Authors
Marvin Onabajo, Miriam Leeser, Cristian Cassella
Abstract
This research aims to create a platform and first hardware prototypes for the co-design of next-generation RF receivers with the ability to suppress both in-channel and adjacent channel interferers without compromising the reception of desired signals. Frequency selective limiters (FSLs) will be designed and fabricated, which can intrinsically distinguish and attenuate interference characterized by power levels higher than a certain threshold. The research utilizes this fundamental capability through the development of fully integrated microelectromechanical system (MEMS) FSLs that can be manufactured with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process compatibility, and that can be deliberately tuned by analog CMOS circuits towards accomplishing the best possible digital signal processing results when operating in crowded spectral environments. To broaden the benefits across wireless system layers, digital coexistence algorithms and adaptive analog front-end circuits will be conceived to strategically tune the operating points of the FSLs and of the receiver circuits towards the highest communication quality.