Automated design of optimized tunable matching networks in the UHF band

In this paper a new methodology to design optimized digitally-controlled tunable matching networks (TMN) is presented. Conceiving the TMN as a concatenation of basic switching cells, an optimization of the parameters can be carried out using a genetic algorithm. This method minimizes the number of switching elements as well as ensures a near-optimum performance. We will present the design of a generic 300–800 MHz 7-cell TMN with 60% coverage and a specific 3-cell design based on an antenna characterization.