CAREER: Non-Reciprocally-Coupled Load-Modulation Platform for Next-Generation High-Power Magnetic-Less Fully-Directional Radio Front Ends

职业：用于下一代高功率无磁全向无线电前端的非互易耦合负载调制平台

基本信息

批准号：
2239207
负责人：
Kenle Chen
金额：
$ 50万
依托单位：
The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees
依托单位国家：
美国
项目类别：
Continuing Grant
财政年份：
2023
资助国家：
美国
起止时间：
2023-03-01 至 2028-02-29
项目状态：
未结题

来源：
https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2239207&HistoricalAwards=false
关键词：
CAREER Non Reciprocally Coupled Load

项目摘要

The exacerbating congestion and overcrowding of wireless spectrum strongly demand new spectrally efficient communication system architectures, e.g., full duplex and massive multi-input multi-output (mMIMO). These emerging systems necessitate fully-directional radiofrequency (RF) front-ends, which normally involve bulky and expensive magnetic devices for a critical function of signal circulation/isolation at the antenna interface. Although the non-magnetic counterparts promise chip-level integration with massive manufacturability, their very low power-handling capability remains as the bottleneck. This CAREER project aims to fundamentally unleash the high-power operation of non-magnetic non-reciprocal devices though a new paradigm of indirect signal circulation/isolation integrated into the prevailing load-modulation power amplifiers (PAs), named Non-Reciprocally-Coupled Load Modulation (NRC-LM). More broadly, this ‘indirect’ design paradigm can be generalized to other power-sensitive devices, e.g., tunable filters, acoustic-wave filters, and switches, which could enable high-power frequency-agile RF front-ends and impact the field of cognitive radios. Beyond the technological frontiers, this research will address the nation’s core interests in spectrum sustainability and ubiquitous coverage of high-speed connectivity, potentially leading to immense economic benefits. Moreover, by enhancing the efficiency of PAs (the most energy-consuming unit on all wireless platforms) with NRC-LM, the energy efficiency and environmental impacts of the entire wireless ecosystem can be improved. The impact of this research will be further expanded through several educational and outreach activities: (1) The RF/microwave curricula at the University of Central Florida will be enhanced with new class modules. (2) Diverse mentoring and outreach programs will be designed to attract students of underrepresented minority groups in STEM, thus preparing a new diverse workforce for the RF industry. (3) The engagement of undergraduate students in RF/microwave research will be promoted through a comprehensive set of intriguing efforts. (4) To stimulate interests from K-12 students and general public, a series of “demystifying wireless communications” mini lectures will be designed, exhibited in outreach activities, and disseminated on social media platforms. The objective of this CAREER project is to establish the theoretical foundation and practical design methodologies for high-power magnetic-less fully-directional RF front-ends based on NRC-LM. By leveraging a unique characteristic of active load modulation, the circulator placement is transformed from the high-power node of PA output to an inner low-power node, while maintaining the critical signal circulation/isolation behavior. This transformation not only inherently eliminates the unaffordable power stress on non-magnetic circulator but also greatly mitigates the impact of its unforgiven loss and non-linearity on the overall transmitter. The proposed research comprehensively spans over theory, design practice, and system architecture: (1) As a foundation of practical designs, the new NRC-LM theory in terms of directional transmission and reception will be systematically established and generalized to all existing load-modulation modes. (2) Moreover, mixed digital-RF design in conjunction with advanced multi-input NRC-LM transmitter architecture will be investigated to synergize an optimal cooperation between non-magnetic circulator and active LM at arbitrary in-band frequencies, pushing extreme bandwidth, efficiency, linearity, dynamic range, etc. (3) Meanwhile, a novel quadrature-commutated circulator is proposed to offer ultra-wide bandwidth, watt-level power handling, and low loss. (4) Furthermore, innovative system-level designs will be studied to integrate the NRC-LM-based front-ends into mMIMO (antenna-array-based) and full-duplex systems, which can lead to unprecedented spectrum and energy efficiencies as well as multi-band and multi-standard capabilities. Overall, the success of this research will significantly enhance the next-generation spectrum- and energy-efficient communications.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

无线频谱拥塞和过度拥挤的加剧需要新的频谱强通信系统架构，例如全双工和大规模多输入多输出（mMIMO），这些新兴系统需要全定向高效射频（RF）前端。尽管非磁性对有望实现芯片级集成并具有大规模的可制造性，但它们涉及笨重且昂贵的磁性器件，以实现天线接口处的信号循环/隔离的关键功能。非常低的功率处理能力仍然是瓶颈。该职业项目旨在通过集成到流行的负载调制功率放大器中的间接信号循环/隔离的新范例，从根本上释放非磁性非互易器件的高功率运行。（PA），称为非互耦负载调制（NRC-LM）更广泛地说，这种“间接”设计范例可以推广到其他功率敏感设备，例如，可调谐滤波器、声波滤波器和开关，可以实现高功率频率捷变射频前端并影响认知无线电领域，除了技术前沿之外，这项研究还将解决国家在频谱可持续性和无处不在方面的核心利益。此外，通过 NRC-LM 提高 PA（所有无线平台上最耗能的单元）的效率，可以提高整个无线生态系统的能源效率和环境影响。这项研究的影响将通过多项教育和推广活动进一步扩大：(1) 中佛罗里达大学的射频/微波课程将通过新的课程模块得到加强。(2) 多样化的指导和推广计划。旨在吸引 STEM 领域代表性不足的少数群体的学生，从而为 RF 行业培养新的多元化劳动力 (3) 将通过一系列有趣的努力促进本科生参与 RF/微波研究 (4)。 ) 激发兴趣针对 K-12 学生和公众，将设计一系列“揭秘无线通信”迷你讲座，在展览、推广活动中进行，并在社交媒体平台上传播。该职业项目的目标是建立理论基础和实践设计。基于NRC-LM的高功率无磁全定向射频前端方法通过利用有源负载调制的独特特性，将环行器放置从PA输出的高功率节点转变为内部节点。低功耗节点，同时保持关键的信号循环/隔离行为，这种转换不仅从本质上消除了非磁性环行器上无法承受的功率压力，而且还大大减轻了其不可原谅的损耗和非线性对整个发射机的影响。研究全面涵盖理论、设计实践和系统架构：（1）作为实际设计的基础，将系统地建立定向发射和接收方面的新NRC-LM理论，并将其推广到所有现有的(2) 此外，将研究混合数字射频设计与先进的多输入 NRC-LM 发射机架构，以在任意带内频率下协同非磁环行器和有源 LM 之间的最佳合作，极限带宽、效率、线性度、动态范围等。 (3) 同时，提出了一种新型正交换向环行器，以提供超宽带宽、瓦级功率处理和低损耗 (4) 此外，将研究创新的系统级设计，将基于 NRC-LM 的前端集成到 mMIMO（基于天线阵列）和全双工系统中，这可以带来前所未有的频谱和能源效率以及多频段和总体而言，这项研究的成功将显着增强下一代频谱和节能通信。该奖项反映了 NSF 的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响进行评估，认为值得支持。审查标准。