Tunable microwave and millimetre-wave metamaterial structures and applications

Mavridou, Marina (2015). Tunable microwave and millimetre-wave metamaterial structures and applications. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Novel designs of metamaterial structures as well as novel techniques and configurations for tuning metamaterials are presented in this PhD thesis. The proposed tuning techniques overcome the challenges that exist in other tuning techniques available thus far. Moreover, possible applications of tunable metamaterials in communication systems are proposed. Initially, tunable Electromagnetic Band-Gap (EBG) structures are proposed for low frequencies operation (3GHz to 6GHz) employing a novel biasing technique for varactor diodes. Subsequently, the proposed tunable EBG structures are applied to closely spaced antennas, achieving isolation enhancement for MIMO systems. Moreover, a new technique of tuning High Impedance Surface (HIS) structures is presented, with low-loss performance and no parasitic effects, based on employing two types of piezoelectric actuators, each type being suitable to a different frequency band. Particularly, bender piezoelectric actuators are used for configurations operating at low mm-wave frequencies (~15GHz) and stack multilayer actuators for operation at higher mm-wave frequencies (60GHz) where achieving a low loss performance is even more challenging. Two tunable antenna designs are also proposed incorporating both tunable HIS structures (at 15GHz and 60GHz). Finally, novel configurations of tunable Frequency Selective Surfaces (FSS) are proposed based on the concept of piezoelectric actuators to obtain a tunable response. Again, this is carried out for two operating bands, 15GHz and 60GHz. The particular designs of tunable HIS and FSS, are directly scalable to even higher frequencies (THz), offering a promising solution at this band.

Type of Work: Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)
Award Type: Doctorates > Ph.D.
Supervisor(s):
Supervisor(s)EmailORCID
Feresidis, AlexandrosUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Constantinou, Costas.C.UNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Licence:
College/Faculty: Colleges (2008 onwards) > College of Engineering & Physical Sciences
School or Department: School of Engineering, Department of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering
Funders: None/not applicable
Subjects: T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering
URI: http://etheses.bham.ac.uk/id/eprint/6263

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