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4GHZ LOW NOISE AMPLIFIER FOR SATELLITE DOWNLINK
COMMUNICATION
NORNABILA BINTI MD NOR
This Report Is Submitted In Partial Fulfillment Of The Requirements For The Award
Of Bachelor Of Degree Electronic Engineering (Telecommunication Electronic)
With Honors
Faculty of Electronic Engineering & Computer Engineering
Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka
JUNE 2014
ii
UNIVERSTI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA
FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN ELEKTRONIK DAN KEJURUTERAAN KOMPUTER
BORANG PENGESAHAN STATUS LAPORAN
PROJEK SARJANA MUDA II
Tajuk Projek : 4GHZ LOW NOISE AMPLIFIER FOR SATELLITE DOWNLINK COMMUNICATION
Sesi Pengajian :
1 3 / 1 4
Saya NORNABILA BINTI MD NOR mengaku membenarkan Laporan Projek Sarjana Muda ini disimpan di Perpustakaan dengan syarat-syarat kegunaan seperti berikut:
1. Laporan adalah hakmilik Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka.
2. Perpustakaan dibenarkan membuat salinan untuk tujuan pengajian sahaja.
3. Perpustakaan dibenarkan membuat salinan laporan ini sebagai bahan pertukaran antara institusi
pengajian tinggi.
4. Sila tandakan ( √ ) :
SULIT*
*(Mengandungi maklumat yang berdarjah keselamatan atau kepentingan Malaysia seperti yang termaktub di dalam AKTA RAHSIA RASMI 1972)
TERHAD**
**(Mengandungi maklumat terhad yang telah ditentukan oleh organisasi/badan di mana penyelidikan dijalankan)
TIDAK TERHAD
Disahkan oleh:
__________________________ ___________________________________
(TANDATANGAN PENULIS) (COP DAN TANDATANGAN PENYELIA)
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” I, hereby declare that this report is the result of my own work except for quotes as
cited in the references.”
Signature : ..……………………………..
Author : NORNABILA BINTI MD NOR
Date : 03 JUNE 2014
iv
“I hereby declare that I have read this report and in my opinion this report is
sufficient in terms of the scope and quality for the award of Bachelor of Electronic
Engineering (Telecommunication Electronic) with Honors”
Signature : ....………………………………
Supervisor Name : DR MOHD AZLISHAH BIN OTHMAN
Date : 03 JUNE 2014
v
For the most beloved and supporting parents,
MD NOR BIN HJ ALIAS
ROPE’NGAH BINTI JANTAN
Dedicated, in thankful appreciation for the support, encouragement, love and understanding.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Alhamdulillah, all praise to Allah SWT, God Almighty, Most Merciful for
His guidance, blessing and by his will the project is successfully finished. A million
thanks to my beloved family, who gives me encouragement and moral supported
throughout the project. Without the encouragement and moral supported , the project
will not be succeeded. Their trust and conviction towards me will always inspire me
to become honestly in knowledge and never give up whatever happened towards
especially during realization this final project. It is to them that I dedicate this work.
Generally, I personally gratitude to my supervisor; Dr Mohd Azlishah Bin
Othman for His wide knowledge and critical thinking has helped me in a lot of way
in completing this project. This project is done by his guidance and supervision and
he has helped me understand the task at hand that has to be done.
I would like to extend my thankfulness to my fellow friends,classmates for
never ending reminding me to always be confident and strive till the end during
finishing this project. Last but not least,thank you for all the people who have helped
me intentionally or unintentionally with my work and for their cooperation, support
and encouragement.
