Showing papers on "Microstrip published in 2007"

RFID Tag and RF Structures on a Paper Substrate Using Inkjet-Printing Technology

Abstract: In this paper, inkjet-printed UHF and microwave circuits fabricated on paper substrates are investigated for the first time as an approach that aims for a system-level solution for fast and ultra-low-cost mass production. First, the RF characteristics of the paper substrate are studied by using the microstrip ring resonator in order to characterize the relative permittivity (epsivr) and loss tangent (tan delta) of the substrate at the UHF band for the first time reported. A UHF RFID tag module is then developed with the inkjet-printing technology, proving this approach could function as an enabling technology for much simpler and faster fabrication on/in paper. Simulation and well-agreed measurement results, which show very good agreement, verify a good performance of the tag module. In addition, the possibility of multilayer RF structures on a paper substrate is explored, and a multilayer patch resonator bandpass filter demonstrates the feasibility of ultra-low-cost 3-D paper-on-paper RF/wireless structures.

Dual-Mode Microstrip Open-Loop Resonators and Filters

Abstract: A miniature dual-mode microstrip open-loop resonator is proposed. Distinct characteristics of this new type of dual-mode resonator are investigated using full-wave electromagnetic simulations. It is shown that the two operating modes, i.e., the even and odd modes, within a single dual-mode resonator of this type do not couple. It is also found that there is a finite-frequency transmission zero inherently associated with the even mode. Two two-pole filters using this type of dual-mode resonator are demonstrated with opposite asymmetric responses, which result from different locations of the transmission zero. Higher order filters of this type are also investigated. Both simulated and measured results are presented.

Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Bandpass Filter With Embedded Band Notch Structures

Abstract: A compact ultra-wideband (UWB) bandpass filter (BPF) with narrow notched (rejection) band in the UWB passband realized on a microstrip line is implemented and presented in this letter for use in wireless communication applications within the unlicensed UWB range set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The filter consists of five short-circuited stubs separated by nonredundant connecting lines in order to exhibit a high selectivity filtering characteristic. The narrow notched (rejection) band was introduced by using a new technique which involves embedding open stubs in the first and last connecting lines in order to reject any undesired existing radio signal which may interfere with the determined UWB passband. The bandwidth of the notched filter can be controlled by adjusting the width of the stubs or the gaps or both. The length of the stubs can be tuned to select a specific frequency for the notched band. The embedded stubs can be used to excite single or double band-reject response. Two UWB BPFs with narrow notched band having a fractional bandwidth (FBW) of about 4.6% and 6.5% were realized theoretically and verified by full-wave EM simulation and the experiment. Excellent agreement between the predicted and measured results was obtained and is demonstrated

Dual Wideband Printed Monopole Antenna for WLAN/WiMAX Applications

Abstract: A novel printed monopole antenna with dual widebands is presented for simultaneously satisfying wireless local area network (WLAN) and worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) applications. The antenna structure consists of a rectangular monopole with a microstrip feedline for excitation and a trapezoid conductor-backed plane for band broadening. The measured 10 dB bandwidth for return loss is from 2.01 to 4.27 GHz and 5.06 to 6.79 GHz, covering all the 2.4/5.2/5.8 GHz WLAN bands and 2.5/3.5/5.5 GHz WiMAX bands

Dual-Band and Triple-Band Substrate Integrated Waveguide Filters With Chebyshev and Quasi-Elliptic Responses

Abstract: In this paper, synthesis and design techniques of dual- and triple-passband filters with Chebyshev and quasi-elliptic symmetric frequency responses are proposed and demonstrated for the first time on the basis of substrate integrated waveguide technology. The inverter coupled resonator section is first investigated, and then a dual-passband Chebyshev filter, a triple-passband Chebyshev filter, and a dual-passband quasi-elliptic filter, which consist of the inverter coupled resonator sections, are synthesized from the generalized low-pass prototypes having Chebyshev or quasi-elliptic responses, respectively. Subsequently, theses filters with a symmetric response are designed and implemented using the substrate integrated waveguide scheme over the -band frequency range. The inverter coupled resonator sections composed of side-by-side horizontally oriented substrate integrated waveguide cavities are coupled, in turn, by post-wall irises. 50-Omega microstrip lines are used to directly excite the filters. Measured results are presented and compared to those simulated by Ansoft's High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) software package. A good agreement between the simulated and measured results is observed, which has also validated the proposed concept of design and synthesis with the substrate integration technology.

