RF/Microwave Smart Sensors for the Next Generation of Real-time Detection and Control

用于下一代实时检测和控制的射频/微波智能传感器

• 批准号: RGPIN-2022-03028
• 负责人: Abbasi, Zahra
• 金额: $ 2.11万
• 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: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=752359
• 关键词: RF; Microwave; Smart; Sensors; Next

In the past two decades, global investment in the development of novel sensing devices has increased dramatically due to the demand for continuous monitoring. Applications range from optimization of the heavy oil refining process to incorporating sensors for healthcare. However, most currently used monitoring and detection systems still suffer from large size distribution, high power consumption, and limited capability for real-time and non-invasive detection of multiple parameters simultaneously. On the other hand, the Internet of Things (IoT) has taken the need for sensors to a completely different level. Sensors are the key factor in IoT success, and they need to evolve into more sophisticated structures to perform technically and economically viable roles by a robust low-power sensing platform with the potential to integrate into inaccessible and harsh environments. RF/microwave sensing holds tremendous potential to meet this critical need because of its low cost, high sensitivity, and potential for non-invasive and wireless sensing. Planar resonator-based structures have recently been used extensively for microwave sensing due to the compact design and highly accurate detection with very small amounts of the sample under test. These features make resonator-based sensors an ideal candidate for real-time noncontact detection and monitoring systems. However, there are critical challenges related to the performance of available microwave sensors, such as low sensitivity and resolution. The long-term objective of my research program is to increase the usability of microwave sensors by developing novel high-resolution distant sensors that can be integrated into a larger sensory platform. My research proposes developing high-resolution, low-power smart sensing and detection devices to integrate into a massive sensor deployment and real-time data acquisition for control and optimization in various real-life applications such as smart farming. The specific objectives of the proposed research program are: 1) Enhance distance and selectivity of microwave sensors. 2) Leveraging microwave circuits to develop a standalone or modular system as feedback for on-demand control. 3) Integration of RF energy harvesting designs with chipless microwave sensors and validating its performance by applying it to multivariable analysis applications. The proposed microwave sensing platforms will attract an extensive network of cross-disciplinary collaborations and create an excellent training environment. My long-term vision is to see microwave sensors as a mainstream alternative for real-time non-invasive sensing and this smaller, more efficient, or cheaper devices sustain commercial needs of Canadian industrial partners by continued academic exploration of their useful properties. The proposed research program affords unique and ample opportunities to train HQP in a wide range of tools and techniques, much of which originated in Canada, to remain and grow in Canada.

在过去的二十年中，由于对持续监测的需求，全球对新型传感设备开发的投资已大大增加。应用范围从优化重油过程到合并医疗保健传感器。但是，大多数当前使用的监视和检测系统仍然遭受大尺寸分布，高功耗以及同时对实时和无创的多个参数检测的能力有限。另一方面，物联网（IoT）将传感器的需求达到了完全不同的水平。传感器是物联网成功的关键因素，它们需要发展为更复杂的结构，以通过强大的低功率传感平台在技术和经济上发挥作用，并有可能集成到无法访问和苛刻的环境中。 RF/微波传感具有巨大的潜力，可以满足这种关键需求，因为它的低成本，高灵敏度以及对非侵入性和无线感应的潜力。由于紧凑的设计和高度准确的检测，基于平面谐振器的结构最近被广泛用于微波传感。这些功能使基于谐振器的传感器成为实时非接触检测和监视系统的理想候选者。但是，与可用微波传感器的性能（例如低灵敏度和分辨率）相关的挑战。我的研究计划的长期目标是通过开发可将新型的高分辨率远处传感器集成到更大的感觉平台中来提高微波传感器的可用性。我的研究建议开发高分辨率，低功耗的智能感测和检测设备，以集成到大规模的传感器部署和实时数据获取中，以在诸如智能农业等各种现实生活的应用中进行控制和优化。拟议的研究计划的特定目标是：1）提高微波传感器的距离和选择性。 2）利用微波电路开发独立或模块化系统作为按需控制的反馈。 3）将RF能源收集设计与无芯片微波传感器的整合，并通过将其应用于多变量分析应用程序来验证其性能。拟议的微波传感平台将吸引广泛的跨学科合作网络，并创造出色的培训环境。我的长期愿景是将微波传感器视为实时非侵入性传感的主流替代方案，而这种较小，更高效或更便宜的设备通过继续学术探索其有用的特性来维持加拿大工业伙伴的商业需求。拟议中的研究计划为培训HQP的独特而充足的机会以广泛的工具和技术培训，其中大部分起源于加拿大，在加拿大留下并成长。