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A compact semi-lumped tunable complex-impedance transformer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 September 2009

Anne-Laure Perrier ,
Jean-Marc Duchamp ,
Olivier Exshaw ,
Robert Harrison  and
Philippe Ferrari
Anne-Laure Perrier*
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Microwaves and Characterization (LAHC), University of Savoie, 73376 Le Bourget-du-Lac, France. (Email: anne-laure.perrier@univ-lyon1.fr)
Jean-Marc Duchamp
Affiliation:
Institute of Microelectronics, Electromagnetism and Photonics (IMEP), UMR 5130 CNRS, INPG-UJF, BP 257, 38016 Grenoble Cedex 1, France. (Emails: duchamp@minatec.inpg.fr; philippe.ferrari@ujf-grenoble.fr; Olivier.Exshaw@grenoble.cnrs.fr)
Olivier Exshaw
Affiliation:
Institute of Microelectronics, Electromagnetism and Photonics (IMEP), UMR 5130 CNRS, INPG-UJF, BP 257, 38016 Grenoble Cedex 1, France. (Emails: duchamp@minatec.inpg.fr; philippe.ferrari@ujf-grenoble.fr; Olivier.Exshaw@grenoble.cnrs.fr)
Robert Harrison
Affiliation:
Department of Electronics, Carleton University, Ottawa K1S 5B6, Canada. (Email: rgh@doe.carleton.ca)
Philippe Ferrari
Affiliation:
Institute of Microelectronics, Electromagnetism and Photonics (IMEP), UMR 5130 CNRS, INPG-UJF, BP 257, 38016 Grenoble Cedex 1, France. (Emails: duchamp@minatec.inpg.fr; philippe.ferrari@ujf-grenoble.fr; Olivier.Exshaw@grenoble.cnrs.fr)
*
Corresponding author: Anne-Laure Perrier Email: anne-laure.perrier@univ-lyon1.fr
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Abstract

This article describes the design and performance of a compact tunable impedance transformer. The structure is based on a transmission line loaded by varactor diodes. Using only two pairs of diodes, the circuit is very small with a total length of only λ/10. Both the frequency range and the load impedance can be tuned by varying the varactor bias voltages. Our design provides a tunable operating frequency range of ±40% and an impedance match ranging from 20 to 90 Ω at 0.8 GHz and from 30 to 170 Ω at 1.5 GHz. In addition, a new approach that considers losses for the simulation and measurement of this impedance transformer was investigated. The measured performance of a 1 GHz prototype design confirmed the validity of this new approach.

Keywords

Impedance transformerMicrowaveMiniaturized deviceTunable deviceVaractors
Type
Original Article
Information
International Journal of Microwave and Wireless Technologies , Volume 1 , Issue 5 , October 2009 , pp. 403 - 413
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and the European Microwave Association 2009

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