The paper reports a compact and high performance dual-band bandpass filter (BPF) using two types of dual-mode resonators. The dual mode cross shaped resonator and the three dual mode ring resonators in the designed dual-band BPF are excited to control the first and second passband, respectively. It is shown that the designed and fabricated dual-band BPF has narrow bandwidths and very sharp attenuation rate due to the existence of the transmission zeros. The frequency response of the designed dual-band BPF shows good agreement between the simulations and experiments.

A detailed investigation of the electromagnetic field distributions in high frequency printed circuits and high-speed interconnects is very useful for physical understanding, studies of electromagnetic coupling effects for EMC and EMI and for optimization of electromagnetic circuit designs. The aim of this paper is to show how to measure the electric field distributions in electromagnetic circuits. An electromagnetic analysis for microstrip-line circuits is carried out by using a finite-difference time domain technique and its measurement is carried out by using a small probe antenna. The measurement results are in fairly good agreement with those of the numerical analysis using the FDTD method. Thus, the measurement system offers a valid means for predictions in the theoretical analysis of more complicated discontinuity problems.

As a highly efficient radio link technology, the opportunistic scheduling policy has been widely investigated and implemented. Therefore, new challenges come up in the case of TCP over opportunistic scheduling systems. In this paper we investigate the impact of wireless opportunistic scheduling on TCP throughput. It shows that the optimization of the wireless link mechanisms needs to be maintained at the transport layer by cooperation of the adjacent layers. We propose a new ACK Reservoir Method to smooth the TCP behavior combating against the spurious timeout caused by scheduling. Based on performance analysis and simulation results, the proposed method is shown to enhance the TCP throughput by up to 100% in the presence of opportunistic scheduling. Finally, the proposed method is evaluated in a practical simulation scenario of CDMA/HDR system.

Novel microstrip lowpass filters are developed with reduced size and significantly improved stopband characteristics. After introducing quarter-wavelength open stubs, we get one or two transmission zeros in the stopband. By folding the high impedance microstrip lines, we reduce the size of the filter. Three-pole and five-pole lowpass filters are designed, and their measured frequency responses agree well with theoretical predictions.

Signal integrity problem arises as one of the main issues in digital circuits manufactured by today's deep submicron technology. The coupling capacitance of neighboring lines may cause delays of circuit and it may affect the functionality of circuit. These effects are usually referred to as crosstalk. Since it requires additional design cost to fix crosstalk noise, the false aggressor nodes that cannot affect on victim node have to be eliminated. In this paper, we propose efficient heuristic algorithm that considers functional correlation for false aggressor pruning in crosstalk noise analysis. The false aggressors are detected by a path sensitization algorithm and logic implication. The efficiency of our algorithm has been verified on Benchmark circuits with a 0.18 µm standard cell library. Experimental results show an average of 5.4% false aggressor detection and an average improvement of 14.6% in the accuracy of timing analysis.

In this paper, a 20 GHz push-push oscillator using a ring resonator is proposed. The push-push oscillator adopts "dipole resonator push-push oscillator" circuit scheme, in which a common resonator plays two roles of frequency determining and power combining, and then the additional power combiner circuit required in conventional push-push oscillators can be eliminated. This kind of push-push oscillators has the advantages of the easy circuit design, the simple circuit configuation and the miniaturization of the circuit size. The output power is +4.5 dBm at the frequency of 20.34 GHz (2f0) with the phase noise of -98 dBc/Hz at the offset frequency of 1 MHz, and a high suppression of the undesired the fundamental frequency signal (f0) of -33 dBc is obtained.

This paper proposes a post-layout transistor sizing method for crosstalk noise reduction. The proposed method downsizes the drivers of aggressor wires for noise reduction, utilizing the precise interconnect information extracted from the detail-routed layouts. We develop a transistor sizing algorithm for crosstalk noise reduction under delay constraints, and construct a crosstalk noise optimization method utilizing an analytic crosstalk noise model and a transistor sizing framework that have been developed. Our method exploits the transistor sizing framework that can vary transistor widths inside cells with interconnects unchanged. Our optimization method therefore never causes a new crosstalk noise problem, and does not need iterative layout optimization. The effectiveness of the proposed method is experimentally examined using 2 circuits. The maximum noise voltage is reduced by more than 50% without delay violation. These results show that the risk of crosstalk noise problems can be considerably reduced after detail-routing.

This paper presents a novel algorithm for crosspoint assignment (CPA) that takes into consideration crosstalk noise and shielding effects in deep sub-micron design. We introduce a conditional constraint which is imposed on a sensitive net-pair to detach one net from the other or to put another insensitive net between them for shielding. We provide two algorithms which can handle the conditional constraint: One is based on an ILP, which outputs an exact optimum solution. The other is a fast heuristics whose time complexity is O(n2 log n), where n is the number of pins. In experiments, we tested these algorithms for industrial examples. The results showed that the conditional constraint for shielding released algorithms from a tight space of feasible assignments. Our heuristics ran quickly and attained near optimum solutions.

