Time-Varying Matching Networks for Signal-Centric Systems

A time-varying matching network is proposed for signal-centric systems. This matching network achieves significantly higher bandwidth than conventional designs with the same circuit topology and complexity. This is achieved by exploiting information about the incident pulse. Time-varying elements control the initial conditions of the reactive components so that excellent matching is obtained over a very wide frequency range. In particular, experimental and theoretical results show that a single-stage LC ladder with one single-pole double-through switch achieves a nearly perfect match with negligible dispersion for a monocycle with a 10:1 10-dB bandwidth. Unlike conventional matching networks, time-varying designs are not limited by Bode-Fano gain-bandwidth restrictions, but only by the nonidealities of their circuit components. Moreover, it is experimentally shown that tunable time-varying designs reduce the reflected energy by 40%-45% and improve the transmitted energy efficiency of the same monocycles by 20%-25% compared to conventional tunable designs of the same complexity.