A 12-GHz silicon bipolar dual-conversion receiver for digital satellite applications

A 12-GHz monolithic silicon bipolar receiver for digital video broadcasting via satellite (DVB-S) is presented. The receiver is based on a dual-conversion superheterodyne architecture that employs a single LO integrated in the same die. To comply with the stringent LO phase noise requirement of -101 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz offset from the carrier, an innovative VCO topology, based on a three-layer monolithic transformer, was used. The VCO exhibits a phase noise of -102 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz offset from a 5.3-GHz carrier and a 1.1-GHz tuning range. At 12 GHz, the conversion gain is 33.6 dB, the single-sideband noise figure is 5.9 dB and the output IP3 is +16 dBm. This work reports the first 12-GHz DVB-S monolithic receiver integrated in a low-cost silicon bipolar technology.     

A Ku-band monolithic receiver for DVB-S applications

Despite the incessant progress observed in fixed and wireless terrestrial communication networks, satellite systems remain an appealing solution for broadcasting, point-to-point, and multicasting telecommunications, because of undemanding customer equipment and wide coverage capability. In this scenario, digital video broadcasting via satellite (DVB-S) is recognized as one of the main market-attractive telecommunication fields. Up to now, expensive discrete GaAs HEMT or FET devices have been used to build up circuitry for satellite applications at Ku-band. This article presents the first 12-GHz monolithic receiver for DVB-S applications, implemented in a low-cost silicon bipolar technology. The receiver is based on a superheterodyne architecture, employing a fully integrated LO. To comply with the severe LO phase noise requirement of -101 dBc/Hz at a 100 kHz offset from the carrier, an innovative VCO topology was used implementing a three-metal-layer integrated transformer. The performance parameters of the integrated receiver fulfill DVB-S standard specifications.     

Application of graphene-based flexible antennas in consumer electronic devices

We describe the fabrication and characterization of Near-Field Communication (NFC) devices based on highly flexible, carbon-based antennas composed of stacked graphene multilayers. This material features a high value of conductivity (4.20?*?10⁵?S/m) comparable to monocrystalline graphite, but is much more flexible and processable. We first studied the replacement of metal with carbon antennas using computer modeling, to select the best design. Then we manufactured several devices to be used according to the communication protocol ISO/IEC 15693. The inductance of the G-paper antennas was tested before and after hundreds of thousands of bending cycles at bending radii of 45 and 90?mm. During bending the self-resonance frequency and inductance peak showed minimal variation and the resistance at 1?MHz changed from 33.09?Ω to 34.18?Ω, outperforming standard, commercial metallic antennas. The devices were successfully tested by exchanging data with a smartphone and other commercial NFC readers, matching the performance of standard, commercial metallic antennas. The graphene antennas could be deposited on different standard polymeric substrates or on textiles. Smart cards, flexible NFC tags and wearable NFC bracelets were prepared in this way to be used in electronic keys, business cards and other typical NFC applications.     

Optimal measurements in phase estimation: simple examples

Quantum Information Processing - We identify optimal measurement strategies for phase estimation in different scenarios in which the interferometer acts on two-mode symmetric states. For pure...