Third-Order Intermodulation Distortion and Harmonic Generation in Mismatched Weakly Nonlinear Transmission Lines

• Published in: IEEE transactions on microwave theory and techniques Vol. 57; no. 1; pp. 10 - 18
• Main Authors: Mateu, J., Collado, C., Orloff, N., Booth, J.C., Rocas, E., Padilla, A., O'Callaghan, J.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.01.2009; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Circuit properties; Closed-form solution; Conductors; Electric, optical and optoelectronic circuits; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; Exact solutions; Ferroelectric materials; Ferroelectrics; Frequency conversion; harmonic balance; Harmonic generations; Impedance; Intermodulation distortion; intermodulation products; Mathematical analysis; Microwave circuits, microwave integrated circuits, microwave transmission lines, submillimeter wave circuits; Microwaves; nonlinear measurements; nonlinearities; Nonlinearity; Signal analysis; Signal generators; Superconducting transmission lines; Superconductivity; superconductors; Theoretical study. Circuits analysis and design; Transmission lines; Intermodulation distortion; nonlinear measurements; intermodulation products; Circuit simulation; Superconducting transmission lines; Small signal behavior; superconductors; Third order; Small signal; Harmonic generation; Mismatching; Non linear phenomenon; Harmonic balance; Superconducting materials; Transmission line; Spurious signal; Ferroelectric materials; Equivalent circuit; nonlinearities; Coplanar waveguides; Intermodulation; Ferroelectrics; Non linear effect; Impedance
• ISSN: 0018-9480; 1557-9670
• DOI: 10.1109/TMTT.2008.2009083

This paper describes a procedure to obtain analytical expressions for the spurious signals generated in nonlinear transmission lines with impedance mismatch when they are subject to small-signals. Using these expressions one can rapidly extract the nonlinear parameters describing the nonlinear effects due to the conductor, L ( i ) and R ( i ) , such as in superconductors, and/or the nonlinear parameters due to the dielectric, C ( v ) and G ( v ) , such as in ferroelectrics. The resulting closed-form expressions have been validated by equivalent circuit simulations. Spurious signal measurements on several coplanar waveguide superconducting and ferroelectric transmission lines have been explained by the use of the resulting closed-form expressions.