Materials Issues for Tunable RF and Microwave Devices III

This book, first published in 2002, discusses challenges facing the implementation of an affordable tunable RF and microwave device technology. Low cost, tunable, microwave devices will have a tremendous impact on a variety of commercial and military systems, including tunable band-select filters for wireless communications, phase shifters and true time-delay devices for electronic scanning antennas, tunable radiating structures for frequency hopping, and tunable transformers to reduce RF impedance mismatch. Papers address topics from materials issues through devices and even a system-level demonstration of electronic beam steering. Specific materials issues discussed include: new tunable materials; issues of tunability, preparation and optimization of bulk and thin-film properties; materials, surface, and interface characterization; evaluation of material loss and loss mechanisms; effects of microstructure; and temperature stability. Phase shifters are featured and a new device concept for variable true time delay versus phase shift is introduced. A paraelectric lens is used to demonstrate electronic beam steering of an antenna at 10 GHz with about 2 dB of loss.