Capacitive Coupling Research Articles

Tackling capacitive coupling in broad-band spectral electrical impedance tomography (sEIT) measurements by selecting electrode configurations

SUMMARY Electromagnetic (EM) coupling effects including both inductive and capacitive coupling have long been an essential problem in broad-band spectral electrical impedance tomography (sEIT) measurements at the field scale. Efforts have been made to remove EM coupling numerically or to suppress the effects by modified data acquisition strategies. For near-surface applications with relatively small survey layouts, inductive coupling can be well removed in the mHz to kHz frequency range. With the use of shielded coaxial cables and so-called active electrodes where the amplifiers are mounted at the electrodes, capacitive coupling in sEIT measurements can also be reduced. However, it remains challenging to cope with capacitive coupling between the cable shield and the ground, especially in resistive field conditions. The aim of this study is to deal with this type of capacitive coupling effect by identifying and filtering out sEIT measurements that are strongly affected by capacitive coupling. Based on a correction method for capacitive coupling proposed in a previous study, an approach to estimate measurement errors due to capacitive coupling is presented first. In the second step, a workflow was proposed to calculate the capacitive coupling strength (CCS) for each electrode configuration, which is defined as the ratio of the imaginary part of the impedance induced by capacitive coupling and the imaginary part of the impedance due to the subsurface electrical conductivity. In the final step, measurements with low CCS were selected for inversion and the results were compared with inversion results obtained using the previously developed correction approach. It was found that the filtering method based on CCS is more capable in tackling capacitive coupling compared to using model-based corrections. Spectrally consistent sEIT results up to kHz were obtained using the newly developed filtering method, which were not achieved in previous work using model-based correction.

Novel crosstalk circuit design for high density logic applications

As IC transistors scale down further, physical limitations are restricting performance growth. The contradiction between demands for computing capabilities and challenges in transistor downscaling is exacerbating. This paper proposed a crosstalk circuit design using interconnect coupling capacitance to improve the computing power of chips. Firstly, a valid model of coupling capacitance between metal interconnects is established based on analysis of the factors affecting coupling capacitance. Then, basic crosstalk gates including NAND and NOR are designed by adopting line crosstalk and sampling inverters. Furthermore, complex logic gates and combination circuits are implemented by using the basic crosstalk gates. For verification, a test chip based on line computing is fabricated in 65 nm CMOS technology and the core area is ∼0.019 mm2. The experimental results verified the correctness of the proposed crosstalk gate's logic. Compared with standard logic circuit, the crosstalk NAND or NOR gates reduce the area overhead by 10.6 % and also enhance the circuit's capability of anti-reverse engineering.

Wireless Power Transfer: A simulation-focused exploration

Wireless power transfer (WPT) is leading a technological revolution, redefining how we transmit electrical energy without the usage of cables or connectors. This exploration peeks into various WPT systems, each offering unique benefits and applications. From magnetic inductive coupling for nearby charging to resonant inductive coupling for power transfer across longer distances, and from capacitive coupling for low-power needs to magnetic resonance coupling for mid-range transmission, this paper presents an introduction to the world of WPT. Through simulations in MATLAB and Simulink, we gain insights into various applications like consumer electronics, healthcare, automotive, and more. Looking ahead, we foresee a future where WPT uses sustainable energy practices and creates entirely wireless environments.

A novel charge reconstruction algorithm applied to the HERD prototype silicon charge detector

The High Energy Cosmic-Radiation Detection (HERD) facility is a space astronomy and particle astrophysics experiment planned to be installed on the China Space Station. HERD can detect high-energy cosmic rays ranging from GeV to PeV and high-energy gamma rays. The silicon charge detector (SCD) is one of the subdetectors of HERD, measuring the charge and trajectory of incident ions. An ion beam test of the SCD prototype was conducted at CERN in 2022. A novel charge reconstruction algorithm based on the capacitive coupling was developed to study the charge resolution of the SCD prototype, and compared with the classical reconstruction algorithm.

