Lookup-Table-Based Automated Rectifier Synthesis

Rectifier design nowadays relies heavily on iterative optimization, which is prone to fall into local minima or end up with no solution. Such a procedure is time-consuming and requires lots of experience from designers. Guided rectifier synthesis with the least engagement of optimization is thus desired. In this article, a lookup-table-based automated rectifier synthesis method is presented. The lookup tables are essentially contour maps of the rectifier performance indicators on a 2-D plane of the absorbed RF power $P_{\mathrm {abs}}$ and the load resistance $R_{\mathrm {L}}$. To establish lookup tables, an improved rectification model is developed, allowing for accurate data generation at any specific coordinate ( $R_{\mathrm {L}},P_{\mathrm {abs}}$ ). High-quality lookup tables are thus established with the equidistant data over the ( $R_{\mathrm {L}},_{}P_{\mathrm {abs}}$ ) plane. Based on the lookup tables, the optimal operating point ( $R_{\mathrm {L}},_{}P_{\mathrm {abs}}$ ) can be straightforwardly identified according to the requirement, facilitating the subsequent diode and topology selection and matching circuit design. The whole design flow is sequential and automated, only engaging fine-tuning in the final stage. Simulation and measurement results validate the proposed methodology.