The paper considers the protection of critical radio-electronic equipment (REE) from ultrashort pulses (USP) by means of modal filters (MFs). A new approach to improve modal filtration by using reflection symmetry is analyzed. The results of a sophisticated research into protective devices based on reflection symmetric MFs are presented: improving the characteristics of four MFs through optimization both by one and simultaneously by several criteria; calculating the per-unit-length time delays matrix of a reflection symmetric MF using the obtained analytical expressions; calculating the time and frequency responses of an MF with and without losses in conductors and dielectric; developing the laboratory evaluation board; analyzing the effect of moisture protection on the characteristics; analyzing the features of reflection symmetry structures; comparing microstrip and reflection symmetric four-conductor MFs. The obtained results allow us to argue that the reflection symmetric MF protects REE from a USP due to its decomposition into a sequence of pulses with pairwise equalized voltage amplitudes and close time intervals between decomposition pulses with an attenuation coefficient of four times with a controlled bandwidth of a useful signal. This research helps take advantage of the possibilities of using the symmetry to improve modal filtering and opens the ways to create a large number of new MF designs, applying only the principles of the symmetry described in the work.

For the first time, the paper considers in a unified work the possibility of the appearance of additional pulses in various structures based on modal filtration technology, which is used to improve protection against ultrashort pulses (USP). We analyzed meander lines (ML) with broad-side coupling, structures with modal reservation (MR), reflection symmetric MLs, and modal filters (MF) with a passive conductor in the reference plane cutout and obtained the following results. It was found that the main reason for the additional pulses to appear in these structures is the introduction of asymmetry (of the cross-section, boundary conditions, and excitation). It is theoretically and experimentally established that additional pulses are a new resource for increasing the efficiency of protective devices with modal decomposition, but the highest effectiveness could be achieved through careful optimization.

The redundancy of functional blocks and critical assemblies in radio-electronic equipment is among the most widely used techniques for increasing reliability. Complex redundant systems raise the problem of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). Ignoring EMC requirements can lead to partial or complete REE failures. In this paper, the authors analyze a noise-protective electrical circuit with triple modal reservation (a promising type of cold redundancy). A multilayer stripline is investigated, the conductors of which are symmetrically arranged relative to two planes. On account of the strong electromagnetic coupling, this protective circuit can decompose dangerous ultra-wideband (UWB) interference received at the input of the primary or redundant circuits into unipolar pulses of lower amplitude. Using this approach, due to the symmetry of the conductors, equal decomposition efficiency could be achieved. However, the effect of UWB interference at the input of one of the conductors produces bipolar pulses at the output of the other conductors. In this paper, the authors evaluate the dangers of unipolar and bipolar decomposed pulses and use modal analysis to mathematically determine the polarities and amplitudes of the decomposed pulses at all output nodes for a pseudo-matched structure. By using the quasistatic approach with and without losses, the time responses to a trapezoidal pulse with a total duration of 60 ps, which simulates UWB interference, are obtained. To confirm the results of modal analysis and quasistatic simulation, an experimental study is performed. Using a stroboscopic oscilloscope DSA 8300, the authors obtained a transient response to a step excitation. Then, taking the derivative, the response to a trapezoidal pulse with a total duration of 140 ps was obtained. To analyze the criticality of the decomposed pulses, N-norms are used. In the general case, it is shown that the UWB interference is decomposed into four pulses of lower amplitude. At the same time, the value of each N-norm indicates its significant attenuation. For example, the amplitude of the UWB pulse acting on the input of the reserved conductor decreases by 10.31–8.93 times. Such results numerically demonstrate the high efficiency of the suggested approach when it comes to protecting equipment against UWB interference. It is also shown that the probability of dielectric breakdown and damage to electronic components in redundant circuits is lower than in a primary circuit. This is due to the fact that the value of N₃ in the redundant circuit is 2.38 times less than in the primary circuit. However, the results demonstrate that arcing is highly probable both in primary and redundant circuits. Finally, aspects of symmetry/asymmetry in the problem under investigation are emphasized.

This article presents a novel routing technique for designing microwave transmission lines (TLs) that provide improved functionality. Unlike traditional practices, we propose locating two independent traces close to each other, resulting in strong electromagnetic coupling and potential unwanted crosstalk between traces. However, we show that the suggested routing schemes can significantly increase the ultra-wideband interference immunity of electrical circuits by using modal distortions and reflections, as demonstrated in our study of four prototypes of TLs in the form of serpentine and spiral designs with strong and weak coupling between pairs. To better predict and analyze the microwave behavior in such TLs, we used new simulation techniques based on the $N$ -norms study. Our investigation of these TLs in a transverse electromagnetic cell in the frequency range from 10 MHz to 5.3 GHz showed a low level of radiated emissions. The results indicate that the serpentine scheme with strong coupling between pairs provides the best protection of two independent TLs against ultra-wideband interferences. Moreover, the used electrodynamic approach is in full agreement with the experimental study, further validating the effectiveness of the proposed routing technique.

This work is devoted to the research of new asymmetry effects in symmetric protective structures with triple modal reservation. We analyzed the structures with different cross-sectional locations of the reference conductor: in the center (unshielded structure), around (shielded structure), at the top and bottom (multilayer printed circuit board), and in the form of side polygons (double-sided printed circuit board). First, a preliminary quasi-static simulation was performed in the range of parameters. It was revealed that in all structures, except for the shielded one (in the form of a cable), the deviations of the output voltage amplitude, bandwidth, and frequency of the first resonance were insignificant, whereas in the shielded structure there were significant deviations in the time and frequency responses. The attenuation of the output voltage in relation to the input for each structure was also estimated. In addition, we performed a parametric optimization of the structures under consideration using a heuristic search, which made it possible to improve their characteristics. Finally, the switching order between the conductors in these structures with the original and optimized parameter sets was investigated in detail. The optimal conductor switching order in the case of a component failure was determined, and the best (according to protective characteristics) parameter configuration for each structure was found.

Two new simple printed structures providing low-cost and effective protection against ultrawide band pulses are proposed. The possibility of the 20 times attenuation for the structure of asymmetrical modal filter without resistors is shown. The possibility of the 2.5 times attenuation for another widely spread structure - a widely spread turn of a meander line - is demonstrated. Devices based on the proposed structures will be reliable, cheap and radiation-resistant due to the absence of any components.