Transmission Line Structure Research Articles

A novel ultra-wideband end-fire antenna based on spoof surface plasma polaritons

Abstract A novel ultra-wideband end-shot antenna based on artificial surface-isolated excitations (SSPP) is designed. The antenna adopts a coplanar waveguide structure and introduces an SSPP transmission line consisting of a symmetric exponential Gaussian curve reference ground and an elliptical aperture-type cell, which effectively improves the bandwidth of the SSPP antenna and realizes the high-frequency operating characteristics of this antenna. In addition, the design combines the asymmetric structure of the SSPP transmission line and the guided branch structure to enhance the directivity of the antenna. The measured results of the antenna show that the antenna operates in the bandwidth range of 21.5–34.0 GHz, and the average gain of the antenna in the whole operating bandwidth range reaches 9.4 dBi, and the average radiation efficiency is 92.6 %, which can be better applied in the field of high-frequency communication.

Design of a broadband high-efficiency power amplifier based on a rectangular double transmission line structure

Abstract This paper presents a design methodology for a broadband high-efficiency power amplifier (PA). The large available impedance space of the extended continuous Class-GF mode is employed. A novel output matching network of the PA consisting of a rectangular double transmission line structure is proposed to meet impedance requirements. To validate the effectiveness of this structure, a high-efficiency PA operating in 0.8–3.0 GHz is designed using a CGH40010F GaN transistor. The measured results demonstrate that the drain efficiency falls within the range of 63.2%–71.9%, the output power varies from 40.2 to 42.2 dBm, and the gain ranges from 9.4 to 11.3 dB within the frequency band of 0.8–3 GHz. The realized PA exhibits an extremely competitive relative bandwidth of 115.8%.

Inverse design of ultrawideband one-dimensional metamaterial photonic filters using Riccati equation constrained gradient descent

One-dimensional photonic wave devices exhibit a pivotal role in wave engineering. Despite their relative simplicity, designing 1D wave devices that implement complex functionalities over a broad frequency range is challenging and requires careful sculpting and multiple optimizations. This paper theoretically and experimentally demonstrates a new inverse design paradigm to achieve a desired broadband frequency response efficiently. Specifically, we calculate the required dielectric profile along the device using constrained gradient descent optimization to minimize the L2 norm between the desired and actual responses. In each optimization step, we avoid the need to solve the complete set of Maxwell equations by using Riccati’s equation or its discrete ancestor as the optimization constraint for calculating the local reflection coefficient. Using this approach, we design several unorthodox filters, such as dual-band narrowband bandpass filters located within a wideband bandstop and ultrawideband first and second-order differentiators. The technique produces excellent results for ultrawideband frequency ranges, with very low computational complexity and, remarkably, with a single trivial guess for the optimization starting point. We experimentally implemented the two differentiator designs in radio frequencies using electronic circuit elements that comprise a metamaterial transmission line structure.

Transmission line tower inclination measurement method based on three-dimensional laser scanning and inter frame difference

Abstract The purpose of this study is to propose a method based on three-dimensional laser scanning and frame difference technology to measure the inclination of transmission line towers, so as to realize accurate monitoring of transmission line structure. Firstly, the multi-scale Retinex algorithm is used to enhance and preprocess the transmission line tower image to improve the image quality. Secondly, the method of frame difference and background difference is combined to detect and identify the inclined tower. Finally, the point cloud data of inclined tower is obtained by using three-dimensional laser scanning technology, and the inclination of transmission line tower is calculated by coordinates. The experimental results show that this method has high accuracy and reliability, with an error of less than 0.15 × 10−5 and an inclination of less than 0.17°. It is proved that this method can improve the monitoring efficiency of transmission lines, has good effects in engineering practice, and can provide effective means for the safe operation of transmission line structures.

