Theory and Design of Parametrically Tuned Electrically Small Receiving Antennas

Abstract

Electrically small antenna (ESAs) are a fundamental component of size-constrained communication systems. Digital devices also play an important role in modern communication systems, and significant improvements to digital hardware over the past 50 years has resulted in increased performance and size reduction of the digital components. However, ESAs themselves suffer from fundamental physical limitations, often making them the single most restrictive component on modern communications systems' performance and size. Some researchers have turned to using nonlinear and time-varying (non-LTI) devices to circumvent the bandwidth limits on ESAs to improve signal throughput. Most of these efforts have been on transmitting systems, and converting these solutions to receivers is often unfeasible. This work addresses the lack of novel methods for circumventing the bounds on ESA performance by leveraging classic parametric amplification to tune ESAs to resonance while improving their bandwidth. Using multiple simulation methods, three different parametrically tuned antennas are designed and analyzed, with one resulting in a sixfold increase in bandwidth compared to the same antenna without the parametric tuning. Additionally, a model is established for parametrically tuned ESAs, and is used to analyze the optimal performance for such antennas.