Abstract: An adaptive impedance matching network to implement an impedance match between an RF power device and an antenna comprises a matching network having at least one tunable component, a current sensor providing a current value corresponding to the supply current associated with the RF power device, a power sensor configured to provide an RF power sensor value monotonically related to power delivered to the antenna, and a tuner to provide a tuning signal to the matching network as a function of the current and RF power values. The tuner may adjust the tuning signal so that the RF power sensor value is at least as large as for other settings of the tuning signal, while maintaining the supply current at a predetermined amount corresponding to an amount of supply current occurring when the RF power device is driving a load that produces the desired RF output power and amplifier efficiency.

Abstract: A method of adapting an antenna to a transceiver system having a receiver subsystem and a transmitter subsystem comprises using an automatic tuning system to tune the antenna with respect to the receiver subsystem. The tuning results in an optimal receive signal at the receiver subsystem in response to RF energy radiated to the antenna. The tuning system may include a tuning detection element for radiating RF energy to the antenna, and a tuning element for tuning the antenna. After tuning the antenna, the method further comprises tuning a tunable matching network, coupled between an output of an RF power device of the transmitter subsystem and an input of the antenna, to facilitate an optimal power transfer amount from the RF power device to the antenna while the RF power device operates according to certain desired parameters. The desired parameters may include output power and efficiency.

Abstract: Phase change materials such as correlated oxides (e.g., such as NbO2, V2O3 and VO2) enable wide tuning of dielectric properties via control of temperature, electric fields, optical fields or disorder. The distinct dielectric states can be volatile or non-volatile depending on how the phase is created. Possible fabrication techniques for oxide and insulating matrix composites may include sequential/co-deposition routes as well as local controlled disorder. By combining the distinct insulating and metallic states in these systems and by control of the ground state via induced defects, artificial electronic composites, whose properties can be tuned, could be manufactured. The composites can be integral components of coplanar waveguide devices and microwave switches. More broadly, tunable electronic composites using oxide systems that undergo insulator-metal transitions may have wide usage in frequency tunable devices, including microwave devices.

Abstract: An adaptive impedance matching network to implement an impedance match between an RF power device and an antenna comprises a matching network having at least one tunable component, a current sensor providing a current value corresponding to the supply current associated with the RF power device, a power sensor configured to provide an RF power sensor value monotonically related to power delivered to the antenna, and a tuner to provide a tuning signal to the matching network as a function of the current and RF power values. The tuner may adjust the tuning signal so that the RF power sensor value is at least as large as for other settings of the tuning signal, while maintaining the supply current at a predetermined amount corresponding to an amount of supply current occurring when the RF power device is driving a load that produces the desired RF output power and amplifier efficiency.

Abstract: A method of adapting an antenna to a transceiver system having a receiver subsystem and a transmitter subsystem comprises using an automatic tuning system to tune the antenna with respect to the receiver subsystem. The tuning results in an optimal receive signal at the receiver subsystem in response to RF energy radiated to the antenna. The tuning system may include a tuning detection element for radiating RF energy to the antenna, and a tuning element for tuning the antenna. After tuning the antenna, the method further comprises tuning a tunable matching network, coupled between an output of an RF power device of the transmitter subsystem and an input of the antenna, to facilitate an optimal power transfer amount from the RF power device to the antenna while the RF power device operates according to certain desired parameters. The desired parameters may include output power and efficiency.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an actuating mechanism is employed to displace a conductor disposed within a fluidic channel, thereby reconfiguring an electronic component.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an inductance of an inductor is tuned by adjusting a position of a conductor and/or a magnetic material with respect to a conducting wire of the inductor, thereby changing the electro-magnetic characteristics of the conducting wire. The conductor and/or magnetic material can be disposed in a microfluidic channel and can be moved within the microfluidic channel using a suitable actuator mechanism.