Characterization of Embedded and Thinned RF Chips

This work studies the effect of thinning down chips with transmission line structures for flexible embedding technology. Test chips with 90 Ω grounded coplanar waveguide (GCPW) transmission lines have been designed and manufactured to characterize the high-frequency performance before and after embedding in sheet molding compound (SMC), and thinning down from 300 μm to 20 μm. Molding first technology enables single-die or multiple-die thinning with the embedding material while being held in the exact position, where the subsequent fanout copper (Cu) redistribution layer (RDL) structuring realizes the direct contacts to the embedded chip, followed by semiadditive manufacturing of traces. The embedded and thinned chips are characterized by S-parameter measurements in the frequency range from 20 MHz to 65 GHz using a vector network analyzer (VNA). The results show the feasibility of the examined embedding and thinning processes which are suitable for millimeter wave (mmWave) components as shown by the example of a G-CPW transmission line without degrading its RF performance in terms of characteristic impedance and attenuation.

New energy transmission line fault location method based on Pearson correlation coefficient

The access of new energy power source makes the traditional transmission line structure become complex, and due to the influence of power electronic device control strategy, the fault characteristics have been fundamentally changed, resulting in the traditional transmission line fault localization method can not be applied to the new energy sending line. To address the above problems, this paper analyzes the transient current characteristics of different power supply faults, and learns that there are obvious differences in the transient currents on both sides of the fault point inside and outside the transmission line area, and then proposes a new energy transmission line fault localization method based on the Pearson correlation coefficient, which determines the fault location by calculating the correlation coefficients of the fault waveforms of the neighboring monitoring points. Finally, comparative experiments are carried out under different fault types and fault locations to further verify the applicability of the proposed method.

A Singly Curved Conformal Phased Array with Integrated Particles-Based CRLH Phase Shifters

In this paper, a four unit cell micron-sized magnetic particles embedded composite right/left-handed (CRLH) transmission line metamaterial phase shifter is proposed. The variable phases are achieved by activating the micron-sized magnetic particles along the length of stub transmission lines of the CRLH transmission line structure. This causes to effectively change the inductance of stub transmission lines, which changes the phase of the RF signal. These structures can be activated in a symmetric or asymmetrical manner to obtain wide range of phase shifts. A prototype of cascaded four unit cell CRLH transmission line phase shifter with embedded silver-coated ferrites (magnetic particles) is designed, fabricated and tested for phase shifters applications. The measured phase response of the proposed phase shifter is in close agreement with the simulated phase response. Next, for the performance analysis of proposed phase shifter, a 1 × 4 conformal curved-shaped phased array operating at 5.8 GHz is fed with the four unit cell cascaded phase shifter in CST full-wave simulator. The conformal phased array with proposed integrated phase shifters was simulated for broadside pattern correction and main beam scanning at 20 degree on curved-shaped surface with different bend angles. The radiation pattern results obtained with the proposed integrated phase shifters are in close agreement with those obtained with direct excitation of the array.

Study on wind-induced fatigue performance of large-span transmission tower-line system considering the combined distribution probability of wind direction and speed

To accurately evaluate the fatigue life of transmission line structures under wind loads, this study proposes a multivariate member fatigue damage analysis method for investigating the wind-induced fatigue performance of a large-span transmission tower-line with full consideration of the combined distribution effects of wind direction and speed in the actual wind field. With the background of in-service transmission line project, a refined finite element model of the large-span transmission tower-line system is established, and the wind load is simulated and generated based on the linear filtering method. According to the meteorological statistics of the project site in the past 50 years, the wind-induced fatigue sensitivity analysis of the tower-line system is performed through considering the combined distribution probability of wind direction and speed. The wind-induced fatigue damage of the tower-line system is calculated based on the rain-fall counting method and Miner's fatigue cumulative damage theory, and its wind-induced fatigue life is further analyzed. The analysis results show that the sensitive members of the tower-line system are mainly distributed in the 2nd, 6th, 8th and 9th segments by combining the effects of wind attack angle and wind speed. The fatigue damage of the sensitive members decreases gradually with the increase of wind attack angle (0° wind attack angle damage is the largest), and the effect of wind speed on the vertical main member is larger than that of the crossarm upper chord member. Moreover, the fatigue damage at the end of the member is significantly larger than that in the center, and even at small wind speeds, the member's end can produce a stress amplitude larger than the fatigue cut-off limit. The fatigue life of crossarm upper chord members is 72.89 years, and that of the vertical main member is 77.60 years. In particular, the vertical main member should be employed as the control member for the structural fatigue life when considering extreme wind loads.

