Open Access
Design and characterization of terahertz CORPS beam forming networks
(Springer, 2023) Biurrun Quel, Carlos; Haddad, Thomas; Sievert, Benedikt; Kress, Robin; Weimann, Nils; Erni, Daniel; Rennings, Andreas; Stöhr, Andreas; Teniente Vallinas, Jorge; Río Bocio, Carlos del; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
This work reviews the design and applicability of beam-forming networks based on Coherently Radiating Periodic Structures (CORPS-BFN) at Terahertz (THz) frequency bands. These versatile networks offer two operation modes: a continuous beam steering – feeding an antenna array with a linearly progressive phase distribution – using a reduced number of phase controls; or a multi-beam operation, generating independent, overlapped beams. These networks are built upon the concatenation of power combiners/dividers (PCDs) with isolated outputs. The isolation is provided by monolithically integrated resistors, implemented with Ti/TiO thin films for the first time. In this work, a planar prototype of a (inputs/outputs) microstrip CORPS-BFN for operation in the WR3.4/WM-864 band (220–330 GHz) on a thin 50 m Indium Phosphide (InP) substrate is designed, fabricated, and characterized. The measured S-parameters show a reflection coefficient better than -15 dB and an insertion loss between 1.6 and 3.2 dB in the whole band. In addition, an isolation better than 20 dB between the input ports has been measured. An overall remarkable agreement is observed between the measurements and the simulations. Last, the applications, scalability and efficiency of this type of networks at the targeted band are discussed in detail.
Open Access
New hexagonal CORPS-BFN for multibeam antenna applications
(IEEE, 2020) Biurrun Quel, Carlos; Montesano, Antonio; Ederra Urzainqui, Íñigo; Iriarte Galarregui, Juan Carlos; Río Bocio, Carlos del; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación
This work presents a new topology of a Coherently Radiating Periodic Structure - Beam Forming Network (CORPS-BFN) and its application for multibeam systems. A unit cell, consisting of a transition from a coaxial input to an intersection of three strip-lines with an angular span of 120 degrees, is proposed and analysed. A periodical replication of the cell gives rise to a uniform layer, allowing a proper matching of the ports of the network. Stacked layers allow in-phase propagation and distribution of the energy through the structure, increasing the number of output ports with each layer.
Open Access
Noise in coherently radiating periodic structures beam forming networks
(IEEE, 2022) Biurrun Quel, Carlos; Río Bocio, Carlos del; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
Following the noise wave theory, beam forming networks based on Coherently Radiating Periodic Structures (CORPS-BFN) are analysed and proven to be capable of enhancing the Signal to Noise Ratio of the system by analogically multiplexing the signal and noise contributions present at every input port. The geometry of the network determines the maximum enhancement achievable, which is demonstrated to be independent from insertion losses. These findings are supported by a mathematical approach, as well as with experimental data.
Open Access
Evaluating noise in passive beam forming networks for multibeam applications
(Elsevier, 2023) Biurrun Quel, Carlos; Río Bocio, Carlos del; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
In this work, we identify that the analysis in terms of noise of multibeam passive beam forming networks requires a proper formulation, in order not to overestimate the noise generated by the network. We show that the inherent spatial diversity offered by this type of networks results in an improvement of the SNR, similar to the one obtained by digital architectures, with a penalty due to the insertion loss. To illustrate this phenomena, two generalized equivalent circuits are proposed are a numerical example is presented.
Open Access
New coplanar waveguide based on the gap waveguide technology
(IEEE, 2021) Biurrun Quel, Carlos; Teniente Vallinas, Jorge; Río Bocio, Carlos del; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
A new planar waveguide, coined Inverted coplanar gap waveguide is presented. The concept of gap waveguides and parallel plate suppression between perfect magnetic and a perfect electric conductors is applied to coplanar waveguides in order to create a low-dispersion, low-loss transmission line. The combination of an artificial magnetic conductor and channelized top cover allow the propagation of an even coplanar mode with a strong component propagating over the air while solving encapsulation matters without the use of metallic vias. The main theory behind this new concept is presented and supported by FEM simulations on a commercial software package.
