Electromagnetic and thermal investigation of RF devices

This paper investigates different topologies of active heat-sink antenna combining electromagnetic and cooling functions within RF devices. Each topology of antenna is presented and its performance analysed. In addition, a thermal imaging technique has been developed, with respect to electro-thermal design of RF devices, for determining the power loss distribution through transmission lines as a function of the input-output impedance of power amplifiers, line features, and operating frequency. The technique is described and illustrated by different results.