Implementation of a Wideband Microwave Filter Design with Dual Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Mitigation for Modern Wireless Communication Systems with Low Insertion Loss and High Selectivity.

By leveraging the advantages of the uniform transmission line, this manuscript presents a broadband high-selectivity filter range starting from 2.5 GHz to 16.8 GHz, utilizing a simple uniform transmission line structure loaded with three-quarter-wavelength stubs. The proposed UWB filter is studied using the ABCD network parameter method. After that, a shorted T-shaped stub-loaded resonator is coupled with the transmission line of the UWB filter to obtain dual-notch features at 4.4 GHz (for long distance wireless ISPs (WISPs), 4G/5G operator for LTE backhaul) and 7.5 GHz (for X-band downlink communication). The overall footprint is specified as 22.5 mm × 12 mm or 1.12 λg × 0.6 λg, where λg represents the wavelength at the central frequency. The operating principle of such a filter is explained, and its controllable broadband response, as well as controllable stopband frequencies, are optimized to show some of the attractive features of the new scheme, such as a super wideband response of about a 148.18% fractional bandwidth; an out-of-band performance up to 25 GHz; five single-resonator transmission poles filtering behaviour at different frequencies, with highly reduced radiation losses greater than 10 dB; a simple topology; a flat group delay; a low insertion loss of 0.4 dB; and high selectivity. Additionally, the filter is fabricated and evaluated, and the results show a good match for experimental validation purposes.

Insulation design of -800 kV gas insulation transmission line for negative ion based neutral beam injector

The high-voltage transmission line carries electricity, water, and gas for the high-potential components in the NNBI system. High voltage transmission lines used in -800 kV acceleration grade NNBI systems require the transmission of multiple high voltages of different voltage levels. Its insulation design not only guarantees the reliability of insulation but also requires a small occupation volume. The FEA method is used for insulation design of multi-conductor transmission lines. In the design of -800 kV transmission line, coaxial and non-coaxial structures are mainly considered. In the case of SF6 filling space, conductor radius and conductor position are the main factors affecting insulation strength. Both structures can make its insulation strength meet the requirements. However, it is found that the coaxial transmission line is more compact and concise when it meets the insulation requirements, but it is difficult to install and maintain.

High-frequency signal transmission in a coplanar waveguide structure with different surface finishes

Continuous pursuits for higher data rate, larger network capacity, low-latency communication, and better energy efficiency have motivated the development of the fifth generation (5 G) mobile communication technologies in recent years. Under a high-frequency transmission, the alternating electric current (AC) tends to distribute to the outer of a conductor due to the so-called “skin effect”; therefore, the surface coatings of Cu interconnect becomes an indispensable factor of the signal transmission characteristics. The focus of this study is to deeply probe into the effect of surface coatings on the high-frequency signal transmission (1–100 GHz) of Cu interconnects. We investigated six different surface finishes over a coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission line structure, including immersion tin (ImSn), immersion silver (ImAg), immersion gold (IG), electroless palladium/immersion gold (EPIG), immersion gold/electroless palladium/immersion gold (IGEPIG), and ultrathin-Ni(P)-type ENEPIG. The high-frequency signal performance of the CPW transmission line was analyzed through the finite element analysis (FEA) method by using a 3D electromagnetic simulation software. Furthermore, experimental measurements were conducted by using a vector network analyzer (VNA) to characterize the signal loss arising from different surface finishes, so as to validate the numerical simulation results. The FEA and VNA results showed that a noticeable current redistribution might be induced by a high conductivity/permeability of surface coating(s), i.e., ImSn and ultrathin-Ni(P)-type ENEPIG, which significantly increases the signal insertion loss at high frequencies. Thus, an appropriate surface coating over Cu interconnects was necessary for enhancing the high-frequency signal transmission performance.

