in this structure are derived. Moreover, the obtained complex dispersion equation is numerically calculated. The calculation results by our theory agree well with the results obtained by the 3-D EM simulation software HFSS. The numerical results reveal that the phase velocity decreases and interaction impedance increases at higher frequencies by flattening (increasing the aspect ratio of) the rectangular helix structure. In addition, a comparison of slow-wave characteristics of this structure with a conventional round helix is made.

Integration of phase change thermal storage system with vertical solar Chimney In Greenhouse

Abstract: The performance stability of the system can be improved by incorporating a solar chimney with a phase-change material (PCM). It is recommended that instead of using the traditional multi-curved trough air collectors for solar greenhouses, a solar phase change thermal storage wall construction system with vertical air channels be employed. Solar thermal utilization of the rear wall. In order to verify feasibility of the construction system, a multi-curved trough air collector test system for solar greenhouse and a phase-change heat storage wall test system with vertical air channels were built respectively. The air velocity in the heater, the air flow parameters (air velocity, air channel spacing, air flow direction) in the sensible heat storage wall layer in the solar greenhouse, etc. The study’s findings indicate that the collector performs at its peak level of total heat absorption when its air velocity is between 1.4 and 1.8 m/s, and that heat absorption rises as solar radiation intensity rises. The suggested system design orientation offers an efficient way to raise the thermal performance of the system with the least amount of work and expense for practical applications.

A Novel V-Shaped Microstrip Meander-Line Slow-Wave Structure for W-band MMPM

Abstract: In this paper, a novel V-shaped microstrip meander-line slow-wave structure (SWS) is proposed for use in a low-voltage high-efficiency wide-bandwidth miniature millimeter-wave traveling-wave tube (TWT). The electromagnetic characteristics and the interaction between the sheet electron beam and slow wave in this SWS are obtained by utilizing the CST Microwave Studio and Particle Studio codes, respectively. From our calculations, it is predicted that, at a beam voltage of 3.7 kV and a beam current of 100 mA, an output power greater than 30 W can be obtained ranging from 75 to 100 GHz, and this V-shaped microstrip meander-line TWT will be helpful for a W-band millimeter-wave power module.

Planar Helical Antenna of Circular Polarization

Abstract: A planar helical antenna is presented for achieving wideband end-fire radiation of circular polarization while maintaining a very low profile. The helix is formed using printed strips with straight-edge connections implemented by plated via-holes. The currents flowing on the strips and along via-holes of the helix contribute to the horizontal and vertical polarizations, respectively. Besides, the current on the ground plane is utilized to weaken the strong amplitude of the horizontal electric field generated by the one on the strips. Thus, a good circular polarization can be achieved. Furthermore, a tapered helix and conducting side-walls are employed to broaden the axial ratio (AR) bandwidth as well as to improve the end-fire radiation pattern. The designed antenna operates at the center frequency of 10 GHz. Simulated results show that the planar helical antenna achieves wide-impedance bandwidth ( $\vert S_{11} \vert ) from 7.4 to 12.8 GHz (54%) and 3-dB AR bandwidth from 8.2 to 11.6 GHz (34%), while retaining a thickness of only $0.11{{{\lambda }}_0}$ at the center frequency. A prototype of the proposed antenna is fabricated and tested. Measured results are in good agreement with simulated ones.

Microfabrication and Characterization of W-Band Planar Helix Slow-Wave Structure With Straight-Edge Connections

Abstract: A slow-wave structure (SWS) consisting of a planar helix with straight-edge connections and incorporating a coplanar waveguide feed has been designed for operation at W-band and has been fabricated using microfabrication technique. On-wafer cold measurements have been carried out on a number of fabricated SWSs, and the results are reported here for the first time. The parameters measured are return loss, attenuation, and phase velocity, and the results cover a frequency range of 70-100 GHz. Cold-test parameters of the SWS have been also obtained using simulations, and the effects of fabrication, such as surface roughness, have been accounted for by estimating effective conductivity of different parts of the microfabricated structures. The measured and simulated results match well. The effects of silicon wafer resistivity have been also discussed. Planar helical SWSs fabricated in this manner have application in traveling-wave tubes operating at millimeter wave and higher frequencies.

Symmetric Double V-Shaped Microstrip Meander-Line Slow-Wave Structure for W-Band Traveling-Wave Tube

Abstract: A design study for a low-voltage, high-efficiency, and wide-bandwidth W-band traveling-wave tube using a symmetric double V-shaped microstrip meander-line slow-wave structure combined with a sheet electron beam is described in this paper. The electromagnetic characteristics including the dispersion characteristics, interaction impedance, and transmission characteristics of this structure are presented, and the beam-wave interaction is calculated using particle-in-cell algorithms. Our study shows that, when the design voltage and current of the sheet electron beam are set to 4570 V and 100 mA, respectively, this miniature millimeter-wave power amplifier is capable of delivering several tens of watts output power, and the peak output power is about 110 W with a corresponding gain of 31.4 dB and an averaged electronic efficiency of 12% at 94 GHz.

Planar Helix With Straight-Edge Connections in the Presence of Multilayer Dielectric Substrates

Abstract: A planar slow-wave structure consisting of a planar helix with straight-edge connections has been studied in the context of application in traveling-wave tubes. The effects of several practical modifications to the basic structure are examined. These modifications comprise a vacuum tunnel, metal shield, and multilayer dielectric substrates. A modified effective dielectric constant method is proposed to obtain the dispersion characteristics for different possible configurations. Furthermore, coupling impedance for the different configurations has been calculated using the corresponding 2-D approximations. It is shown that, far from cutoff, the phase velocity and coupling impedance values calculated in this manner match very well with the simulation results obtained from CST Microwave Studio. The effects of variations in aspect ratio, metal shield distance, and dielectric constant of the substrates on phase velocity and coupling impedance are studied. A coplanar waveguide feed has been designed for one of the possible configurations. The measured S-parameters and phase velocity values for this proof-of-concept configuration agree well with the simulated results and confirm the ease of fabrication, low loss, and the wideband potential of the planar helix with straight-edge connections.