A resonant slit-type probe is proposed in this paper that can improve measurement sensitivity in millimeter-wave scanning near-field microscopy. The probe consists of a rectangular metal waveguide incorporating the following three sections; a straight section at the tip of the probe whose height is much smaller than the operating wavelength; a standard-height waveguide section; a quarter-wave transformer section to achieve impedance-matching between the other sections. The design procedure used for the probe is presented in detail and the performance of the fabricated resonant probe is evaluated experimentally. Experiments performed at U-band frequencies in which we reconstruct 2D images show that the sensitivity of the resonant probe is improved by more than four times compared with a conventional tapered slit-type probe. Some experimental results are compared with those obtained using the finite element method (Ansoft HFSS). Good agreement is demonstrated.

We have determined the thickness and optical constants (refractive index and extinction coefficient) of each layer in the multi-layer organic light emitting diode (OLED) devices based on phosphorescent platinum octaethyl porphine (PtOEP) using a phase modulated spectroscopic ellipsometer. The thickness of each layer estimated from the ellipsometric measurement is different from the thickness measured with quartz oscillator during the evaporation of organic materials. The deviation of total multi-layer thickness is about 5%, while the deviation in each of N, N'-bis(1-naphtyl)-N, N'-diphenyl-1,1'-biphenyl-4,4'-diamine (α-NPD) and aluminum tris 8-hydroxyquinoline (Alq3) layers is about 20-25%. Additionally the spectra of refractive index and extinction coefficient of Alq3 and α-NPD layers are different from those that are measured using the single layer films. These results are understood by penetration of organic material from the neighboring layers in the multi-layer structure devices.

PUE films have been found to exhibit an electrostriction effect. We propose the applying them to a moving device such as an actuator similar to artificial muscles using the electrostriction effect. The actuators are of monomorph type fabricated by PUE film and metal electrodes evaporated at different thickness on the film surfaces. Because these actuators work at a high voltage of more than 1 KV, we controlled the molecular structure of the films by doping C60 or CNT derivatives into PUE so that the actuators could operate under a low voltage. The bends of C60 and CNT-doped actuators were larger than those of non-doped actuators and the working voltage was also low. The force of the actuators increased in proportion to the electric field, and strongly depended on the thickness of the PUE films. Furthermore, in order to clarify the relationship between the stretch of PUE film and the bending mechanism of actuators, we measured the space charge of PUE films using the pulsed electroacoustic method.

This paper presents a dual-frequency microstrip antenna for both 2 GHz and 5 GHz for a dual-band receiver. For a simple structure and low cost design, the microstrip feed circuit is designed on the same substrate as the antenna elements. Each antenna element is directly fed by the microstrip line, and the open stubs are loaded on the feed line of 2 GHz to suppress the higher order mode resonances between 2 GHz and 5 GHz. The feed line length of each antenna is adjusted so as to change it to the open condition at the other element frequency at the feed point. In addition, we propose the antenna structure in which two antenna elements for 2 GHz are split and placed at either sides of the 5 GHz antenna to coincide with the center positions of each antenna element. We investigate the proposed antenna by calculations and measurements to show the combiner free design for the dual band antenna.

We propose a new cell configuration which newly employs discharge deactivation film (DDF). DDF is formed on MgO surface in stripe figure to cover it around the boundary of neighboring display lines. DDF prevents discharge cross talk between the lines even in case of stripe rib structure by virtue of its low secondary electron emission coefficient (γi). DDF also makes better address discharge response because it presumably moves address discharge closer to the surface dischage gap. On behalf of mass productivity for large size PDPs DDF is formed by simple screen-printing and firing method. And it consists of very fine Al2O3 grains without any inorganic binder. Such DDF is visually transparent and then helpful for high luminance and luminous efficiency. In addition to it, such DDF is presumably equipped with gas purifying character and then helpful for deep blue color and good white color balance accordingly. Further, DDF combined with sustain electrodes in specific figure which we call "CAPABLE DDF" brings about so high luminous efficiency for stripe rib structure as it may surpass box rib one. This probably means that vertically open discharge space in stripe rib structure is advantageous for high luminous efficiency. In our latest work for 46 inch-high definition PDPs, 2.1 lm/W and 1200 cd/m2 were both achieved under practical driving condition. Still it will be as high as 2.4 lm/W if each sustain electrode is shared by neighboring display lines. CAPABLE DDF allows more tolerance in DDF printing process. It also makes optical cross talk negligible even in stripe rib structure. And its durability against long time operation proved to have no specific problem. This presumably means that re-landing of sputtered MgO never reaches DDF surface. We believe this new technology can promise the future of stripe rib.

In this letter, a circular microstrip patch antenna with a conical cup is proposed. The results of a simulation and experiment show that the conical cup has a beneficial effect on the antenna's gain and principal plane beamwidths. The maximum gain of this antenna was 12.6 dBi, which is about 3 dB higher than one with a cylindrical cup. The 3-dB beamwidths of the E-and H-planes were 34and 44, respectively.