Abstract: A homodyne radar system includes an oscillator, an antenna, a low noise amplifier, a mixing subsystem and a directional coupler. The oscillator is configured to generate a transmit signal and a local oscillator signal. The antenna is configured to transmit the transmit signal and to receive a receive signal. The low noise amplifier is configured to amplify the receive signal. The mixing subsystem is configured to receive and mix the transmit signal and the receive signal to produce an output signal. The directional coupler is coupled to the antenna, the oscillator, the low noise amplifier and the mixing subsystem. The directional coupler is connected and configured to provide a low-loss transmission path from the antenna to the low noise amplifier and a high loss transmission path from the oscillator to the antenna.

Abstract: An antenna features a ground plane having a continuous portion and one or more stubs extending therefrom.

Abstract: In various embodiments, systems and methods for automatically tuning an antenna to a desired frequency utilize a tuning detection element that sends or receives a signal in accordance with one mode of the antenna and that is separated from the antenna by a gap and outside of a signal path of the antenna. In various system implementations, a processor communicates with the tuning detection element and antenna and monitors the amplitude of a signal transmitted to or from the tuning detection element. A resonant frequency of the antenna may be tuned to the desired frequency by a tuning element.

Abstract: A homodyne radar system includes an oscillator, an antenna, a low noise amplifier, a mixing subsystem and a directional coupler. The oscillator is configured to generate a transmit signal and a local oscillator signal. The antenna is configured to transmit the transmit signal and to receive a receive signal. The low noise amplifier is configured to amplify the receive signal. The mixing subsystem is configured to receive and mix the transmit signal and the receive signal to produce an output signal. The directional coupler is coupled to the antenna, the oscillator, the low noise amplifier and the mixing subsystem. The directional coupler is connected and configured to provide a low-loss transmission path from the antenna to the low noise amplifier and a high loss transmission path from the oscillator to the antenna.

Abstract: An antenna features a ground plane having a continuous portion and one or more stubs extending therefrom.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an inductance of an inductor is tuned by adjusting a position of a conductor and/or a magnetic material with respect to a conducting wire of the inductor, thereby changing the electro-magnetic characteristics of the conducting wire. The conductor and/or magnetic material can be disposed in a microfluidic channel and can be moved within the microfluidic channel using a suitable actuator mechanism.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an actuating mechanism is employed to displace a conductor disposed within a fluidic channel, thereby reconfiguring an electronic component.

Abstract: In various embodiments, systems and methods for automatically tuning an antenna to a desired frequency utilize a tuning detection element that sends or receives a signal in accordance with one mode of the antenna and that is separated from the antenna by a gap and outside of a signal path of the antenna. In various system implementations, a processor communicates with the tuning detection element and antenna and monitors the amplitude of a signal transmitted to or from the tuning detection element. A resonant frequency of the antenna may be tuned to the desired frequency by a tuning element.

Abstract: A method for forming a device, comprising providing a first substrate carrying a first set of components disposed in a first encapsulating layer over the first set of components, providing a second substrate carrying a second set of components disposed in a second encapsulating layer over the second set of components, bonding the first and second substrates and functionally interconnecting at least one of the predefined components in the first set of components with at least one of the components in the second set of components.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a MEMS piezoelectric resonator system includes forming a stack of layers on a substrate, the stack comprising at least one piezoelectric material layer spaced from the substrate by a sacrificial layer, patterning the stack to form a plurality of edge coupled resonators, and removing at least a portion of the sacrificial layer to suspend the resonators relative to the substrate.

Abstract: A resonator system wherein a plurality of resonators each including piezoelectric material are suspended relative to a substrate. An edge of each resonator is mechanically coupled to an edge of another resonator and the plurality of resonators expand and contract reaching resonance in response to an applied electric field.

Abstract: A method for forming a device, comprising providing a first substrate carrying a first set of components disposed in a first encapsulating layer over the first set of components, providing a second substrate carrying a second set of components disposed in a second encapsulating layer over the second set of components, bonding the first and second substrates and functionally interconnecting at least one of the predefined components in the first set of components with at least one of the components in the second set of components.