The growing demand to connect the world is pushing wireless systems to be smaller than ever. This is part of the increasing move to a data driven world with billions of connected devices in the era of the Internet of Things (IoT) and space and energy are critical design criteria.
Traditionally, miniaturization was possible owing to a focus in a single frequency and a single communication protocol. However, the real challenge is scaling multi-frequency/multiprotocol RF systems. It is highly desirable to have adaptable RF-chains, which means adaptable filters, amplifiers, matching networks, etc.
While back-end circuits in a radio transceiver (e.g., baseband analog, IF and digital) can be reconfigured using MOSFET switches, front-end circuits require high performance switches since resonant narrowband circuits require high quality factor inductors and capacitors.
Memristive devices have emerged as promising candidates for RF switches. Since they can be fabricated in the back-end-of-line (BEOL) of CMOS process they could be used as variable vias to reconfigure passive devices.
In this project, a memristor-based multi-band voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) will be designed and evaluated. The VCO uses an inductor that is tuned with a memristive switch. The project is based on advanced research. The implementation will be done in Virtuoso and/or ADS.
Schedule:
– Study of the basics of VCOs and memristive RF switches.
– Evaluation of different topologies and methods to reconfigure the VCO.
– Design, implementation and evaluation of the VCO.