Contact Failure Characteristic Test and Overheating Analysis of UHV GIL Electrical Connection Structure

As the key component of the conductor of the gas-insulated power transmission equipment, the electrical connection structure bears high current, high stress and high temperature for a long time. Electrical contact failures become an important issue, while it’s failure characteristics and mechanisms are ambiguous so far. In this paper, based on complex electrical connection structures of gas-insulated transmission line (GIL), equivalent tests were conducted on the contact failure characteristics of such structure. Result shows that poor contact of the such electrical connection structure will cause two types of situations: micro-gap discharge and contact overheating. The causes of both are different. Firstly, micro slip is a kind of cause of discharge faults despite the separation gap is small. The current transfer area (b) of such contact structure is the main position where the arc starts. The contact stability at that location should be fully considered in the layout of such electrical connection structure. Secondly, combined with the surface morphology and element distribution, the mechanism of contact discharge and the source of metal particles are further explained by the occurrence of coating peeling and material transfer behavior. Finally, the difference in contact state is the main reason for a few contacts overheating. There is a significant temperature difference between contacts in different contact state. The temperature rises nonlinearly with the increase of the current under the condition of uneven current carrying. The above research can provide a practical basis for fault analysis and prevention of such electric contact structures in the UHV gas-insulated power transmission equipment.

Engineering the thin film characteristics for optimal performance of superconducting kinetic inductance amplifiers using a rigorous modelling technique.

Background: Kinetic Inductance Travelling Wave Parametric Amplifiers (KITWPAs) are a variant of superconducting amplifier that can potentially achieve high gain with quantum-limited noise performance over broad bandwidth, which is important for many ultra-sensitive experiments. In this paper, we present a novel modelling technique that can better capture the electromagnetic behaviour of a KITWPA without the translation symmetry assumption, allowing us to flexibly explore the use of more complex transmission line structures and better predict their performance. Methods: In order to design a KITWPA with optimal performance, we investigate the use of different superconducting thin film materials, and compare their pros and cons in forming a high-gain low-loss medium feasible for amplification. We establish that if the film thickness can be controlled precisely, the material used has less impact on the performance of the device, as long as it is topologically defect-free and operating within its superconducting regime. With this insight, we propose the use of Titanium Nitride (TiN) film for our KITWPA as its critical temperature can be easily altered to suit our applications. We further investigate the topological effect of different commonly used superconducting transmission line structures with the TiN film, including the effect of various non-conducting materials required to form the amplifier. Results: Both of these comprehensive studies led us to two configurations of the KITWPA: 1) A low-loss 100 nm thick TiN coplanar waveguide amplifier, and 2) A compact 50 nm TiN inverted microstrip amplifier. We utilise the novel modelling technique described in the first part of the paper to explore and investigate the optimal design and operational setup required to achieve high gain with the broadest bandwidth for both KITWPAs, including the effect of loss. Conclusions: Finally, we conclude the paper with the actual layout and the predicted gain-bandwidth product of our KITWPAs.

Lightning Current Measurement Form and Arrangement Scheme of Transmission Line Based on Point-Type Optical Current Transducer.