Design of Compact Directional Couplers for UWB Applications

Abstract: This paper presents a simple design method for a class of compact couplers, which offer coupling in the range of 3-10 dB over an ultra-wide frequency band from 3.1 to 10.6 GHz. The proposed couplers are formed by two elliptically shaped microstrip lines, which are broadside coupled through an elliptically shaped slot. Their design is demonstrated for a 3-, 6-, and 10-dB coupling assuming a 0.508-mm-thick Rogers RO4003C substrate. Results of simulation and measurements show that the designed devices exhibit a coupling of 3plusmn1 dB, 6plusmn1.4 dB and 10plusmn1.5 dB across the 3.1-10.6-GHz band. This ultra-wideband coupling is accompanied by isolation and return loss in the order of 20 dB or better. The manufactured devices including microstrip ports occupy an area of 25 mm times 15 mm

Statistical Analysis and Performance Evaluation for On-Body Radio Propagation With Microstrip Patch Antennas

Abstract: On-body propagation channel measurements using two microstrip patch antennas for various links are presented and statistically analyzed. The attenuation attributed to factors such as the body, head and clothing are: 19.2, 13.0, and 1.7 dB, respectively, when measurement performed in the anechoic chamber. Measured cumulative distribution function (CDF) of data in the chamber and lab fits to lognormal distribution with deviation factors comparable in both cases. The results demonstrate that the human body is a major shadowing contributor in body area network (BAN) radio systems. The performance of potential radio systems under the measured channel variations is also investigated. Excellent system performance is achievable with power levels as low as 0.01mW. These results support the significance of channel characterization and modelling in producing suitable wireless systems for ultra low power BANs

Design of an Electronically Beam Scanning Reflectarray Using Aperture-Coupled Elements

Abstract: The design of a C-band electronically beam scanning reflectarray is presented. The reconfigurable reflectarray element consists of a microstrip patch, printed on a flexible membrane substrate, aperture-coupled to a transmission line loaded with two varactor diodes. The designed element allows continuous tuning of the reflected signal's phase over a 360deg range with a maximum loss of 2.4 dB at 5.4 GHz. The measured results on a 30-element reflectarray breadboard show that by varying the bias voltages on each element the main beam can be steered to large angles, up to 40deg from broadside in the H-plane. A loss analysis of the proposed reflectarray is also presented

Wideband reflectarrays using artificial impedance surfaces

Abstract: The gain bandwidth of a microstrip reflectarray can be substantially improved by replacing the usual layer of near-resonant patches with a simple artificial impedance surface consisting of closely spaced electrically small patches on a grounded dielectric substrate. It is shown that this approach can lead to reflectarray gain bandwidths (1 dB) in excess of 20% with a single layer of printed elements.

A New Planar Artificial Transmission Line and Its Applications to a Miniaturized Butler Matrix

Abstract: A miniaturized quadrature hybrid coupler, a rat-race coupler, and a 4 times 4 Butler matrix based on a newly proposed planar artificial transmission line are presented in this paper for application in ultra-high-frequency (UHF) radio-frequency identification (RFID) systems. This planar artificial transmission line is composed of microstrip quasi-lumped elements and their discontinuities and is capable of synthesizing microstrip lines with various characteristic impedances and electrical lengths. At the center frequency of the UHF RFID system, the occupied sizes of the proposed quadrature hybrid and rat-race couplers are merely 27% and 9% of those of the conventional designs. The miniaturized couplers demonstrate well-behaved wideband responses with no spurious harmonics up to two octaves. The measured results reveal excellent agreement with the simulations. Additionally, a 4 times 4 Butler matrix, which may occupy a large amount of circuit area in conventional designs, has been successfully miniaturized with the help of the proposed artificial transmission line. The circuit size of the Butler matrix is merely 21% of that of a conventional design. The experimental results show that the proposed Butler matrix features good phase control, nearly equal power splitting, and compact size and is therefore applicable to the reader modules in various RFID systems.

