Theory and Applications of Minimal-Transistor Circuits in High-Frequency Communication Systems
Date
2021-04-16
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Abstract
The continuous demand for higher data-rate and better quality of service drives the wireless communication industry towards the next generation of technology. The new wireless communication networks such as the fifth-generation (5G) operate at high frequency (e.g. 28 GHz) and with this unprecedented amount of bandwidth comes the potential for much higher-data-rate than other channels. However, such networks face significant challenges in the radio frequency (RF) design. For example, the true-time delay (TTD) beamformer which is a key technology in the 5G networks, requires novel, high-performance and low complexity analog RF circuits such as the CMOS all-pass filters (APFs). Therefore, innovations in analog circuits including filters, oscillators, and amplifiers, are always needed in order to provide a better performance, particularly at these high frequencies, and to overcome other design challenges. Investigating new analog circuits is exhausting when it comes to examining all possible circuits of any given well-defined structure due to the tremendous amount of time needed to perform hand analysis in order to obtain valid circuits. However, with the power of the symbolic math toolboxes available nowadays, and with the help of two-port network models, this problem can be solved in an automated manner with all possible valid circuits found. In this thesis, we present a paradigm shift in the design of the analog minimal-transistor circuits. We systematically synthesize and investigate new designs using two-port network modeling techniques which enable exploiting the power of the symbolic math solvers. Following this new synthesis methodology, we have managed to propose numerous new analog circuits including filters and oscillators. The functionality of the various contributions was validated through extensive simulation results and experimental measurements on fabricated integrated circuits (ICs) in a 65-nm CMOS process. In conclusion, this work unveils a new systematic methodology in minimal-transistor circuit design and provides a window for further design investigation.
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Keywords
Circuit Theory, Analog Filters, CAD tools, Two-port networks
Citation
Mohamed, M. B. E. (2021). Theory and Applications of Minimal-Transistor Circuits in High-Frequency Communication Systems (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.