The Input-Output Equivalent Sources Method for Fast Simulations of Distributed Nonlinearities in Bulk Acoustic Wave...

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Physics

Background:

• Bulk Acoustic Wave (BAW) resonators are crucial for modern electronics, but their performance can be limited by nonlinear (NL) effects.
• Analyzing these nonlinearities, particularly harmonic generation (H) and intermodulation distortion (IMD), is essential for accurate device modeling.
• Existing methods like Harmonic Balance (HB) can be computationally intensive for complex BAW devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel and efficient method for analyzing weak distributed nonlinear effects in BAW resonators and filters.
• To accurately predict harmonic generation and intermodulation products within these devices.
• To provide a computationally faster alternative to existing nonlinear analysis techniques.

Main Methods:

• The proposed method involves calculating equivalent current sources (Input-Output Equivalent Sources - IOES) at harmonic or intermodulation frequencies.
• These IOES are applied to boundary nodes of layers exhibiting nonlinear behavior based on their local constitutive equations.
• The methodology was validated by comparing its performance against the Harmonic Balance (HB) analysis of a discretized nonlinear Mason model.

Main Results:

• The Input-Output Equivalent Sources (IOES) method demonstrated identical accuracy to the Harmonic Balance (HB) analysis.
• A significant reduction in computation time was observed, with the IOES method being approximately 700 times faster for a seventh-order filter simulation.
• The results confirm the efficacy of the IOES method for analyzing nonlinearities in BAW devices.

Conclusions:

• The developed IOES method provides a highly efficient and accurate approach for analyzing nonlinear effects in BAW resonators and filters.
• This new methodology offers a substantial computational advantage over traditional Harmonic Balance methods.
• The IOES technique is a valuable tool for the design and optimization of high-frequency BAW devices operating under nonlinear conditions.