S-shaped Split Ring Resonators Research Articles

An Analysis of Split-Ring Resonators and Potential Barcode Application

This paper presents an analysis of various split-ring resonator (SRR) configurations coupled with coplanar waveguides (CPW). Three distinct resonant structures are presented, namely, the S-shaped split-ring resonator (S-SRR), the conventional split-ring resonator (SRR), and a pair of SRR. Among the examined resonant structures, it is observed that the S-SRR exhibits the smallest electrical size with the corresponding resonant frequency of 1.37 GHz, while the conventional SRR has the largest electrical size with the corresponding resonant frequency of 3.34 GHz. On the other hand, the resonant frequency of a dual SRR is 2.37 GHz. However, the transmission coefficient of a dual SRR is -11.43 dB, which is higher than S-SRR (-10.02 dB) and SRR (-8.18 dB). Furthermore, this study extends the analysis between a square dual SRR and a circular dual SRR with retained area. The square SRR demonstrates a lower resonance frequency (2.23 GHz) relative to its circular counterpart (2.37 GHz). The comparison also shows that the transmission coefficient of the square configuration is -13.88 dB, which is higher than its circular counterpart (-11.43 dB). The realization of a barcode application is achieved by loading multiple S-shaped split ring resonators (S-SRRs) with varying geometric parameters adjacently onto the transmission line. By individually rotating each of these S-SRRs, it becomes possible to alter the notch magnitude, thereby positioning it within a specific designated range corresponding to a particular code. In the case of a configuration involving rotations of (0°, 45°, 90°, 0°, 45°, 90°), this approach results in the creation of a barcode denoted as "100 010 000 100 011 000". This methodology enables the encoding of information in the form of distinctive resonant responses, providing a versatile and compact means of realizing barcode applications.

Near-field chipless-RFID tags with sequential bit reading implemented in plastic substrates

Chipless radiofrequency identification (chipless-RFID) systems based on near-field coupling between the tag and the reader and sequential bit reading, with tags implemented on plastic substrates, are presented in this paper. In the proposed system, the tag is a set of identical resonant elements (S-shaped split ring resonators – S-SRRs), inkjet-printed on a plastic substrate (PEN), forming a resonator chain. The presence or absence of resonant elements at predefined and equidistant positions in the chain determines the logic state ‘1’ and ‘0’, respectively, associated with each resonant element. The reader is a coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission line fed by a harmonic signal tuned to the resonance frequency of the resonant elements of the chain. Tag reading is achieved by displacing the chain of resonant elements above the CPW transmission line, in close proximity to it, so that near-field coupling between the CPW transmission line and the resonant elements of the tag results. By this means, the injected carrier signal is amplitude modulated, provided the transmission coefficient of the line varies with the presence or absence of resonant elements in the chain, and the identification (ID) code is contained in the envelope function. The functionality of the proposed system, with 10-bit tags occupying an area of 1.35 cm2 (corresponding to an information density of 7.4 bit/cm2), is demonstrated.

Microwave Encoders for Chipless RFID and Angular Velocity Sensors Based on S-Shaped Split Ring Resonators

In this paper, it is demonstrated that a chain of S-shaped split ring resonators (S-SRRs) etched on a dielectric substrate can modulate the amplitude of a carrier signal injected to a transmission line (a coplanar waveguide (CPW). To this end, the S-SRR chain must be transversally displaced above the CPW, in close proximity to it. By this means, the transmission coefficient of the line is modulated by the time-varying electromagnetic (inductive) coupling between the line and the S-SRRs of the chain, related to their relative motion. Based on this principle, two different applications can be envisaged: 1) angular velocity sensors and 2) near-field chipless radiofrequency identification (chipless-RFID) tags. In the former application, the S-SRR chain is circularly shaped and the S-SRRs are distributed uniformly along the perimeter of the rotor, at equidistant positions. By this means, the amplitude-modulated signal generated by rotor motion exhibits envelope peaks, whose distance is related to the angular velocity of the rotor. In the use of S-SRRs as microwave encoders for chipless RFID tags, not all the S-SRRs of the chain are present. Their presence or absence at the predefined (equidistant) positions is related to the logic state “1” or “0.” Tag reading is sequential, and it is achieved through tag motion (at constant velocity) above the reader, a CPW transmission line fed by a carrier signal. The ID code is contained in the envelope function of the resulting amplitude modulated signal, which can be obtained by means of an envelope detector. With the proposed approach, a high number of pulses in angular velocity sensors can be achieved (with direct impact on angle resolution and sensitivity to changes in instantaneous rotation speed). Moreover, chipless-RFID tags with unprecedented number of bits can be obtained. The proposed angular velocity sensors can be useful in space environments, whereas the chipless-RFID systems based on the proposed tags are useful in applications where reading range can be sacrificed in favor of high data capacity (large number of bits), e.g., security and authentication.