A Stub Tapped Branch-Line Coupler for Dual-Band Operations

Abstract: This letter presents a stub tapped branch-line coupler for dual-band applications. In the new design, a tapped stub is used to realize 90deg phase change at two frequencies. Both the characteristic impedance and the length of the proposed branch lines are adjusted accordingly compared with the conventional structure. Explicit design equations are derived using the ABCD-matrix. To verify the design concept, a microstrip coupler operating at 0.9 and 2GHz is fabricated and measured on a Rogers' RO4003 board

Composite Right/Left-Handed Metamaterial Transmission Lines Based on Complementary Split-Rings Resonators and Their Applications to Very Wideband and Compact Filter Design

Abstract: In this paper, we discuss in detail the transmission characteristics of composite right/left-handed transmission lines based on complementary split-rings resonators. Specifically, the necessary conditions to obtain a continuous transition between the left- and right-handed bands (balanced case) are pointed out. It is found that very wide bands can be obtained by balancing the line. The application of this technique to the design of very wideband and compact filters is illustrated by means of two examples. One of them is based on the hybrid approach, where a microstrip line is loaded with complementary split-rings resonators, series gaps, and grounded stubs; the other one is a bandpass filter, also based on a balanced line, but in this case, by using only complementary split-rings resonators and series gaps (purely resonant-type approach). As will be seen, very small dimensions and good performance are obtained. The proposed filters are useful for ultra-wideband systems.

Probe Fed Stacked Patch Antenna for Wideband Applications

Abstract: A new design of a U-slot microstrip antenna with an E shaped stacked patch is presented that achieves an impedance bandwidth of 59.7%. Parameters such as substrate thickness, slot length, width are investigated and design results from parametric simulations are presented. The electric current distributions on the patch and the radiation patterns are also demonstrated in this paper.

A New Wilkinson Power Divider Design for Dual Band Application

Abstract: This letter presents the design of a new Wilkinson power divider for dual-band application. The proposed circuit also features a simple structure, low loss (distributed element only) and exact solution (ideal characteristics). For verification, the measured results of a microstrip power divider operating at 1 and 2.6 GHz are shown.

Wideband Microstrip Ring Resonator Bandpass Filters Under Multiple Resonances

Abstract: A new class of wideband microstrip bandpass filters is proposed under multiple resonances of an asymmetric ring resonator. Two capacitive coupling elements are placed at two perpendicular positions of a squared ring, whereas a pair of open-circuited stubs is formed in the symmetrical plane of these two excited ports similar to a dual-mode ring filter in shape. By stretching the paired stubs close to one-eighth of a wavelength, the first two even-order resonances move down to be quasi-equally located at two sides of the first odd-order resonance, thus forming a triple-resonance ring resonator. As interdigital coupled lines are installed at two ports instead of lumped capacitors, two extra resonances can be moved into passband, thereby making up a quintuple-resonance ring resonator. To provide an insight into their operating mechanism, these ring resonators are characterized in terms of transmission line theory. Afterwards, various wideband microstrip ring resonator bandpass filters with one or two asymmetric ring resonators are optimally designed and fabricated. Simulated results are confirmed via experiment, showing good wideband filtering performance with widened/deepened upper stopband and sharpened rejection skirts outside the wide passband.

Apparatus for transitioning millimeter wave between dielectric waveguide and transmission line

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for transitioning a millimeter wave between dielectric waveguide and transmission line using a millimeter wave transition structure formed by the dielectric waveguide, the transmission line, and a slot to transition a signal with lower losses. The apparatus includes: transmission lines disposed respectively at input and output terminals on an uppermost dielectric substrate in a signal transition direction and adapted to transition a signal; a dielectric waveguide formed by a via array disposed between top and bottom ground surfaces of a lowermost dielectric substrate in the signal transition direction as a signal transition path; and slots disposed at a signal transition path of an upper ground surface of each dielectric substrate to connect the transmission lines to the dielectric waveguide so as to transition a signal from the transmission line of the input terminal to the transmission line of the output terminal through the dielectric waveguide.

Design of a Compact UWB Out-of-Phase Power Divider

Abstract: The design of a compact out-of-phase uniplanar power divider operating over an ultra wide frequency band is presented. To achieve an out-of-phase signal division over a large frequency range, a T-junction formed by a slotline and a microstrip line accompanied by wideband microstrip to slotline transitions is employed. The simulated and experimental results of the developed divider show a low insertion loss and good return loss performance of the three ports across the band 3.1-10.6 GHz

Novel Dual-Mode Dual-Band Filters Using Coplanar-Waveguide-Fed Ring Resonators

Abstract: This paper presents a novel approach for designing dual-mode dual-band bandpass filters with independently controlled center frequencies and bandwidths. Two microstrip perturbed ring resonators are employed to obtain dual-mode dual-band responses. Novel feeding structures are introduced to simultaneously feed the ring resonators and conveniently control the coupling strength between resonators and feeding lines, resulting in a wide tunable range of external quality factors. Two kinds of filter configurations with compact size are proposed. Both of them provide sufficient degrees of freedom to satisfy various requirements of external qualify factors and coupling coefficients at both passbands. Therefore, the center frequencies and fractional bandwidths of both passbands can be independently tuned to desired specifications within a wide range. To verify the proposed method, four filters are implemented. The measured results exhibit dual-mode dual-band bandpass responses with high selectivity.