vii
ABSTRACT
Communication is the most important in our life through rapidly with
technology.Since, there are many ways to communicate even through the
world.Satellite is one of the part of communication that consist of uplink and
downlink.This project will design for downlink satellite at C-Band indicate in
microwave spectrum frequency with frequeny 4GHz.This Low Noise Amplifier
(LNA) which is located at the front-end of the receiver(ground station). Low Noise
Amplifier functioned to amplify the firsts amplication signal and to reduce the noise
in the received signal.This will make it harder for the system to read the signal. The
objective of this project is to design a LNA with operating frequency at 4GHz. The
goal of noise figure(nf2) less than 1.3 dB and gain is over than 10 dB. GaAS FET
transistor ATF-54143 from Avago Technology will be used as one of the part Low
Noise Amplifier because it meet the specifications Avago Technology and able to
used for satellite downlink communication. The simulation for this project will be
using Advance Design System 2011. This LNA input and output match by using
single stub technique and fabricated by using microstrip technology FR4 as a
material. The design was successfully achieved with noise figure(nf2) 1.182dB and
reasonable gain(S21) 11.112dB.
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ABSTRAK
Komunikasi adalah yang paling penting dalam kehidupan kita seiring dengan
kepesatan teknologi.Disebabkan itu , terdapat banyak cara untuk berkomunikasi
walaupun dengan perhubungan diseluruh dunia.Satelite adalah salah satu sebahagian
daripada komunikasi yang terdiri daripada ‘uplink’ dan ‘downlink’ yang terletak
stesen bumi.Projek ini akan mereka bentuk untuk pautan turun satelit di C -Band
menunjukkan dalam spektrum frekuensi gelombang mikro dengan 4GHz.Frekuesi
Bunyi Rendah Amplifier (LNA) yang terletak di bahagian depan yang penerima
(stesen tanah) . Fungsi utama LNA adalah untuk memberi isyarat pertama meluaskan
dan mengurangkan bunyi dalam isyarat yang diterima. Objektif projek adalah untuk
mereka bentuk LNA yang menggunakan frekuensi 4GHz dan angka bunyi yang
disasarkan adalah kurang daripada 1.3 dB dan gandaan lebih besar daripada 10 dB.
Transistor GaAS FET ATF - 54143 dari Avago Teknologi akan digunakan untuk
mereka bentuk LNA kerana ia memenuhi spesifikasi dari Avago Teknologi untuk
reka bentuk LNA bagi aplikasi satelit. Simulasi untuk projek ini akan menggunakan
Rekabentuk Sistem Advance 2011 . Pada LNA input dan output perlawanan dengan
menggunakan teknik puntung tunggal dan direka dengan menggunakan teknologi
mikrostrip dan FR4. Reka bentuk itu berjaya mencapai angka hingar ( nf2 ) 1.182dB
dan gandaan ( S21 ) 11.112dB .
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER TITLE PAGE
PROJECT TITLE
STATUS REPORT FORM
STUDENT DECLARATION
SUPERVISOR DECLARATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
ABSTRACT
ABSTRAK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLE
LIST OF FIGURES
LIST OF APPENDICES
i
ii
iii
iv
vi
vii
viii
ix
xiii
xiv
xv
I INTRODUCTION
1.1 Project Background
1.2 Problem Statement
1.3 Objective
1.4 Scope of Project
1.5 Thesis Outline
1
1
2
3
4
4
4
II LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Satellite Frequency Bands
2.2 Satellite Communication
2.3 Low Noise Amplifier
6
6
8
8
x
2.4 Transistor
2.5 Conclusion
10
12
III
METHODOLOGY 3.1 ATF54143
3.2 Project Planning
3.3 Design Specification
3.4 Design Architecture
3.5 Process Design Flow
3.6 Design Low Noise Amplifier
3.6.1 DC Bias Network
3.6.2 S-parameter
3.6.3 Two Port Network
3.6.4 Stability
3.6.5 Noise Figure
3.6.6 Input and Output Matching
3.6.6.1 Single Stub Matching
3.7 Advance Design System (ADS 2011)
3.8 Fabrication Process