Multistate Multiresonator Spectral Signature Barcodes Implemented by Means of S-Shaped Split Ring Resonators (S-SRRs)

Spectral signature barcodes functional at the $S$ frequency band are presented in this paper. The barcodes are implemented by loading a coplanar waveguide transmission line by means of multiple S-shaped split ring resonators (S-SRRs), each one tuned to a different frequency. The main particularity of this paper is the fact that more than two logic states (i.e., three or four, depending on the implementation) are assigned to each resonant element. By this means, the total number of bits of the barcode (for a given number of resonators) is increased, as compared with previous approaches based on two logic states per resonator. This multistate functionality is achieved by rotating the S-SRRs. Such rotation modulates the line-to-resonator coupling intensity, and consequently the notch depth at the S-SRR fundamental resonance. Therefore, by considering three or four fixed rotation angles (or orientations) between the line axis and the S-SRR (for the tri- and four-state multiresonator barcodes, respectively), intermediate levels between the maximum and minimum attenuation are achieved. This multistate strategy only exploits a single frequency per resonant element (the fundamental one). Therefore, the data capacity per bandwidth are improved as compared with two-state-based barcodes or to multistate barcodes that use two frequencies per resonant element. As illustrative examples, two different four-state multiresonator barcodes with eight S-SRRs (providing $4^{8}= 65.536$ different codes, or 16 bits) and with nine S-SRRs (equivalent to 18 bits), occupying a spectral bandwidth of 1 GHz and less than 6.75 and 8.2 cm2, respectively, are designed, fabricated, and characterized.

High data density and capacity in chipless radiofrequency identification (chipless-RFID) tags based on double-chains of S-shaped split ring resonators (S-SRRs)

The data density per surface (DPS) is a figure of merit in chipless radiofrequency identification (chipless-RFID) tags. In this paper, it is demonstrated that chipless-RFID tags with high DPS can be implemented by using double-chains of S-shaped split ring resonators (S-SRRs). Tag reading is achieved by near-field coupling between the tag and the reader, a CPW transmission line fed by a harmonic signal tuned to the resonance frequency of the S-SRRs. By transversally displacing the tag over the CPW, the transmission coefficient of the line is modulated by tag motion. This effectively modulates the amplitude of the injected (carrier) signal at the output port of the line, and the identification (ID) code, determined by the presence or absence of S-SRRs at predefined and equidistant positions in the chains, is contained in the envelope function. The DPS is determined by S-SRR dimensions and by the distance between S-SRRs in the chains. However, by using two chains of S-SRRs, the number of bits per unit length that can be accommodated is very high. This chipless-RFID system is of special interest in applications where the reading distance can be sacrificed in favor of data capacity (e.g., security and authentication). Encoding of corporate documents, ballots, exams, etc., by directly printing the proposed tags on the item product to prevent counterfeiting is envisaged.

Design and Fabrication of a Novel Wideband DNG Metamaterial with the Absorber Application in Microwave X-Band

A novel metamaterial, which exhibits a wideband double negative behavior in X-band, is proposed, designed, and investigated in this paper. The metamaterial is composed of modified S-shaped split-ring resonators (S-SRR). The periodic structure is designed and simulated using CST MWs. Next, the experiments are carried out, and it is shown that the simulation and the experimental results agree well and the designed structure has a wide bandwidth in X-band. An absorber application of this metamaterial is also provided, and the structure can be used as an absorber with absorption rate of over 80% for the polarization angles between 0° and 40°.