Design of Capacitive Power Transfer System with Small Coupling Capacitance for Wireless Power Transfer

Wireless power transfer systems play an important role in the application of modern power supply technology. Wireless charging has been widely used in portable devices such as smartphones, laptops, and even some medical devices. Higher system efficiency can be achieved while reducing costs. This article describes the design of a capacitive power transfer (CPT) system using the Class-E amplifier method. When the capacitance of the coupling plate is small, the operation of Class-E amplifiers under Zero-Voltage-Switching (ZVS) conditions is very sensitive to their circuit parameters. By adding an additional capacitor to the Class-E amplifier, the coupling capacitance can be increased, resulting in better circuit performance. The high efficiency of the Class-E amplifier is verified by simulation and experimental results.

Giant magnetoimpedance effect and spin accumulation in conjugated polymeric networks with inhomogeneity

The magnetoimpedance effect allows us to estimate the extent of spin dependent scattering in disordered solids. The change in impedance with respect to applied magnetic field manifests through local change in permeability on the surface and it amplifies at defect sites. The local electrical inhomogeneities are expected to aid this effect through spin dependent scattering. The organic conjugated electrical networks provide scope for producing such inhomogeneities formed by path defects and protonic charge accumulation leading to spin dependent scattering. This hypothesis is investigated in the present work taking polyaniline as a prototype network. The electrical inhomogeneities in the network were controlled by selective oxidation and aging in polyaniline. The Giant Magnetoimpedance (GMI) was observed in the electrically inhomogeneous network with the change in electrical impedance of the order of 50%–60% for lower frequencies with prominent capacitive coupling and a change of the order of 200% at higher frequencies with prominent inductive coupling with the application of magnetic field. However, no spin accumulation was observed in the insulating networks formed by a modified oxidative process. This study is expected to serve as a tool to develop frequency selective spin accumulation based magnetic field sensors and oscillator networks.

Analysis of a capacitance tomography system for object detection and localization

Abstract To ensure safe human-robot cooperation, it is necessary not only to measure the force exerted during contact, but also to monitor an approaching action. This would allow avoiding any unintentional contact through evasive maneuvers and thus prevent possible injuries. In our contribution we analyze a localization system based on capacitance tomography where an approaching object constitutes an electrode of a multi-electrode capacitance. The system processes measured voltages made on the surface of a conductive layer. From this, the location of the capacitive coupling between the object and the layer can be reconstructed, and the position of the object can be estimated. The system’s performance is further analyzed using the Neyman–Pearson detector. To define the performance of the system, for object detection only, the influence of object distance, object area, and number of measurements used on the probability of detection is examined.

Development of a low-power SAR ADC for analog front-end readout circuit of hydrophones

A low-power 16 bit 250KSa/s successive approximation analog-to-digital converter (SAR ADC) is designed. The capacitor array consists of a 2-segment sub-capacitor array and high sampling makes the coupling capacitance a unit capacitance, solving the problem of fractional capacitance mismatch. The power consumption is reduced by introducing a common-mode voltage during the switching process of the capacitor array. The circuit uses a 4-stage pre-amplifier and adds a dynamically latched comparator using output misalignment calibration to ensure high accuracy resolution. Simulated in DB Hitek 0.18 μm process, the Fast Fourier Transform(FFT) simulation results for 4096 points show that the signal-to-noise distortion ratio (SNDR) of the ADC can reach 90.2 dB and the effective number of bits (ENOB) can reach 14.69 bit. The average power consumption is 2.507mW at a supply voltage of 5 V, and this holds significant significance for the long-term deep-sea detection capabilities of sonar systems.