Lightning strikes are the main cause of transmission line faults, and the accurate lightning current number is an important basis to guide scientific lightning protection. The use of sensors with excellent sensing performance to carry out lightning current monitoring on transmission lines is beneficial to the accumulation of key parameters of original lightning strikes, so it is necessary to study the lightning current measurement structure of transmission lines. In this paper, an optical current-sensing unit is used to monitor the lightning current on transmission lines. A measuring structure that can monitor key parameters of the lightning current under different types of lightning strikes is proposed. First, establish the lightning current return channel model and the equivalent model of the tower, study the influence of the transmission tower on the current in the lightning channel, and analyze the direct measurement position of the lightning current on the tower; establish the multi-wave impedance model of the tower, and build a multi-base tower. The simulation model of the transmission system analyzes the transmission characteristics of the lightning current on the transmission line and the lightning protection line in the case of different types of faults; from the perspective of the measurement of key parameters of the lightning current, the lightning current measurement structure of the transmission system is constructed to analyze different lightning strikes. The measurement effect of each monitoring position in the case of a lightning strike and the waveform characteristics of the fault current in the case of insulator flashover are analyzed.

Multi Frequency Controllable In-Band Suppressions in a Broad Bandwidth Microstrip Filter Design for 5G Wi-Fi and Satellite Communication Systems Utilizing a Quad-Mode Stub-Loaded Resonator

The key elements used for receiving and processing signals in communication systems are the bandpass filters. Initially, a common operating mechanism was applied for the design of broadband filters, i.e., by cascading low-pass filters or high-pass filters using multiple line resonators with length quarter-half- or full-wavelength with central frequency, but using these approaches, the design topology becomes expensive and complex. The above mechanisms can be possibly overcome using a planar microstrip transmission line structure due to its simple design fabrication procedure and low cost. So, pointing out the above problems in bandpass filters such as low-cost, low insertion loss, and good out-of-band performance, this article presents a broadband filter with multifrequency suppression capability at 4.9 GHz, 8.3 GHz, and 11.5 GHz using a T-shaped shorted stub-loaded resonator with a central square ring coupled to the basic broadband filter. Initially, the C-shaped resonator is utilized for the formation of a stopband at 8.3 GHz for a satellite communication system, and then a shorted square ring resonator is added to the existing C-shaped structure for the realization of two more stopbands at 4.9 GHz and 11.5 GHz for 5G (WLAN 802.11j) communication, respectively. The overall circuit area covered with the proposed filter is 0.52 λg × 0.32 λg (λg is the wavelength of the feed lines at frequency 4.9 GHz). All the loaded stubs are folded in order to save the circuit area, which is an important requirement of next-generation wireless communication systems. The proposed filter has been analyzed using a well-known transmission line theory, even–odd-mode, and simulated with the 3D software HFSS. After the parametric analysis, some attractive features were obtained, i.e., compact structure, simple planar topology, low insertion losses of 0.4 dB over the entire band, good return loss greater than 10 dB, and independently controlled mutli stopbands, which make the proposed design unique and can be used in various wireless communication system applications. Finally, a Rogers RO-4350 substrate is selected for the fabrication of the prototype using an LPKF S63 ProtoLaser machine and then measured using a ZNB20 vector network analyzer for matching the simulated and measured results. After testing the prototype, a good agreement was found between the results.

On the design of miniaturized C-shaped antenna based on artificial transmission line loading technique

This article presents an effective miniaturized antenna based on an artificial transmission line loading approach. The proposed antenna is a compact C-shaped radiating element backed by defected ground plane structure and fed by a line transition structure. The antenna is modelled to operate at 2.4 GHz with −32.99 dB return loss and operates from 2.33 GHz to 2.52 GHz with 77.55% fractional bandwidth and a gain value of 2.1 dBi. Equivalent circuits are extracted using the transmission line modelling technique. Moreover, the design has an overall substrate dimension of (20 × 30 × 1.6) mm3, which is suitable for compact wireless devices. Here antenna miniaturization is carried out through patch and ground extensions along with artificial transmission line structures incorporated. The antenna is fabricated and the measured result is in good agreement with the calculated and simulated results. In addition, by transmission line loading in the proposed design, the radiator is configured to work at 2.4 and 3.7 GHz.

