Non-Volatile CBRAM/MIM Switching Technology for Electronically Reconfigurable Passive Microwave Devices

This book presents the applications of non-volatile CBRAM/MIM switching technology for electronically reconfigurable passive RF and microwave devices, together with theory and methods for application in rewritable chipless RFID tags. Conductive Bridging Random Access Memory (CBRAM) is a renowned and commercially used non-volatile memory concept. Having evolved over the past few decades, it is currently identified as an efficient non-volatile RF switching technology.This book presents recent research on this topic, focusing on the development of a new generation of low-cost non-volatile RF switches and their applications, demonstrating both high performance and flexibility of implementation. It includes the experimental realization of various prototypes of RF and microwave devices utilizing this technology, along with relevant analysis of mathematical and electrical models, and detailed discussions of future aspects. All devices presented are compatible with mass industrial production at an economically efficient budget through optimized fabrication steps, without the requirement of sophisticated clean room processes among them.

This book presents the applications of non-volatile CBRAM/MIM switching technology for electronically reconfigurable passive RF and microwave devices, together with theory and methods for application in rewritable chipless RFID tags. Conductive Bridging Random Access Memory (CBRAM) is a renowned and commercially used non-volatile memory concept. Having evolved over the past few decades, it is currently identified as an efficient non-volatile RF switching technology.This book presents recent research on this topic, focusing on the development of a new generation of low-cost non-volatile RF switches and their applications, demonstrating both high performance and flexibility of implementation. It includes the experimental realization of various prototypes of RF and microwave devices utilizing this technology, along with relevant analysis of mathematical and electrical models, and detailed discussions of future aspects. All devices presented are compatible with mass industrial production at an economically efficient budget through optimized fabrication steps, without the requirement of sophisticated "clean room" processes among them.

Preface ixChapter 1. Motivation and Background: RF Switches and the Need for a Non-Volatile RF Switch 11.1. Introduction 11.2. Requirements and definition of a switch at RF and microwave frequencies 21.3. Review of RF and microwave switching technologies 41.3.1. Electromechanical switches: MEMS 61.3.2. Solid-state semiconductor switches 91.3.3. Memristive RF switches 141.4. State of the art of CBRAM/MIM RF switching technology 241.5. Demand for a non-volatile RF switch and selection of CBRAM/MIM technology 301.6. Conclusion 37Chapter 2. Real-World Implementation Challenges of a Low-Cost Non-Volatile RF Switch 412.1. Introduction 412.1.1. Conductive bridging random access memory switches based on nafion as ion conductor 422.2. CBRAM-based fully passive solid-state RF switch on classic RF substrates: design and process optimization 502.2.1. Design of a CBRAM-based shunt mode RF switch 502.2.2. Fabrication process 532.2.3. Results and discussions 572.3. Electrical equivalent model analysis 612.4. Effect of filament resistance of CBRAM switches on RF transmission 632.5. Time stability, switching cycles and other interesting features 662.5.1. Reason for choice of CPW transmission line for presented switch 692.6. Fabrication technique for realization of CBRAM/MIM RF switches on flexible substrates 712.6.1. CBRAM-based fully passive solid-state RF switch on flexible paper substrates 712.6.2. Results and discussion 752.7. Application example: design and realization of solid-state non-volatile SPDT switch 782.8. Conclusion 81Chapter 3. Solid-State Rewritable Chipless RFID Tags: Electronically Rewritable RF Barcodes 833.1. Introduction: chipless RFID technology 833.2. Chipless RFID reader system used in this experiment 853.3. Realization of solid-state electronically rewritable chipless RFID tags 873.3.1. Electronically rewritable chipless RFID tags on classic rigid substrates 883.3.2. Electronically rewritable chipless RFID tags on flexible substrates 933.4. Effect of CBRAM/MIM filament resistance on RCS characteristics of presented electronically rewritable resonators 983.5. Electrical equivalent model of electronically rewritable chipless RFID tags 993.6. Discussion of data encoding strategies for electronically rewritable chipless RFID tags based on CBRAM/MIM technology 1073.7. Advantages of using integrated CBRAM/MIM switches for chipless RFID applications 1113.8. Conclusion 116Chapter 4. Fully Passive Solid-State Electronically Reconfigurable Filter and Antenna Models 1194.1. Introduction 1194.2. CBRAM-MIM switches for electronically reconfigurable filter applications 1194.2.1. Electronically reconfigurable band-stop filter 1204.2.2. Discussion of extension of the proposed idea of CBRAM/MIM RF switching to more efficient filter topologies 1394.3. MIM switches for electronically pattern reconfigurable antenna applications 1464.3.1. Electronically radiation pattern steerable antenna using CBRAM/MIM RF switches (design and fabrication) 1474.4. Advantages of using proposed CBRAM RF switch technology for reconfigurable antenna and filter applications 1624.5. Conclusion 165Conclusion 167Appendix 171References 181Index 195