Optical modulation of harmonics in PIN photodiodes for antenna applications

Positive-Intrinsic-Negative (PIN) diodes have become one of the most popular switching mechanisms for reconfigurable antennas due to their relatively fast actuation at low voltages; however, their propensity to generate harmonic products has limited their implementation in commercial applications where a clean spectrum is of utmost importance. Past attempts at solving the harmonics issue have yielded promising results by introducing microwave filters to the antenna structure to attenuate these harmonic products below noise floor levels [1]. In this study, we take a completely different approach to the harmonic issue and instead leverage the light dependence of PIN photodiodes to modulate the amplitudes of these harmonic products. Through this novel approach, we intend to give these otherwise undesirable frequency components new use and open the doors to novel signaling schemes.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Electrical & Computer Engr

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2023

Author dc:creator

• Muniz Negron, Gabriel Alexis

Contributors dc:contributor

• Bernhard, Jennifer T

• Pin Diode
• Reconfigurable Antenna
• Antenna
• Harmonics
• Microwave
• Photodiodes

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2023 Gabriel Muniz Negron

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/122126

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F122126