Open Access
Multi-channel feedarray reflector antenna based radar concept for HRWS SAR imaging
(IEEE, 2021) Castillo, Javier del; Orgaz, Lara; García, Quiterio; Memeletzoglou, Nafsika; Toso, Giovanni; Imbembo, Ernesto; Biurrun Quel, Carlos; Río Bocio, Carlos del; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
Large deployable reflector based multi-channel antenna systems are a key component of next generation SAR missions as they allow implementing multi-beam imaging capabilities and provide an efficient way to overcome the classical SAR resolution-coverage trade-off, covering wide swaths with high azimuth resolution. The presented work shows the design of a multichannel L-band SAR system and antenna architecture based on different feeders concepts and capable to map 400 km ground swath with 5 meter spatial resolution in dual polarization. The paper describes a preliminary design and architecture of the SAR system and the antenna where different design aspects including beamforming concepts and feedarray implementation techniques have been identified and assessed in view of achieving the required SAR performances while reducing the overall complexity of the solution.
Open Access
Studying the noise performance of CORPS beam forming networks
(IEEE, 2022-05-11) Biurrun Quel, Carlos; Río Bocio, Carlos del; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
The classical noise wave theory is employed in the field of Coherently Radiating Periodic Structures (CORPS). The coherent properties of these type of networks allow the distribution of a signal across the network and the in-phase recombination of each distributed component at an output port. Whereas these distribution and recombination processes are coherent for the signal and hence do not incur in power loss, the intrinsically incoherent noise contributions incident at the port terminations are not sum coherently. This is especially significant in presence of incident noise powers much larger than the intrinsically generated thermal noise. As a result, an enhancement in terms of Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) is demonstrated analytically by means of noise wave theory. The maximum achievable SNR enhancement depends on the internal structure of the CORPS network. Validation of the proposed theory is provided by means of a commercial circuital software.
Open Access
Hybrid analog-digital SAR instrument with reflector antenna and overlapped subarray feed for earth observation
(IEEE, 2021) García, Quiterio; Orgaz, Lara; Castillo, Javier del; Toso, Giovanni; Imbembo, Ernesto; Biurrun Quel, Carlos; Río Bocio, Carlos del; Memeletzoglou, Nafsika; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
As part of the European Space Agency (ESA) studies of new instrument for Earth observation, the design of a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) architecture based on overlapped array antennas was launched last year. The objective of the activity is to develop a test unit of a reflector based SAR antenna fed by an array organized in overlapped subarrays, supporting novel multichannel wide-swath SAR architectures, and exploiting multiple beams in both azimuth and range/elevation directions. In the letter, a hybrid analog/digital beamforming on reception with analog beamforming approach on transmission is analyzed. The antenna system consists of a large oversize reflector with a feedarray capable of generating multiple beams on receive for digital processing. In the letter, a description of the hybrid SAR Instrument is presented, describing the characteristics of the system, the antenna, the considered feedarray options and the main characteristics and system performances.
Open Access
Feeder system design for OLAF SAR instrument
(IEEE, 2022-04-11) Biurrun Quel, Carlos; García-García, Quiterio; Río Bocio, Carlos del; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
The design of the feeding system for the focal array in OLAF (Over-Lapped Sub-Array Fed) antenna for SAR Instrument at L-Band is presented. The proposed design consists of a circular patch with a balanced excitation all of it embedded in a ground plane which is connected to the lower ground plane by some shorting pins, reducing the mutual coupling with the neighbour radiating elements of the focal array. The balanced excitation has been implemented with a 180° hybrid using the differential input port. Dual polarization is achieved by using two 180° hybrids within the same layer. The stringent requirements for the system, namely low in cross-polarization, high isolation between the two polarizations (both below the-25dB reference level) and azimuthal symmetry of the radiation pattern are fulfilled within all the working bandwidth.
Open Access
Characterization of 3D-printed choke horn antenna for 5G backhaul applications
(IEEE, 2019) Biurrun Quel, Carlos; Lacombe, Elsa; Gianesello, Frederic; Luxe, Cyril; Río Bocio, Carlos del; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación
The 200 and 320 GHz frequency band constitutes an interesting window with approximately constant attenuation, which could potentially have applications in the area of ultrahigh-capacity wireless links. The user's demand of data for future 5G mobile systems will require backhaul systems to be able to provide several dozens of GHz in order to satisfy those demands. Furthermore, additive manufacturing techniques stand as an interesting way of reducing costs without sacrificing performance. In this work, a choke horn antenna, designed at a central frequency of 240 GHz and manufactured by 3D-printing technology is presented. This antenna is thought to serve as the feed of a compact parabolic reflector. The antenna has been measured by Near- and Far-Field techniques and these measurements show an adequate agreement with simulation results. Additionally, the measurement set-up included a novel dynamic time-domain, software-controlled gating that readjusts itself for every measured point.