Research on Non-Invasive Voltage Measurement Method Based on Impedance Adaptation

Transformer-based contact voltage measurement requires electrically charged installation during use. Moreover, there are problems with large sizes and restricted installation locations. The current non-contact voltage measurement technology is based on the principle of capacitive coupling in measurement. The capacitance between the probe and the wire is affected by the diameter of the wire and the insulation material. This results in an unstable sensor gain relationship, which leads to low measurement accuracy. This paper proposes a non-contact multi-wire adaptive voltage measurement method, and self-calibration of the sensor gain is achieved through practical measurements. First, the basic principle of capacitively coupled voltage measurement is introduced, from which the existing problems are condensed. An impedance-based adaptive method is proposed, based on which a new sensor probe is developed. The accuracy test reveals that the maximum relative error of voltage amplitude is 0.89 percent, the relative error of phase is 0.38%, and the relative phase error is within 1 degree for a specified voltage range (100 V-300V). The scenario adaptability test shows that the maximum relative error is 1.7% when performing tests on different types of lines. This sensor has the advantages of compactness, convenience, low cost, and high practicality.

Generative-Adversarial-Network-Based Image Reconstruction for the Capacitively Coupled Electrical Impedance Tomography of Stroke.

This study investigated the potential of machine-learning-based stroke image reconstruction in capacitively coupled electrical impedance tomography. The quality of brain images reconstructed using the adversarial neural network (cGAN) was examined. The big data required for supervised network training were generated using a two-dimensional numerical simulation. The phantom of an axial cross-section of the head without and with impact lesions was an average of a three-centimeter-thick layer corresponding to the height of the sensing electrodes. Stroke was modeled using regions with characteristic electrical parameters for tissues with reduced perfusion. The head phantom included skin, skull bone, white matter, gray matter, and cerebrospinal fluid. The coupling capacitance was taken into account in the 16-electrode capacitive sensor model. A dedicated ECTsim toolkit for Matlab was used to solve the forward problem and simulate measurements. A conditional generative adversarial network (cGAN) was trained using a numerically generated dataset containing samples corresponding to healthy patients and patients affected by either hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke. The validation showed that the quality of images obtained using supervised learning and cGAN was promising. It is possible to visually distinguish when the image corresponds to the patient affected by stroke, and changes caused by hemorrhagic stroke are the most visible. The continuation of work towards image reconstruction for measurements of physical phantoms is justified.

A miniaturized low-loss absorptive bandpass filter using IPD technology

In this article, a highly miniaturized absorptive bandpass filter based on a novel topology is presented. The filter topology utilizes a resistor-loaded network to achieve absorptive characteristics while additional capacitive coupling between series resonators is introduced to enhance selectivity. The proposed filter with a center frequency of 2.5 GHz and a 3-dB bandwidth of 2800 MHz is implemented using a GaAs integrated passive device (IPD) technology, exhibiting a small die size (0.7 mm×1.13 mm), low loss in-band insertion loss (0.9 dB), high out-of-band rejection (8.8f0¿25 dB), and a wide low-reflection frequency range. The measurement results show good agreement with the simulations. These features show promising applications in highly integrated RF systems.

Enhanced BSA Detection Precision: Leveraging High-Performance Dual-Gate Ion-Sensitive Field-Effect-Transistor Scheme and Surface-Treated Sensing Membranes.

Bovine serum albumin (BSA) is commonly incorporated in vaccines to improve stability. However, owing to potential allergic reactions in humans, the World Health Organization (WHO) mandates strict adherence to a BSA limit (≤50 ng/vaccine). BSA detection with conventional techniques is time-consuming and requires specialized equipment. Efficient alternatives such as the ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET), despite rapid detection, affordability, and portability, do not detect BSA at low concentrations because of inherent sensitivity limitations. This study proposes a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate-based dual-gate (DG) ISFET platform to overcome these limitations. The capacitive coupling DG structure significantly enhances sensitivity without requiring external circuits, owing to its inherent amplification effect. The extended-gate (EG) structure separates the transducer unit for electrical signal processing from the sensing unit for biological detection, preventing chemical damage to the transducer, accommodating a variety of biological analytes, and affording easy replaceability. Vapor-phase surface treatment with (3-Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) and the incorporation of a SnO2 sensing membrane ensure high BSA detection efficiency and sensitivity (144.19 mV/log [BSA]). This DG-FET-based biosensor possesses a simple structure and detects BSA at low concentrations rapidly. Envisioned as an effective on-site diagnostic tool for various analytes including BSA, this platform addresses prior limitations in biosensing and shows promise for practical applications.

