Abstract
We have developed a novel reconfigurable matching network based on the loaded‐line technique. The network is composed of N‐switched capacitors (N
= 4–8) with a capacitance ratio of 4–5:1 and is suitable for power
amplifiers at 4–18 GHz, or as an impedance tuner for noise parameter and
load‐pull measurements at 10–28 GHz. The networks are very small, and
offer better performance than double or triple stub matching networks.
Extensive loss analysis indicates that the 8‐element network has a loss
of 0.5 dB at 4–12 GHz, and less than 1.5 dB at 18 GHz, even when
matching a 10Ω output impedance to a 50Ω load. As expected, the
4‐element matching network has about half the loss of the 8‐element
network, but with much less impedance coverage. Both networks were
simulated and measured in high VSWR conditions and can handle at least
500 mW of RF power at 4–18 GHz. The application areas are in phased
array antennas, reconfigurable power amplifiers, and wideband
noise‐parameter and load‐pull measurement systems
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 356 - 372 |
Number of pages | 17 |
Journal | International Journal of RF and Microwave Computer-Aided Engineering |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2004 |
MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Keywords
- RF MEMS
- reconfigurablöe networks
- impedance tuner
- matching network
- loaded-line
- phased arrays
- load-pull
- noise parameters