A New High-Gain Microstrip Yagi Array Antenna With a High Front-to-Back (F/B) Ratio for WLAN and Millimeter-Wave Applications

Abstract: A new printed microstrip Yagi array antenna is proposed that can achieve a high gain and low backside radiation for various applications up to the millimeter-wave frequency range. The high front-to-back (F/B) ratio (up to 15 dB) is attributed to the constructive interference that takes place between the individual printed Yagi arrays in the design. Through the spacing of the elements, the directivity (between 9-11.5 dBi) and the F/B ratio can be altered to suit the application of interest. The operational principles of this design are discussed to give insight on the radiation mechanism of the antenna. An initial design at around 32.5 GHz is presented to show the performance capabilities of this configuration. An impedance bandwidth of 8.3% can be achieved around this frequency. Then, a parametric analysis is conducted to estimate the significance of the design parameters that affect the antenna's performance. Finally, measured return loss and radiation pattern performance at 5.2 GHz is displayed to validate the principles and simulated results of the design. The measured impedance bandwidth of 10% is achieved. The F/B ratio is 15 dB which is larger than values previously published by 5-10 dB. Additionally, a gain of 10.7 dBi is observed. To the author's knowledge, this is the first microstrip Yagi array antenna presented that has a high gain and a high F/B ratio designed using simple fabrication techniques

Microstrip Antenna Array With a Beam Focused in the Near-Field Zone for Application in Noncontact Microwave Industrial Inspection

Abstract: This paper presents a novel antenna having a beam focused to a small spot in the near-field zone which is intended for use in microwave industrial inspection. The array is implemented using broadband U-slotted microstrip patch-antenna elements and an integrated microstrip feeding network. Analogy with a dielectric lens is used to generate appropriate feeding coefficients for the elements of the array. The concept is demonstrated with two practical implementations having 300- and 126-mm focal distances. The measured results are presented and shown to be in good agreement with the predictions, validating the development concept.

Ultra-Wideband Phase Shifters

Abstract: A method with clear guidelines is presented to design compact planar phase shifters with ultra-wideband (UWB) characteristics. The proposed method exploits broadside coupling between top and bottom elliptical microstrip patches via an elliptical slot located in the mid layer, which forms the ground plane. A theoretical model is used to analyze performance of the proposed devices. The model shows that it is possible to design high-performance UWB phase shifters for the 25deg-48deg range using the proposed structure. The method is used to design 30deg and 45deg phase shifters that have compact size, i.e., 2.5 cm times 2 cm. The simulated and measured results show that the designed phase shifters achieve better than plusmn3deg differential phase stability, less than 1-dB insertion loss, and better than 10-dB return loss across the UWB, i.e., 3.1-10.6 GHz.

Asymmetric Parallel-Coupled Lines for Notch Implementation in UWB Filters

Abstract: In this letter, a novel microstrip parallel-coupled line structure with two asymmetric loading stubs is proposed for notched band implementation in ultra-wideband (UWB) bandpass filter (BPF). The rejection band is introduced by adding asymmetric loading stubs to the two outer arms of three parallel-coupled lines. The lengths and the widths of the stubs can control the bandwidth of the notched filter and can set the notched band at a desired frequency. This structure has been applied to a single-stage UWB BPF in order to produce a narrow notched band inside its passband. The design is successfully realized in theory and verified by full-wave electromagnetic simulation and the experiment.

A Modified Microstrip-Fed Two-Step Tapered Monopole Antenna for UWB and WLAN Applications

Abstract: This paper presents a novel modified Printed Tapered Monopole Antenna (PTMA) for ultra wideband (UWB) wireless communication applications. The proposed antenna consists of a truncated ground plane and two-tapered radiating patch separated by a slot (air gap) of different slopes, which provides a wideband behavior and relatively good matching. Moreover, the effects of a modified T-shaped slot inserted in the first tapered patch, on the impedance matching is investigated. The antenna has a small area of 23 × 26.5 mm2 and offers an impedance bandwidth as high as 100% at a centre frequency of 7.2 GHz for S11 < −10 dB, which has an area reduction of 15% and a frequency bandwidth increment of 72% with respect to the previous similar antenna. The presented antenna covers the 5.2/5.8 GHz WLAN and 5.5 GHz WIMAX operating bands. Numerical analysis using Ansoft HFSS and measurement results is also presented in the paper.

