Attenuation of an Ultrashort Pulse in a Folded Meander Microstrip Line
With Two Passive Conductors
Abstract
In this study, we investigated a new structure of a protective
meander line (ML): a meander microstrip line (MSL) with two passive
conductors. The existing theory of ultra-short pulse (USP) attenuation
in MLs is presented for the first time. Based on this theory, we
determined the number of decomposed pulses at the output of the MSL line
with two passive conductors, and, for the first time, formulated the
conditions for pulse decomposition in the line. The folding of the MSL
line into non-core turns was studied in detail. As a result of this
study, we proposed a new theory that involves the utilization of
additional groups of decomposed pulses for enhanced USP attenuation.
These additional groups were thoroughly examined, and the delays of
pulses from these groups were defined. This analysis allowed identifying
the reason for their appearance. It was revealed that folding the
meander line into non-core turns allows further attenuation of the USP
amplitude, which increases with the increase of the number of non-core
turns. To validate the obtained simulation results, we performed
experimental measurements and obtained good consistency of the results.
The N-norms analysis demonstrated that combined use of such
folding and passive conductors reduces the probability of electrical
breakdown, arc discharge, and dielectric breakdown. The maximum USP
attenuation at the output was 24.9 dB. As a result of useful signal
integrity analysis, it is proposed to use a folded meander microstrip
line (MSL) together with a USB 2.0 “Full-speed” interface with a data
transfer rate of 12 Mbit/s. In addition, it is proposed to use such MSLs
in DC power circuits.
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