Work

Auto-Tuning and Self-Calibration of High-Sensitivity Radio Frequency Interferometers

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: We demonstrate a technique that automatically tunes the sensitivity of a radio-frequency (RF) interferometer with a tunable liquid attenuator by accurately changing its liquid volume. The obtained effective quality factor (Qeff) of the interferometer is up to 1 × 108at ~5 GHz. The Qeffis ~100 times higher than previously reported results. When material-under-test (MUT), i.e., methanol-water solution in this work, is used for the tuning, a self-calibration and measurement process is demonstrated from 2 to 7.5 GHz at a methanol concentration level down to 5 × 10-5mole fraction, which is 100 times lower than previously reported results. Further investigations are needed to achieve better system stability and higher sensitivity.

Source: IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters

DOI: 10.1109/lmwc.2016.2615358

Authors: Yan Cui, Pingshan Wang

Institution: Clemson University

Language: English

Topic: Microwave and Dielectric Measurement Techniques

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Award: Label-free RF Imaging of Cell Membrane Heterogeneity in Liquid