Integrated Circuits for Radio-Frequency Multi-Beam Beamformers and Receivers

用于射频多波束波束形成器和接收器的集成电路

• 批准号: RGPIN-2018-03855
• 负责人: Belostotski, Leonid
• 金额: $ 3.35万
• 依托单位: University of Calgary
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2019
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2019-01-01 至 2020-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=689301
• 关键词: Integrated; Circuits; Radio; Frequency; Multi

Antenna arrays are a communications technology that has been around since the early 20th century. By properly combining signals received by antennas, the effective radiation pattern (or beam) of the array is reinforced in a desired direction while rejecting signals from other directions. Fifth-generation (5G) wireless systems will utilize wideband antenna arrays to allow for higher network capacities and multi-user communication. The recently opened frequency spectra around 28GHz and 39GHz target upcoming 5G systems and enable a plethora of other applications, such as indoor location, backhaul systems, imaging, and radar. This program will develop innovative beamforming technologies by focusing on novel beamforming methods, which will be experimentally demonstrated via microelectronic integrated circuits (ICs).***Unlike analog phase-and-sum or delay-and-sum approaches that have been adopted by the majority of other antenna-array beamforming solutions, this program will focus on multi-dimensional beamformers that enable more sophisticated beamforming transfer functions, thereby providing an additional degree of freedom in terms of beam bandwidth, orientation, and pattern. This program's long-term goal is to develop a fully integrated multi-beam broadband 5G receiver based on innovative technologies created with the support of the Discovery Grant. The anticipated impact of reaching this goal is the demonstration of solutions that will make 5G and other systems feasible and more adaptable to their environments. ***Over the next 5 years, this program will focus on: a) developing multi-beam beamformer systems capable of forming a large number of wideband, steerable, and parallel radio-frequency beams; b) developing antenna-array-based multi-port receiver systems that, unlike conventional multi-element array receivers, are based on physics-limited array operation; and c) developing multi-port analog-to-digital converters for antenna arrays. These three research thrusts will undoubtedly lead to other innovations at the system and sub-system levels. Practical validation will require innovative signal-generation and distribution systems that are low power and consume low IC area. Similarly, low-power and small-area receivers and analog-to-digital converters are necessary for active multi-antenna-array solutions if they are to be integrated into a single IC. Our research team has demonstrated innovative solutions in these fields and will continue on the path of innovation.***The HQP supported by the Discovery Grant will learn cutting-edge beamforming and circuit techniques, which they will use to develop new technologies, and they will validate their ideas by designing and fabricating circuits, and experimentally verifying them in our laboratory. This program will prepare them for future employment in the Canadian semiconductor industry and academia.

天线阵列是一种自20世纪初以来一直存在的通信技术。通过正确组合天线接收的信号，阵列的有效辐射模式（或光束）朝着所需的方向加固，同时拒绝其他方向的信号。第五代（5G）无线系统将利用宽带天线阵列来允许更高的网络容量和多用户通信。最近打开的频谱在28GHz和39GHz目标即将到来的5G系统附近，并启用了许多其他应用，例如室内位置，回程系统，成像和雷达。该计划将通过专注于新型的光束成型方法来开发创新的光束成型技术，这些方法将通过微电动集成电路（ICS）在实验中证明。***与模拟类似的阶段性或延迟或延迟和湿度不同，这些方法已通过大多数其他天线 - 阵列束缚解决方案采用了多数的束缚，以实现多种多样的启动，以实现多个传播，以实现多个启动，以实现，以实现，以实现，以实现，以实现，以实现，以实现，以实现，以实现，以实现，以实现，以实现，以实现，以实现，以实现，以实现，以实现，以实现该方法，以实现该方法。从而在光束带宽，方向和图案方面提供了额外的自由度。该计划的长期目标是基于在发现赠款的支持下创建的创新技术开发完全集成的多光束宽带5G接收器。实现这一目标的预期影响是解决方案的演示，这些解决方案将使5G和其他系统可行，并且更适合其环境。 ***在接下来的5年中，该程序将重点介绍：a）开发能够形成大量宽带，可检测和平行射频梁的多光束光束形成器系统； b）开发基于天线阵列的多端口接收器系统，该系统与常规的多元素阵列接收器不同，是基于物理限制的阵列操作； c）开发天线阵列的多端口类似物转换器。这三项研究的推力无疑将导致系统和子系统级别的其他创新。实际验证将需要低功率并消耗低IC区域的创新信号生成和分配系统。同样，如果要将其集成到单个IC中，则需要低功率和小面积接收器以及类似于数字的转换器，对于主动多端阵阵列解决方案是必需的。我们的研究团队已经在这些领域展示了创新的解决方案，并将继续进行创新的道路。*** Discovery Grant支持的HQP将学习尖端的束缚和电路技术，他们将用于开发新技术，他们将通过在我们的实验室中设计和制造循环，并在我们的实验室中验证他们的想法。该计划将为他们准备在加拿大半导体行业和学术界将来就业。