3.9 Measurement Setup
3.10 Performance Trade-off in LNA design
3.11 Conclusion
13
13
14
15
15
17
17
19
19
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
29
30
31
IV RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 S-parameter
4.2 Stability
4.3 Reflection Source (Γs ) and Reflection Load(ΓL)
4.4 Reflection Coefficient at the input and output
4.5 Gain
4.5.1 Power Gain
32
32
33
33
33
34
34
4.5.2 Transducer Power Gain
4.5.3 Available Power Gain
34
34
xi
4.6 LNA Simulation Results
4.6.1 Stability
4.6.2 DC Biasing
4.6.3 Input and output matching
4.7 Schematic View of LNA design
4.7.1 Circuit Description
4.7.2 S-parameters result
4.7.3 Performance summary of LNA
4.8 Layout of LNA Design
4.8.1 Layout consideration
4.8.2 DRC and LVS
4.9 Prototype Fabricated
4.10 Discussion
4.11 Conclusion
35
35
36
39
41
41
42
43
45
45
46
46
47
49
V
CONCLUSION AND FUTURE WORK 5.1 Conclusion
5.2 Future Work
REFERENCES
Appendix A: Input Matching Smith Chart
Appendix B: Output Matching Smith Chart
Appendix C: ATF-54143 Data Sheet
50
50
51
52
55
56
57
xii
LIST OF TABLE
NO TITLE PAGE
2.1 Bands available for fixed satellite 7
2.2 CMOS vs PHEMT 9
3.1 Stability and criteria of transistor 22
4.1 S-parameters at 4GHz from simulation 32
4.2 Comparison Before Matching and After Matching 44
4.3 Comparison between design target and simulation 44
4.4 List of Component 46
xiii
LIST OF FIGURE
NO TITLE PAGE
2.1 The microwave spectrum 7
2.2 Basic block diagram of RF 9
3.1 Gantt Chart 14
3.2 Flowchart of Project methodology 16
3.3 General flow of low noise amplifier design 18
3.4 LNA block diagram 18
3.5 S-parameter representation of two-port network diagrams 20
3.6 Two-port network diagrams 21
3.7 Stability of two-port networks 22
3.8 Single-stub matching circuits (a) Shunt stub;
(b) Series stub
26
3.9 Advance Design System 2011 27
3.10 Fabrication Process; (a)LNA print layout; (b) UV Exposure unit
; (c) Etching machine; (d) Stripping machine
(a)27;
(b);(c);(d)28
3.11 Setup equipment testing 29
3.12 Trade-off of LNA design 30
4.1 Stability of design 36
4.2 Voltage divider biasing 37
4.3 Voltage divider with lumped componen 37
4.4
(a)Transistor tested by using curve trace ; (b) IV characteristics of the transistor
38
4.5 LNA schematic design 41
xiv
4.6 Stability 42
4.7 Input reflection(S11) and Output reflection(S22) 42
4.8 S12(isolation) and S21(gain) simulation results 43
4.9 Noise figure(nf2) simulation results. 43
4.10 LNA layout design 45
4.11 LNA prototype 47
xv
LIST OF APPENDICES
NO TITLE PAGE A Input Matching Smith Chart 53
B Output Matching Smith Chart 54
C ATF-54143 Data Sheet 55
1
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Project Background
There are one parts of communication in RF repeater known as satellite. A
carrier begins at a transmit terminal with an effective isotropic radiated power,
arrives at the satellite to be amplified by a transponder high-power amplifier (HPA),
and then goes downlink to a receive terminal [1].At the earth station, the instrument
consist of dish antenna at transmitter carries high frequency 6GHz meanwhile the
receiver carries 4GHz of micro wave signals. Ground station can transmit and
receive the signals while the others can only receive high directivity signals and a
high gain antenna is necessary at the earth station due the loss and the transmission
very high [2]. Meanwhile, it is important to have a low noise amplifier before the
mixer stage at receiving end a parabolic dish antenna provides a high gain, thus
amplifies the signal power. The uplink is affected by the satellite antenna and LNA
noises, and the downlink is affected by the receive terminal antenna and LNA noises.
The end-to-end noise-to-signal power ratio is additive in those of uplink.
