volume | PIER Journals

Abstract

We characterize the pulse propagation on a traveling-wave field-effect transistor (TWFET) with the drain line periodically loaded with Schottky varactors for short pulse amplification. Owing to the coupling between the gate and drain lines, two propagation modes are developed on a TWFET. It is expected that the pulses carried by one of the two modes are uniquely amplified, whereas those carried by the other mode are attenuated. By properly introducing nonlinearity via the loaded varactors, the proposed TWFET succeeds in the amplification of short pulses by compensating for dispersive distortions. This study verifies the design criteria for the amplification of short pulses in TWFETs through the experimental observation of the properties of the linear and nonlinear pulses on a TWFET.

1. Hirota, R. and K. Suzuki, "Studies on lattice solitons by using electrical networks," J. of the Phys. Soc. Jpn., Vol. 28, 1366-1367, 1970.
doi:10.1143/JPSJ.28.1366 Google Scholar

2. Rodwell, M. J. W., S. T. Allen, R. Y. Yu, M. G. Case, U. Bhattacharya, M. Reddy, E. Carman, M. Kamegawa, Y. Konishi, J. Pusl, and R. Pullela, "Active and nonlinear wave propagation devices in ultrafast electronics and optoelectronics," Proc. of the IEEE, Vol. 82, 1037-1059, 1994.
doi:10.1109/5.293161 Google Scholar

3. Jäger, D., "Characteristics of traveling-waves along nonlinear transmission lines for monolithic integrated circuits: A review ," Int. J. of Electron., Vol. 58, 649-669, 1985.
doi:10.1080/00207218508939060 Google Scholar

4. Wedding, B. and D. Jäger, "Phase-matched second harmonic generation and parametric mixing on nonlinear transmission lines," Electron. Lett., Vol. 17, 76-77, 1981.
doi:10.1049/el:19810055 Google Scholar

5. Kintis, M., X. Lan, and F. Fong, "An MMIC pulse generator using dual nonlinear transmission lines," IEEE Microwave Wireless Compo. Lett., Vol. 17, 454-456, 2007.
doi:10.1109/LMWC.2007.897799 Google Scholar

6. Yildirim, O. O., D. S. Ricketts, and D. Ham, "Reflection soliton oscillator," IEEE Trans. on Microwave Theory Tech., Vol. 57, 2344-2353, 2009.
doi:10.1109/TMTT.2009.2029025 Google Scholar

7. Ndzana, F., A. Mohamadou, and T. C. Kofane, "Dynamics of modulated waves in electrical lines with dissipative elements," Phys. Rev. E, Vol. 79, 047201-047204, 2009.
doi:10.1103/PhysRevE.79.047201 Google Scholar

8. Narahara, K., "Coupled nonlinear transmission lines for doubling repetition rate of incident pulse streams ," Progress In Electromag netics Research Letters, Vol. 16, 69-78, 2010.
doi:10.2528/PIERL10070106 Google Scholar

9. Narahara, K., "Interaction of nonlinear pulses developed in coupled transmission lines regularly spaced Schottky varactors," Progress In Electromagnetics Research Letters, Vol. 17, 85-93, 2010.
doi:10.2528/PIERL10072611 Google Scholar

10. McIver, G. W., "A traveling-wave transistor," Proc. of the IEEE, Vol. 53, 1747-1748, 1965.
doi:10.1109/PROC.1965.4364 Google Scholar

11. Narahara, K. and S. Nakagawa, "Nonlinear traveling-wave field-effect transistors for amplification of short electrical pulses," IEICE Electron. Express, Vol. 7, 1188-1194, 2010.
doi:10.1587/elex.7.1188 Google Scholar

12. Heinrich, W. and H. L. Hartnagel, "Wave propagation on MESFET electrodes and its influence on transistor gain," IEEE Trans. on Microwave Theory Tech., Vol. 35, 1-8, 1987.
doi:10.1109/TMTT.1987.1133586 Google Scholar

13. Narahara, K. and T. Otsuji, "Characterization of wave propagation on traveling-wave field effect transistors," Jpn. J. of Appl. Phys., Vol. 37, 6328-6339, 1998.
doi:10.1143/JJAP.37.6328 Google Scholar

14. Gupta, K. C., R. Garg, and I. J. Bahl, Microstrip Lines and Slotlines, Artech, 1979.

Dr. R. Sugai

Dr. T. Shima

Prof. Koichi Narahara