Reconfigurable and Tunable S-Shaped Split-Ring Resonators and Application in Band-Notched UWB Antennas

This paper proposes a compact reconfigurable (bandstop/bandpass) and frequency-tunable structure based on S-shaped split-ring resonators (S-SRRs). It is known that an S-SRR coupled to a coplanar waveguide (CPW) provides a stopband in the transmission characteristic of the line. It is shown here that this behavior of the S-SRR can be switched between fundamental resonance and second harmonic response by introduction of a p-i-n diode in the center segment of the S-SRR. Alternatively, if the S-SRR is loaded with a varactor diode instead of a switch, the frequency of the stopband can be continuously tuned from the S-SRRs fundamental resonance frequency to its second harmonic. Furthermore, it is shown that if a pair of shunt p-i-n diodes are introduced across the slots of the host CPW, the structure can be reconfigured from a bandstop to a bandpass structure. Thus, the proposed resonator structure can be used as the building block of reconfigurable (bandstop/bandpass) filters with tunable operating frequency. Finally, to demonstrate a practical application of the proposed structure, an ultrawideband antenna with a tunable band notch is designed and experimentally validated.

Spectral signature barcodes based on S-shaped Split Ring Resonators (S-SRRs)

In this paper, it is shown that S-shaped split ring resonators (S-SRRs) are useful particles for the implementation of spectral signature (i.e., a class of radiofrequency) barcodes based on coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission lines loaded with such resonant elements. By virtue of its S shape, these resonators are electrically small. Hence S-SRRs are of interest for the miniaturization of the barcodes, since multiple resonators, each tuned at a different frequency, are used for encoding purposes. In particular, a 10-bit barcode occupying 1 GHz spectral bandwidth centered at 2.5 GHz, with dimensions of 9 cm2 , is presented in this paper.

Angular Displacement and Velocity Sensors Based on Coplanar Waveguides (CPWs) Loaded with S-Shaped Split Ring Resonators (S-SRR).

In this paper, angular displacement and angular velocity sensors based on coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission lines and S-shaped split ring resonators (S-SRRs) are presented. The sensor consists of two parts, namely a CPW and an S-SRR, both lying on parallel planes. By this means, line-to-resonator magnetic coupling arises, the coupling level being dependent on the line-to-resonator relative angular orientation. The line-to-resonator coupling level is the key parameter responsible for modulating the amplitude of the frequency response seen between the CPW ports in the vicinity of the S-SRR fundamental resonance frequency. Specifically, an amplitude notch that can be visualized in the transmission coefficient is changed by the coupling strength, and it is characterized as the sensing variable. Thus, the relative angular orientation between the two parts is measured, when the S-SRR is attached to a rotating object. It follows that the rotation angle and speed can be inferred either by measuring the frequency response of the S-SRR-loaded line, or the response amplitude at a fixed frequency in the vicinity of resonance. It is in addition shown that the angular velocity can be accurately determined from the time-domain response of a carrier time-harmonic signal tuned at the S-SRR resonance frequency. The main advantage of the proposed device is its small size directly related to the small electrical size of the S-SRR, which allows for the design of compact angular displacement and velocity sensors at low frequencies. Despite the small size of the fabricated proof-of-concept prototype (electrically small structures do not usually reject signals efficiently), it exhibits good linearity (on a logarithmic scale), sensitivity and dynamic range.

Coplanar Waveguides Loaded with S-Shaped Split-Ring Resonators: Modeling and Application to Compact Microwave Filters

This letter studies the transmission characteristics of coplanar waveguides (CPWs) loaded with single-layer S-shaped split-ring resonators (S-SRRs) for the first time. Two structures are analyzed: 1) a CPW simply loaded with an S-SRR, and 2) a CPW loaded with an S-SRR and a series gap. The former exhibits a stopband functionality related to the resonance of the S-SRR excited by the contra-directional magnetic fluxes through the two connected resonator loops; the latter is useful for the implementation of compact bandpass filters. In both cases, a lumped-element equivalent circuit model is proposed with an unequivocal physical interpretation of the circuit elements. These circuits are then validated by comparing the circuit response with extracted parameters to full-wave electromagnetic simulations. The last part of the letter illustrates application of the S-SRR/gap-loaded CPW unit cell to the design of a bandpass filter. The resulting filter is very compact and exhibits competitive performance.