Longitudinally Uniform Transmission Lines With Frequency-Enabled Mode Conversion

A class of longitudinally uniform transmission lines with low loss, low dispersion, and high-field confinement, called mode-selective transmission lines (MSTLs), has been proposed for ultrabroadband and ultra-fast electromagnetic signal guidance and processing. Their operation is mainly based on the...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Desong Wang, Faezeh Fesharaki, Ke Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IEEE 2018-01-01
Series:IEEE Access
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8349961/
_version_ 1819171680882262016
author Desong Wang
Faezeh Fesharaki
Ke Wu
author_facet Desong Wang
Faezeh Fesharaki
Ke Wu
author_sort Desong Wang
collection DOAJ
description A class of longitudinally uniform transmission lines with low loss, low dispersion, and high-field confinement, called mode-selective transmission lines (MSTLs), has been proposed for ultrabroadband and ultra-fast electromagnetic signal guidance and processing. Their operation is mainly based on the concept of frequency-enabled mode selectivity. This paper presents our latest research results on this emerging MSTL, including its operating mechanism, propagation characteristics, higher-order modes, and transition design. Throughout the detailed discussion, two MSTL structures operating in distinct frequency ranges (DC to 60 GHz and DC to 500 GHz as showcased here) are considered. First of all, a comparative study among MSTLs and several conventional transmission lines is made, illustrating significant differences in structural features, wave guidance, field distributions, and frequency characteristics. Second, the phenomenon of mode selectivity occurred in MSTLs is examined by means of identified physical evidence (i.e., field distributions in connection with modal behavior) and theoretical foundation. It is verified that, with increasing frequency, the dominant modes of MSTLs are converted from a quasi-TEM microstrip mode to a quasi-TE10 waveguide mode over a certain frequency range. Following this thread, a more rigorous analysis is carried out by defining and formulating three characteristic frequencies based on the observed inherent physical dispersions, and the operating frequency ranges of MSTLs are thus divided into several distinct frequency regions associated with the frequency-related variable dominant mode. In addition, a general analysis of the attenuation characteristics of MSTLs and higher order modes in MSTLs is conducted. To facilitate practical measurements and to expedite the integrated applications of MSTLs, we propose a low-loss and ultra-broadband transition between MSTL and microstrip line, through which undesired higher order modes are effectively suppressed. The numerical and theoretical analyses of MSTLs are carried out with experimental verifications. At the end of this paper, different fabrication and measurement techniques for the two MSTLs of interest are briefly described.
first_indexed 2024-12-22T19:55:09Z
format Article
id doaj.art-3e1e7f2282b24ce7aa6c67eb04f79f73
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2169-3536
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-22T19:55:09Z
publishDate 2018-01-01
publisher IEEE
record_format Article
series IEEE Access
spelling doaj.art-3e1e7f2282b24ce7aa6c67eb04f79f732022-12-21T18:14:26ZengIEEEIEEE Access2169-35362018-01-016240892410910.1109/ACCESS.2018.28303528349961Longitudinally Uniform Transmission Lines With Frequency-Enabled Mode ConversionDesong Wang0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3997-9589Faezeh Fesharaki1Ke Wu2Poly-Grames Research Center, École Polytechnique de Montréal, Montreal, QC, CanadaMicrosemi Corporation, Burnaby, BC, CanadaPoly-Grames Research Center, École Polytechnique de Montréal, Montreal, QC, CanadaA class of longitudinally uniform transmission lines with low loss, low dispersion, and high-field confinement, called mode-selective transmission lines (MSTLs), has been proposed for ultrabroadband and ultra-fast electromagnetic signal guidance and processing. Their operation is mainly based on the concept of frequency-enabled mode selectivity. This paper presents our latest research results on this emerging MSTL, including its operating mechanism, propagation characteristics, higher-order modes, and transition design. Throughout the detailed discussion, two MSTL structures operating in distinct frequency ranges (DC to 60 GHz and DC to 500 GHz as showcased here) are considered. First of all, a comparative study among MSTLs and several conventional transmission lines is made, illustrating significant differences in structural features, wave guidance, field distributions, and frequency characteristics. Second, the phenomenon of mode selectivity occurred in MSTLs is examined by means of identified physical evidence (i.e., field distributions in connection with modal behavior) and theoretical foundation. It is verified that, with increasing frequency, the dominant modes of MSTLs are converted from a quasi-TEM microstrip mode to a quasi-TE10 waveguide mode over a certain frequency range. Following this thread, a more rigorous analysis is carried out by defining and formulating three characteristic frequencies based on the observed inherent physical dispersions, and the operating frequency ranges of MSTLs are thus divided into several distinct frequency regions associated with the frequency-related variable dominant mode. In addition, a general analysis of the attenuation characteristics of MSTLs and higher order modes in MSTLs is conducted. To facilitate practical measurements and to expedite the integrated applications of MSTLs, we propose a low-loss and ultra-broadband transition between MSTL and microstrip line, through which undesired higher order modes are effectively suppressed. The numerical and theoretical analyses of MSTLs are carried out with experimental verifications. At the end of this paper, different fabrication and measurement techniques for the two MSTLs of interest are briefly described.https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8349961/Field distributionhigh-order modemode-selective transmission line (MSTL)mode selectivitypropagation characteristicquasi-TEM mode
spellingShingle Desong Wang
Faezeh Fesharaki
Ke Wu
Longitudinally Uniform Transmission Lines With Frequency-Enabled Mode Conversion
IEEE Access
Field distribution
high-order mode
mode-selective transmission line (MSTL)
mode selectivity
propagation characteristic
quasi-TEM mode
title Longitudinally Uniform Transmission Lines With Frequency-Enabled Mode Conversion
title_full Longitudinally Uniform Transmission Lines With Frequency-Enabled Mode Conversion
title_fullStr Longitudinally Uniform Transmission Lines With Frequency-Enabled Mode Conversion
title_full_unstemmed Longitudinally Uniform Transmission Lines With Frequency-Enabled Mode Conversion
title_short Longitudinally Uniform Transmission Lines With Frequency-Enabled Mode Conversion
title_sort longitudinally uniform transmission lines with frequency enabled mode conversion
topic Field distribution
high-order mode
mode-selective transmission line (MSTL)
mode selectivity
propagation characteristic
quasi-TEM mode
url https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8349961/
work_keys_str_mv AT desongwang longitudinallyuniformtransmissionlineswithfrequencyenabledmodeconversion
AT faezehfesharaki longitudinallyuniformtransmissionlineswithfrequencyenabledmodeconversion
AT kewu longitudinallyuniformtransmissionlineswithfrequencyenabledmodeconversion