Time-Domain Experimentation of NGD ActiveRC-Network Cell

Abstract

A theoretical and experimental investigation of low-pass negative group delay (NGD) topology is introduced. The NGD topology is composed of a low noise amplifier (LNA) and RC-parallel series mounted lumped network. The NGD cell theoretical characterization is elaborated. The NGD properties as NGD level, cut-off frequencies and central frequency are established. The synthesis formulas as function of the expected NGD level and gain are established. The NGD proof of concept using monolithic LNA LEE-9+ manufactured by mini-circuits are designed, simulated, fabricated, and measured. The simulated and measured frequency domain results are in good agreement with the circuit theory. As expected, low-pass NGD behavior is observed with −5 ns-NGD level over 32-MHz bandwidth. The low-pass NGD function meaning is illustrated by the advance of the output pulse signal leading and trailing edges compared to the input ones.