Methodologies and synthesis tools for functions filters loaded by complex impedances

The problem of impedance matching in electronics and particularly in RF engineering consists on minimising the reflection of the power that is to be transmitted, by a generator, to a given load within a frequency band. The matching and filtering requirements in classical communication systems are usually satisfied by using a matching circuit followed by a filter. We propose here to design matching filters that integrate both, matching and filtering requirements, in a single device and thereby increase the overall efficiency and compactness of the system. In this work, the matching problem is formulated by introducing convex optimisation on the framework established by the matching theory of Fano and Youla. As a result, by means of modern non-linear semi-definite programming techniques, a convex problem, and therefore with guaranteed optimality, is achieved. Finally, to demonstrate the advantages provided by the developed theory beyond the synthesis of filters with frequency varying loads, we consider two practical applications which are recurrent in the design of communication devices. These applications are, on the one hand, the matching of an array of antennas with the objective of maximizing the radiation efficiency, and on the other hand the synthesis of multiplexers where each of the channel filters is matched to the rest of the device, including the filters corresponding to the other channels.