Optimality of Bang-Bang Switching for Breaking the Chu Limit via Time-Modulated Matching

Abstract

This paper shows that surpassing the Chu limit on $Q$-factors via time-modulated matching requires non-smooth switching strategies. We derive a nonlinear differential condition to show that differentiable modulation functions are sub-optimal, then show that the optimal switching trajectory for maximizing the violation of the Chu limit is a piecewise-constant (Bang-Bang) profile. Finally, we establish an upper-bound connecting the antenna size, switching speed, and bit error rate, which reveals that switching time becomes longer as antennas become electrically smaller.

Accepted to the IEEE Asilomar conference 2026