Optimize Purcell filter design for reducing influence of fabrication variation

To protect superconducting qubits and enable rapid readout, optimally designed Purcell filters are essential. To suppress the off-resonant driving of untargeted readout resonators, individual Purcell filters are used for each readout resonator. However, achieving consistent frequency between a readout resonator and a Purcell filter is a significant challenge. A systematic computational analysis is conducted to investigate how fabrication variation affects filter performance, through focusing on the coupling capacitor structure and coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission line specifications. The results indicate that the T-type enclosing capacitor (EC), which exhibits lower structural sensitivity, is more advantageous for achieving target capacitance than the C-type EC and the interdigital capacitor (IDC). By utilizing a large-sized CPW with the T-type EC structure, fluctuations in the effective coupling strength can be reduced to 10%, given typical micro-nanofabrication variances. The numerical simulations presented in this work minimize the influence of fabrication deviations, thereby significantly improving the reliability of Purcell filter designs.

Simplified decoupling simulation study of non‐contact voltage measurement in distribution station area

AbstractThe coupling capacitance between the line and the transducer cannot be ignored when making non‐contact voltage measurements on low‐voltage three‐phase power lines. This leads to an increase in the number of unknown capacitances, and the number of correlatable response voltage equations is less than the number of unknown coupling capacitances. In this paper, a simplified decoupling method is proposed based on the characteristics of triangular three‐phase lines erected in distribution areas. Firstly, the equivalent circuit measured by the voltage sensing mechanism during three‐phase operation is established, and the three‐phase line response voltage equation is derived. Secondly, this paper proposes a three‐phase line response voltage decoupling algorithm after designing the decoupling matrix. Then, this paper uses the least squares method to solve the coefficients in the equations. Finally, the three‐phase voltage fluctuations of the actual low‐voltage stations are simulated by simulation. The measured sensor voltage values are substituted into the algorithm to invert and calculate the three‐phase line voltage. The three‐phase phase error is less than 2°. The amplitude error is less than 1.77%. The experiment verifies the stability and accuracy of the proposed decoupling method.

A New Smart Grid Hybrid DC–DC Converter with Improved Voltage Gain and Synchronized Multiple Outputs

This paper introduces a new hybrid DC–DC converter with enhanced voltage gain and synchronized multiple output capabilities, specifically tailored for smart grid applications. The proposed converter is based on the integration of non-isolated Zeta and Mahafzah converters, comprising a single controlled switch, two diodes, three inductors, and two coupling capacitors. The primary objective of this novel hybrid converter is to improve voltage gain as compared to conventional Zeta and Mahafzah topologies. By achieving higher voltage gain at lower duty cycles, the converter effectively reduces voltage stress on semiconductor switches and output diodes, thereby enhancing overall performance and reliability. A comprehensive examination of the hybrid converter’s operating principle is presented, along with detailed calculations of duty cycle and switching losses. The paper also explores the converter’s application in smart grids, specifically in the context of renewable energy systems and electric vehicles. Two distinct scenarios are analyzed to evaluate the converter’s efficacy. Firstly, the converter is assessed as a DC–DC converter for renewable energy systems, highlighting its relevance in sustainable energy applications. Secondly, the converter is evaluated as an electric vehicle adapter, showcasing its potential in the transportation sector. To validate the converter’s performance, extensive simulations are carried out using MATLAB/SIMULINK with parameters set at 25 kW, 200 V, and 130 A. The simulation results demonstrate the converter’s ability to efficiently supply multiple loads with opposing energy flows, making it a promising technology for optimized grid management and energy distribution. Moreover, the paper investigates the total harmonic distortion (THD) of the grid current, focusing on its impact in smart grid environments. Notably, the new hybrid converter topology achieves a THD of 21.11% for the grid current, indicating its ability to effectively mitigate harmonics and improve power quality. Overall, this research introduces a cutting-edge hybrid DC–DC converter that enhances voltage gain and synchronizes multiple outputs, specifically catering to the requirements of smart grid applications. The findings underscore the converter’s potential to significantly contribute to the advancement of efficient and resilient power conversion technologies for smart grids, enabling seamless integration of renewable energy systems and electric vehicles into the grid.

