Reconfigurable RF integrated circuits are an attractive feature to sustain the increasing number of standards and functionalities of modern mobile devices. 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. Phase-change-materials (PCM)-based RF switches have been proposed as high-performance RF switches due to their excellent transmission properties, small footprint, low power consumption, and non-volatility, which make them great contenders for reconfigurable RF applications.
In this project, a reconfigurable microwave filter controlled by PCM-based RF switches will be designed and evaluated. Multi-band filters are fundamental components in any radio transceiver, and PCM RF switches are great candidates for better energy and area efficiency. The implementation will be done in HFSS and/or ADS.
Schedule:
– Study of the basics of microwave filters and PCM RF switches.
– Evaluation of different topologies to integrate the PCM switches to tunable
filters.
– Design, implementation and evaluation of the filters.
For more information see : http://vlsi.eelabs.technion.ac.il/projects-list/