Analytical prediction of quasi-static responses of transmission lines under moving downbursts: A nonlinear model with linear approximation

Downbursts wind are believed to be responsible for most of weather-related transmission line failures worldwide. Based on a theoretical model of a hinged single-span transmission line structure under moving downbursts, this paper studies downburst -induced vibration of a multi-span transmission line-insulator system (MSTLIS). Firstly, a nonlinear analytical framework for quasi-static responses of the MSTLIS under moving downbursts is established, and linearized equations of the MSTLIS under moving downbursts with time-varying mean wind speeds are derived. Then, the influence line functions of the insulator tension and displacement of the MSTLIS are derived, based on which the quasi-static responses of the MSTLIS under fluctuating wind is calculated. A case study on a six-span transmission line-insulator subsystem is conducted. The proposed nonlinear analytical model and the approximate linearization approach is verified by finite element model (FEM) results. The proposed analytical framework with linear approximation is accurate and more efficient than FEM, and hence has a great potential for real application.

Shape Memory Alloy-Spring Pendulum for Vibration Suppression of Wind-Induced Transmission Tower-Line Systems

Wind-induced vibration suppression of transmission line structures is critical for structural reliability and serviceability. In this study, a shape memory alloy-spring pendulum (SMA-SP) is proposed for a wind-induced tower-line system to improve the reliability and serviceability of the control unit. A numerical calculation method of the transmission tower line structure coupled with the SMA-SP is established with special emphasis on the solid elements of the damper. Furthermore, the effectiveness and reliability of vibration suppression on wind-induced transmission line structures are evaluated and parametric analyses are conducted; the results reveal the influences of key parameters on the performance of SMA-SP and provide design recommendations for applications. In this study, it is demonstrated that the SMA-SP provides more stable control effects on the wind-induced vibration of transmission line structures than a conventional spring pendulum (SP), and the proposed numerical method effectively demonstrates the nonlinear mechanism of the damper. The parametric analyses show that SMA-SP exhibits low sensitivity levels to variations in the tuning frequency ratio and achieves optimal reduction effects after satisfying the internal resonance condition.

PSO-Algorithm-Assisted Design of Compact SSPP Transmission Line

This letter proposes a compact spoof surface plasmon polariton (SSPP) transmission line (TL) structure. The particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is utilized to numerically optimize the traditional rectangular groove SSPP structure. The SSPP unit cell is pixelated into 23 <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\times $ </tex-math></inline-formula> 9 pixels with a resolution of 0.2 mm, and the asymptotic frequency is reduced to 5.4 GHz through optimization. The developed SSPP TL exhibits a compact structure, and its electrical dimension is only about <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$0.842\lambda _{g} \times 0.28\lambda _{g}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> , where <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\lambda _{g}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> is the wavelength of the cutoff frequency. A prototype of the developed SSPP TL is fabricated and tested, and the experimental result agrees well with the simulated one. The proposed optimization approach is applicable to both single- and dual-conductor SSPP structures. The results are of great significance to the miniaturization of components and circuits based on SSPP.

Investigation of signal integrity of fuzz button connectors under different compression states

AbstractFuzz button connectors are extensively used in vertical interconnection for high‐density integrated circuits. This work studied the impact of fuzz buttons under different compression states on high‐frequency signal transmission using theoretical analysis and experimental testing. The resistance values for fuzz buttons with different heights in compression states were measured. The physical dimensions were obtained for sample fuzz buttons subjected to various compression states. The effects of long‐term compression of fuzz button on the resistance values and S parameters of the device under test (DUT) were analyzed. In addition, the high‐frequency parameters were measured for the DUT with fuzz buttons in various compression states. Both a three‐dimensional (3D) electromagnetic field model and an equivalent circuit model for the fuzz buttons under compression states were developed and the results of these two models show good agreement with experimental results. In the circuit model, a fuzz button connector with a three‐wire transmission line structure was modeled as a π impedance network, composed of equivalent inductances and capacitances. It was found that the proposed 3D electromagnetic field model and an equivalent circuit model can accurately predict the effect of fuzz buttons under different compression states on the signal transmission in the affected frequency band. However, the models cannot evaluate the communication performance of the whole system.