A light Darwin implementation of Maxwell’s equations to quantify resistive, inductive, and capacitive couplings in windings

High operating frequency is an enabler of high key performance indicators, such as increased power density, in electrical machines. The latter enhances the cross-coupling of resistive–inductive–capacitive phenomena in windings, which may lead to significant loss in performance and reliability. The full-wave Maxwell’s equations can be employed to characterize this coupling. To address the frequency instability that arises as a result, a simplification known as the Darwin formulation can be employed, where the wave propagation effects are neglected. Still, this modification is prone to ill-conditioned systems that necessitate intricate pre-conditioning and gauging steps. To overcome these limitations, a fast 2D formulation is derived, which preserves the current continuity conservation along the model depth. This implementation is validated experimentally on a laboratory-scale medium-frequency transformer. The computed impedances for the open- and short-circuit modes of the transformer are validated using measurements and compared with the multi-conductor transmission line model that is widely adopted for the analysis mentioned above. The developed formulation demonstrates a high accuracy and outstanding frequency stability in a wide frequency range, becoming an efficient and computationally light method to investigate the interconnected resistive, inductive, and capacitive effects in windings.

2–26.5 GHz GaN ultra‐wideband amplifier with over 2 W output power

AbstractA 2–26.5GHz broadband amplifier monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) based on the 0.15 μm GaN high electron mobility transistor process has been developed. The broadband amplifier adopts a two‐stage distributed amplifier cascade structure, which improves the gain of the broadband amplifier. Further, the capacitive coupling is used to improve the gain bandwidth product of the power amplifier. To improve the output return loss of the wideband amplifier, a tuning stub is introduced at the output of the circuit. The on‐wafer measurement results show that the amplifier has a gain greater than 18 dB, gain flatness less than ±1.4 dB, and saturated output power >35 dBm with a >13% power added efficiency in the whole band.

Design of a Capacitive Coupler for Underwater Wireless Power Transfer Focused on the Landing Direction of a Drone

Design of a Capacitive Coupler for Underwater Wireless Power Transfer Focused on the Landing Direction of a Drone

A broadband transparent antenna applied in indoor mobile communication system

AbstractThis paper proposes a broadband optical transparent antenna using a transparent conductor film on a transparent polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate. The planar wide‐slot antenna coupling fed by microstrip has a wide impedance bandwidth, so it is selected to design the transparent antenna. The upper surface of the PET substrate is a microstrip line with a fork‐shaped tuning branch, and the lower surface is a wide slot. They were made of transparent conductor film. Finally, a new capacitive coupling method is used to feed the transparent antenna. The transparent conductor film used in the antenna is metal mesh, which was developed by 3M company. The metal mesh with an open area greater than 80% to achieve high transmittance. The measured results show that the impedance bandwidth is 177% (0.30–5.0 GHz), and the gain of the antenna varies from 5.06 to 7.8 dBi over the entire frequency band. Therefore, it can be well applied to the current indoor mobile communication system.

Design of Proton Exchange Membrane Hydrogen Fuel Cell Control System Based on Response Speed and Uncertainty Characteristics

In an effort to settle the issue of poor control accuracy caused by external interference (such as environment and load changes) in the control process of hostage switch film fuel cell, a PEMFC control channel design method based on response speed and uncertainty characteristics was proposed in this study. The channel structure model and parameter model of PEMFC operate channel are established, and its response speed and uncertainty characteristics are analyzed. The proportional integral-differential (PID) operate method is used to obtain the signal model of the current vector data under the optimal operate state, and the AC coupling of the capacitor is used to suppress the loss. The simulation results show that this method can improve the stability and convergence of PEMFC, effectively correct the error, and the operate accuracy reaches 99%.