A Microfabricated Bandpass Filter with Coarse-Tuning and Fine-Tuning Ability Based on IPD Process and PCB Artwork

In this paper, a bandpass filter (BPF) was developed utilizing GaAs-based integrated passive device technology which comprises an asymmetrical spiral inductor and an interleaved array capacitor, possessing two tuning modes: coarse-tuning and fine-tuning. By altering the number of layers and radius of the GaAs substrate metal spheres, capacitance variation from 0.071 to 0.106 pF for coarse-tuning, and of 0.0015 pF for fine-tuning, can be achieved. Five air bridges were employed in the asymmetrical spiral inductor to save space, contributing to a compact chip area of 0.015λ0 × 0.018λ0. The BPF chip was installed on the printed circuit board artwork with Au bonding wire and attached to a die sink. Measured results demonstrate an insertion loss of 0.38 dB and a return loss of 21.5 dB at the center frequency of 2.147 GHz. Furthermore, under coarse-tuning mode, variation in the center frequency from 1.956 to 2.147 GHz and transmission zero frequency from 4.721 to 5.225 GHz can be achieved. Under fine-tuning mode, the minimum tuning value and the average tuning value of the proposed BPF can be accurate to 1.0 MHz and 4.7 MHz for the center frequency and 1.0 MHz and 12.8 MHz for the transmission zero frequency, respectively.

Characterisation of glue behaviour under thermal and mechanical stress conditions

New low-cost measuring devices require that the box housing and electronics have the cost aligned with the sensing system. Nowadays, metallic clips and/or glue are commonly used to fix the electronics to the box, thus providing the same motion of the structure to the sensing element. However, these systems may undergo daily or seasonal thermal cycles, and the combined effect of thermal and mechanical stress can determine significant uncertainties in the measurand evaluation. To study these effects, we prepared some parallel plates capacitors by using glue as a dielectric material. We used different types of fixing and sample assembly to separate the effects of glue softening on the capacitor active area and plates distance. Therefore, we assessed the sample modification by measuring the capacitance variation during controlled temperature cycles. We explored possible non-linear behaviour of the capacitance vs. temperature, and possible effects of thermal cycles on the glue geometry. Further work is still needed to properly assess the nature of this phenomenon and to study the effect of mechanical stress on the sample’s capacitance.

Developments and Recent Progresses in Microwave Impedance Microscope

Microwave impedance microscope (MIM) is a near-field microwave technology which has low emission energy and can detect samples without any damages. It has numerous advantages, which can appreciably suppress the common-mode signal as the sensing probe separates from the excitation electrode, and it is an effective device to represent electrical properties with high spatial resolution. This article reviews the major theories of MIM in detail which involve basic principles and instrument configuration. Besides, this paper summarizes the improvement of MIM properties, and its cutting-edge applications in quantitative measurements of nanoscale permittivity and conductivity, capacitance variation, and electronic inhomogeneity. The relevant implementations in recent literature and prospects of MIM based on the current requirements are discussed. Limitations and advantages of MIM are also highlighted and surveyed to raise awareness for more research into the existing near-field microwave microscopy. This review on the ongoing progress and future perspectives of MIM technology aims to provide a reference for the electronic and microwave measurement community.

The effect of bending on laser-cut electro-textile inductors and capacitors attached on denim as wearable structures

In this paper we present the design, fabrication and characterization of electro-textile inductor and capacitor patterns on denim fabric as a basis for the development of wearable e-textiles. Planar coil inductors have been harnessed as antenna structures for the development of near field communication tags with temperature sensing capability, while interdigitated electrode capacitors have been used as humidity sensors for wearable applications. The effect of bending in the electrical performance of such structures was evaluated, showing variations below 5% in both inductance and capacitance values for bending angles in the range of interest; that is, those fitting to human limbs. In the case of the fabricated near field communication tags, a shift in the resonance frequency below 1.7% was found, meaning that the e-textile tag would still be readable by a near field communication-enabled smartphone. In respect of the capacitive humidity sensor, we obtained a minimum capacitance variation of 40% for a relative humidity range from 10% to 90%. Measured thermal shift was below 5% in the range from 10 to 40℃. When compared with the 4% variation due to bending, it can be concluded that this capacitive structure can be harnessed as a humidity sensor even under bending strain conditions and moderate temperature variations. The development and characterization of such structures on denim fabrics, which is one of the most popular fabrics for everyday clothing, combined with the additional advantage of affordable and easy fabrication methodologies, means a further step towards the next generation of smart e-textile products.

GaN 2DEG Varactor-Based Impulse Suppression Module for Protection Against Malicious Electromagnetic Interference

A GaN-based metal–semiconductor–metal varactor with a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) layer is proposed and fabricated. The capacitance variation of this fabricated varactor biased at different external voltages is studied and measured, and the frequency-dependent capacitance and resistance of the varactor are simulated by a corresponding empirical formula. A high-frequency protective filter is further constructed and placed under a large pulsed-current injection in a malicious electromagnetic interference immunity test. The results show that the proposed GaN-based module can reduce the large pulsed current to an acceptably small level. Thus, the GaN-based 2DEG varactor is an attractive candidate for applications designed to protect the upcoming 5G high-frequency system from risks such as electrostatic discharge, lightning, and electromagnetic pulses.

High temperature lead-free BNT-based ceramics with stable energy storage and dielectric properties

The designed 0.8BNTSZ–0.2NN ceramic demonstrates superb temperature stability with a capacitance variation <±15 from −55 °C to 545 °C.

Aging monitoring of electrical machines using winding high frequency equivalent circuits

This study defines a monitoring method based on impedance analysis in the upper part of the spectrum. It focuses on the analysis of the high frequency behavior of electrical machines windings considering the turn-to-turn capacitance variations (delta-C) due to insulation aging. An equivalent circuit is automatically generated from the turn arrangements in coils; parameters are computed considering the coil shape and the characteristics of insulation materials. PSpice analysis of the equivalent circuit yields the resonance frequencies to be monitored. With this software and a database giving the relationship between the turn-to-turn capacitance variation delta-C and the reduction of insulation performances due to aging, it is possible to build a monitoring system able to produce an alert when the probability of failure becomes higher than a predetermined level.