2
Low Noise Amplifier is one of the RF Receiver links that functioned to
amplify the received signal in front end receiver especially. Initially, Low Noise
Amplifier is one of the key components used to dominate the sensitivity of the
complete receiver. The received signal might be very weak and the Low Noise
Amplifier used to amplify the signal without injects much noise from the Low Noise
Amplifier itself. This LNA is usually placed close to the detection device (antenna)
to reduce losses and to avoid degradable of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). A good
Low Noise Amplifier adds as little noise as possible to the signal and has high gain.
Since the satellite downlink receiver operating with frequency 4GHZ (received
signal) is weak, the LNA design to provide major gain with minimum the noise that
flow to the system and boost the antenna signal.
The selective transistor is necessary it to calculate the value of s-parameters
before simulation done. The s-parameters use to match impedance for minimum
noise figure because s-parameters use for high frequency circuit. At last but not least,
this report will force designer to design complexity the schematic and layout of
LNA. To design LNA some parameter highlighted includes noise , input output
matching, stability, linearity and gain that which will affect the performance of the
entire receiver.For this project, the LNA are design by using a ATF54143 transistor
from Avago Technologies and simulated by using Advance Design System 2011
software by Agilent Technologies. This project will deals mostly with Low Noise
Amplifier design, fabricating and testing the amplifier using Vector Network
Analyzer.
1.2 Problem Statement
In satellite communication system,the earth station receiving antenna will
connect to a Low Noise Amplifier due to the received signal is weak and the received
signal is usually a little above background noise.In addition, the LNA boosts the
antenna signal to compensate for the feedline losses going from the (outdoor)
antenna to the (indoor) antenna.Generally,the RF performance of the Low Noise
Amplifier is quite good as it able to achieve the reasonable gain and provides low
noise figure.Due for the different biasing circuit,active biasing circuit does not offer
3
much advantage compare to the passive biasing circuit.The only improvement
detected and recorded is the noise figure performance of the Low Noise Amplifier
with active biasing circuit. The matching networks using microstrip stub element
matching is easier to design, simple and cost savings compare to two other matching.
By using high performance devices such as the ATF-54143, however, circuits
designed on FR4 material can meet the customer‟s requirements for noise figure,
gain and linearity. The biggest benefit to customers is the lower cost of the FR4
material. This is a critical concern for customers‟ main production.
1.3 Objective
There are several objectives during designing this Low Noise Amplifier. The
objectives include:
1. To study the characteristic and the specification of low noise
amplifier (LNA) for satellite communication at 4GHz.
2. To design and simulate a low noise amplifier by using Advance
Design System 2011.
3. To fabricate a low noise amplifier by using microstrip technology.
4
1.4 Scope of Projects
The scope of project is explore varies topologies of low noise amplifier and
identify the most suitable method to satisfy the design target. Scope of this project
can be separated into three parts:
1. Simulation-It will be done by varied parameters using Advanced Design
System (ADS) in order to get required results which are close to the
theoretical results.
2. Fabricating-The fabrication of the Low Noise Amplifier, PCB laminate
(e.g:FR4 board), components, etching facilities.
3. Test analysis-A test analysis is the last stage in this project. The performance
of the designed amplifier circuit is verified on board using RF testing
equipment such as the vector network analyzer and cable.
1.5 Thesis Outline
The thesis is divided to five chapters and covers covering the research works
that have been through for Low Noise Amplifier circuit design.
1. Chapter 1 is introduces the concept of the project, which is a brief the
introduction for the satellite and Low Noise Amplifier. Several objectives are
made to achieve the designing LNA.
2. Chapter 2 briefs the literature review of the basic concepts in Low Noise
Amplifier circuit design. All the overview of this chapter will describes the
techniques and procedures for design by making a various type of research.
5
3. Chapter 3 describes the design and simulation process and method that will
be used. The transistor GaAS FET ATF54143 selected and Advance Design
System 2011 used to simulate the LNA to obtain low noise figure and
reasonable high gain.
4. Chapter 4 will report the simulation and measurement. This chapter also
includes discussion from simulation and measurement results.
5. Chapter 5 concludes the research works that have been carried and gives
suggestion for future development of the research project.