Synthesizing Microstrip Branch-Line Couplers With Predetermined Compact Size and Bandwidth

Abstract: A new method for designing the microstrip branch- line couplers with predetermined compact size and bandwidth is proposed in this paper. With the proposed approach, the size of the quarter-wavelength transmission line in the branch-line coupler can be reduced greatly. In addition, the proposed couplers can be easily fabricated on the printed circuit board without any lumped element. A chart concludes the relationship between bandwidth and size reduction rate. It shows that open stubs with low impedance perform better than those with high impedance; moreover, the more open stubs with low impedance utilized, the broader the bandwidth will be. Furthermore, the measured frequency responses show good agreement with the theoretical results.

Microstrip Realization of Generalized Chebyshev Filters With Box-Like Coupling Schemes

Abstract: This paper presents generalized Chebyshev microstrip filters with box-like coupling schemes. The box-like coupling schemes taken in this paper include a doublet, extended doublet, and fourth-order box section. The box-like portion of the coupling schemes is implemented by an E-shaped resonator. Synthesis and realization procedures are described in detail. The example filters show an excellent match to the theoretical responses

Half width leaky wave antennas

Abstract: Leaky travelling wave antennas that use the first microstrip higher-order mode are analysed. The antennas investigated here are only half the width of previous leaky wave designs and utilise a structure that inherently suppresses the fundamental mode. Since mode purity is assured, the need for an elaborate feed structure is eliminated. A means for extracting the complex propagation constant of a leaky wave antenna is presented using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method. Agreement is shown between the resulting propagation constant and another established theoretical method, the transverse resonance method. Representative measured far-field patterns are included, which are consistent with the computed propagation constants. The properties of curving the leaky wave structure are also studied.

Compact Ultra-Wideband Microstrip/Coplanar Waveguide Bandpass Filter

Abstract: A novel ultra wideband (UWB) bandpass filter is presented, using a compact coupled microstrip/coplanar waveguide (CPW) structure. The filter comprises of a single CPW quarter-wavelength resonator which is coupled to two microstrip open-circuited stubs on the other side of a common substrate. The two microstrip open-circuited stubs, which are about a quarter-wavelength long at the center frequency, can function as two resonators with associated coupling arrangement to the CPW. This forms a very compact three-pole filter. The proposed filter also exhibits a quasi-elliptic function response, with one finite-frequency transmission zero closer to each side of the passband. Thus, a high selectivity is achieved using a small number of resonators, which leads to low insertion loss and group delay across the passband. The performance is predicated using EM simulations and verified experimentally. The experimental filter shows a fractional bandwidth of 90% at a center frequency of 6.4GHz, with two observable transmission zeros (attenuation poles) at 1.95 and 10.36GHz, respectively. Furthermore, it has a very small size only amounting to 0.25 by 0.08 guided wavelength at the center frequency

Wideband Circularly Polarized Stacked Microstrip Antennas

Abstract: A simple technique is developed to improve the axial ratio (AR)-bandwidth and quality of circularly polarized stacked microstrip antennas (CPSMAs) using a new C-type single feed. The proposed antenna has been optimized and fabricated, and the computed results agree very well with measurements. The antenna has a 3 dB AR bandwidth of 13.5%, gain is more than 7.5 dBi over the 3 dB AR bandwidth and the 10 dB return-loss bandwidth is 21%. The proposed feed optimization technique is useful for rapid design of circular polarized stacked microstrip antennas.

A Compact Slow-Wave Microstrip Branch-Line Coupler With High Performance

Abstract: One compact slow-wave microstrip branch-line coupler is presented. The new structure not only effectively reduces the occupied area to 28% of the conventional branch-line coupler at 2.0 GHz, but also has high second harmonic suppression performance. The measured results indicate a bandwidth of more than 200 MHz has been achieved while the phase difference between S21 and S31 is within 90deg plusmn 1deg. Furthermore, the measured insertion loss is comparable to that of a conventional branch-line coupler. The new coupler can be easily implemented by using the standard printed-circuit-board etching processes and is very useful for wireless communication systems.