A bandpass filter (BPF) with shielded inverted microstrip lines (SIMSL), previously demonstrated by the author, has shown the nontrivial asymmetry of filter responses in spite of adopting a conventional filter synthesis procedure. This paper will reveal the mechanism of the asymmetry and propose prescriptions for recovering the defect, in addition to observing the wave propagation property of SIMSL. Firstly, the behavior of phase constants or effective dielectric constants for various modes propagating on single SIMSL are indicated in terms of the line configuration, and the dispersion characteristics of the quasi-TEM mode are interpreted from the point of mode coupling between the pure TEM mode and dielectric slab modes. Then it is shown that the asymmetry is dependent only on the transmission characteristics of SIMSL parallel-coupled lines involved in the filter circuits. Theoretical considerations reveal that the asymmetry is due to the fact that SIMSL has quite different phase constants for the even- and odd-mode. On the basis of these results, the optimized BPF is designed and it is experimentally demonstrated that the symmetry of its responses is notably recovered. Furthermore, this optimization is still quite efficient for achieving high attenuation properties at its harmonics.

This paper presents a new method to improve the resonant characteristics of a microstrip resonator. The improved characteristics have been achieved by inserting two dielectric rods between strip conductor and the ground plane. Dielectric rods to be inserted have higher relative permittivity than that of the substrate. Therefore, it is suitable to realize by Low-Temperature Cofired Ceramics (LTCC) technique. Several model of microstrip resonators employing the proposed method are analyzed by a Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method, and their resonant characteristics are discussed. One of the advantages of the proposed method is that an attenuation pole (fl or fh) in each side of the fundamental resonant frequency (fr) and improved-spurious responses can be realized together by a capacitive-coupling tapped resonator loaded with dielectric rods. The proposed method is also effective to achieve sharp skirt characteristics and wide stopband of a direct-coupling tapped resonator which can be used either as a wideband lowpass filter or a band-elimination filter. Another interesting feature of the analyzed resonators is that about 60% reduction in resonator's length has been obtained compared to a basic half-wavelength (λ/2) microstrip resonator. Therefore, wide exploitation of the proposed method can be expected in the filter design based on the LTCC technique.

A multimode horn with both a low cross-polarization component less than -30 dB and good VSWR characteristics has been realized at frequency bands 8.6-9.8 GHz and 10.75-11.15 GHz. The improved performance of the proposed horn is verified by comparing with the previous dual-band double-flared horn. The design method for such a horn is based on the mode-matching approach combined with the optimization procedure. This paper proposes an objective function taking account of a spill-over loss and a rotational symmetry in the radiated field instead of an ideal radiation pattern. The effectiveness of our horn is verified by comparison between experimental results in the X band and predicted ones.

Scattering of the two dimensional electromagnetic waves is studied by the infinite sequences of zeros arising on the complex plane, which just correspond to the null points of the far field pattern given as a function of the azimuthal angle θ. The convergent sequences of zeros around the point of infinity are evaluated when the scattering objects are assumed to be N-polygonal cylinders. Every edge condition can be satisfied if the locations of zeros are determined appropriately. The parameters, which allow us to calculate the exact positions of zeros, are given by the asymptotic analysis. It is also shown that there are N-directions of convergence, which tend to infinity. An illustrative example is presented.

The WDM optical networks currently being deployed are opaque optical networks, in which each link is optically isolated by transponders. To reduce the number of expensive transponders and switching ports, a hierarchical optical architecture consisting of all-optical waveband switching and opaque OEO switching has been proposed. Although this architecture requires fewer transponders and ports, it also requires a large number of wavelength (waveband) multiplexers and demultiplexers. Switching the optical path solely at the fiber level (i.e., by using fiber cross-connects, or FXCs) is desirable as a way to reduce the total node cost. If all the core nodes in an optical network are FXCs, however, the grooming of wavelengths for the optical fibers is only possible at the edge nodes. This leads to poor utilization of wavelength resources when there is only demand for small numbers of wavelengths, and as a result, the link cost increases. This problem can be solved by adding an OEO grooming function to some of the FXCs. In this paper, we propose an algorithm for designing optical cross-connect (OXC) functions on the basis of the FXC, thus minimizing the total network cost.

The paper reviews methods for the measurement and analysis of high precision surfaces. A number of measurement techniques are discussed with the emphasis on the application of con-focal methods. The various techniques are compared in terms of measurement times, data density, and the ability to detect near vertical surfaces, and steps. The two sensing methods discussed are the auto-focus laser method and the white light methods. Particular applications considered are in the measurement of eroded electrical contact surfaces, spherical and near spherical surfaces, and MEMS. The particular emphasis here is on the metrology of such surfaces and devices and methods for the assessment of complex micro-machined surfaces. The paper points to a number of directions for improved metrology and discusses these in the context of the application given.