6
CHAPTER II
LITERATURE REVIEW
This Chapter will review the basic concept during designing Low Noise
Amplifier circuit. Research has been done study include:
1) Satellite Frequency Bands
2) Satellite Communication
3) Low Noise Amplifier
4) Transistor
2.1 Satellite Frequency Bands
Radio Frequency (RF) devices are designed to operate at radio frequencies
bands with various types of spectrum frequency.For this project , Low Noise
Amplifier operates at downlink at 4GHz indicated at C-bands.[3]. Satellite C-band
usually transmits (uplink) around 6 GHz and receives(downlink) around 4 GHz[4].
7
Figure 2.1: The microwave spectrum
From the microwave spectrum, C band was the first part of the spectrum to be
applied extensively to satellite communications and still extensively used due to the
low cost and wide availability of components and avaibility in heavy rain compare to
high frequency satellite.The Table 2.1 shows the RF Band frequency in satellite
applications.
Table 2.1: Bands available for fixed satellite services
RF Bands Frequency(GHz)
L-Bands 1-2
C-Bands 4-6
Ku-Bands 12-18
Ka-Bands 26.5-40
8
2.2 Satellite Communication
S.Ekpo and D.George [3] in their journal have discussed of 4-8 GHz LNA
Design for a Highly Adaptive Small Satellite Transponder Using InGaAS pHEMT
Technology. Based on this journal, small satellite communication critical due to the
noise level at the receiver. Thus, GaAs pHEMT consist of low noise and high gain in
the frequency band 4-8GHz.A better design that delivers low noise performance,
high gain and low power consumption for space mission. This LNA located in front
receiver satellite successfully developed with high gain 17dB and 0.5dB of noise
figure over the characterised bandwidth.
P.Raj Kumar [4], in this report have discuss and design of L-Band Low Noise
Amplifier by using the ATF34143 GaAS HEMT’s.In His project, a discretely 2-stage
L-band low noise amplifier designed with center frequency 1.25GHz.Next,GaAS
HEMT’s offers low noise figure opposite to MESFET’s and silicon FET’s.This
biasing sections by using radial stubs matching with tapered line. This LNA
successfully developed with high gain 20dB and noise figure 0.17dB.
Curtis L.Mayberry. [5] in his journal 6GHz Low Noise Amplifier Design for
C band application lies in the IEEE. This band suitable for satellite communications.
This LNA design by using transistor pHEMT GaAS FET and operate at 6GHz.This
amplifier need a high gain to effectively amplify the small signals received and to
reduce noise. This amplifier successfully design and fabricated by using Duroid
RO30006 with reasonable gain 13.1dB and noise figure 0.81dB.
2.3 Low Noise Amplifier
There are parts at RF front receiver known as Low Noise Amplifier where it
interchanged part in the microwave system. This Low Noise Amplifier will produce
a minimum noise figure also major gain for entire system. From the Figure 2.2, it is
showed the block diagram of the RF receiver that has been simplified for easier to
understand. Usually, RF filter will filtering the received signals from antenna at front
receiver.
9
After that, RF filter then act with the LNA and this is where LNA function to
amplify the signal before sent to the mixer. The signal with a local-oscillator (LO)
and band pass filter [6] will combine by the mixer. Mixer used to amplify small
signal or generate large signal. The signal will demodulate by demodulator, and then
it will apply to ADC. The affected the performance of LNA especially at receiver are
the case sensitivity for noise parameters [6].
Figure 2.2: Basic block diagram of RF
Low Noise Amplifier merges a low noise figure, reasonable gain and
stability without oscillation entire useful frequency range. The Low Noise Amplifier
always operates in Class A amplifier, typically at 15-20% of its maximum useful
current [7].Class A is characterized by a bias point does not shift. The smallest signal
that can be received by a receiver defines the receiver sensitivity. For large signal
levels, the LNA amplifies the extremely low power levels. The Low Noise Amplifier
design presents a substantial challenge because of its simultaneous requirement for
high gain, low noise figure, good input and output matching and unconditionally
stability at the lowest possible current draw from the amplifier [8].