MRI: Acquisition of a Millimeter Wave Vector Network Analyzer for Research and Training

该项目寻求在蒙大拿州立大学建立一个最先进的研究和培训设施，致力于研究微波和毫米波设备、电路、系统和现象。所要求的设备是110 GHz矢量网络分析仪(VNA)，将构成密歇根州立大学微波/毫米波实验室的基石，补充该实验室目前用于此类研究的一系列出色的模拟工具。VNA是这类工作的关键测试设备，使研究人员能够确定设备、电路和系统的矢量反射和传输行为。由于反射和传输特性在高频设计中至关重要，矢量网络分析是微波/毫米波实验者不可缺少的工具。密歇根州立大学电气和计算机工程系目前正在开展微波和毫米波电子学领域的各种研究和培训活动。例如，通过微波建模，人们正在研究适合毫米波源发展的新型功率合成结构。通过这项提议寻求的设备将使研究人员能够在预期的频率范围(75 GHz及以上)展示这种结构的微机械版本。在目前的其他努力中，正在研究用于自组织网络和环境传感应用的平面天线技术，正在考虑将低成本的频率可缩放微机械接收器应用于毫米和亚毫米波频率。所要求的设备将在这些活动中广泛使用，并将促进微波/毫米波小组和致力于生物膜工程、材料开发和空间光谱全息术的研究小组之间的跨学科努力的发展。拟议活动的智力优点：PI在平面微波/毫米波电路的设计和分析方面有多年经验，并建立了必要的模拟和建模基础设施，以充分利用所要求的设备。结合将通过最近的赠款获得的精密探测站，以及通过M.J.默多克慈善信托基金寻求的频率扩展模块，所请求的VNA将建立一个最先进的测试台，用于在晶片上表征真正的亚毫米波频率。通过购买VNA而可能开展的活动将有助于了解微波和毫米波现象，并有助于开发在这一日益重要的频率范围内运行的设备、电路和系统。目前的项目包括针对以下方面的创造性努力：(1)开发低成本电源，缺乏被广泛认为是进一步发展更高毫米波范围的主要障碍，(2)展示低成本微机械接收器电路的潜力，(3)在跨不同领域的应用中利用平面电路和新材料进行环境传感，以及(4)利用空间光谱全息技术开发高分辨率雷达。拟议活动的广泛影响：所需设备将显著加强密歇根大学的研究和培训活动，使参与者能够正确描述毫米波频率下的设备和电路。据公安局所知，蒙大拿州或邻近的州目前不存在这样的设施。为了最大限度地扩大区域内拟议活动的影响，将对这些设施进行广告宣传，并向外部用户开放。所要求的设备将提供必要的资源，以鼓励和支持研究小组之间的多学科合作，包括那些主要重点远离微波/毫米波工程的研究小组。例如，密歇根州立大学目前在生物膜、纳米材料开发和空间光谱全息术方面享有活跃的研究计划。这些小组和微波/毫米波小组之间的创造性互动将出现，为微型传感器、超材料和高分辨率雷达领域做出显著贡献。拟议设施的建立将有助于招聘和留住教员和研究生。为此，欧洲经委会系将在2004年再招聘两名教员。由于招聘具有电信和超大规模集成电路设计背景的候选人，使用所需设备的人员数量很有可能会增加。最后，通过能够测试微制造的毫米波电路，所请求的设备将允许微波/毫米波小组支持密歇根州立大学的微制造设施。微制造实验室正在进行重大升级，这在一定程度上要归功于最近授予密歇根州立大学研究人员的200万美元赠款。

This project seeks to establish a state-of-the-art research and training facility at Montana State University devoted toward the study of microwave and millimeter wave devices, circuits, systems and phenomena. The requested equipment, a 110 GHz vector network analyzer (VNA), will form The cornerstone of the microwave/millimeter wave lab at MSU, complementing the lab's outstanding array of simulation tools currently being used for such research. The VNA is the key piece of test equipment for such work, allowing researchers to determine the vector reflection and transmission behavior of devices, circuits and systems. As reflection and transmission characteristics are of fundamental importance in high-frequency design, the VNA is an indispensable tool for microwave/millimeter wave experimentalists. A variety of research and training activities in the area of microwave and millimeter wave electronics is currently being conducted in the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) department at MSU. For example, novel power combining architectures suitable for millimeter wave source development are being investigated through microwave modeling. The equipment sought through this proposal will allow researchers to demonstrate micromachined versions of such structures in their intended frequency range (75 GHz and above). In other present efforts, planar antenna technology is being studied for use in ad hoc networks and in environmental sensing applications, and low-cost frequency scalable micromachined receivers are being considered for applications at millimeter and submillimeter-wave frequencies. The requested equipment will be used extensively in these activities and will foster the development of interdisciplinary efforts between the microwave/millimeter wave group and research groups devoted toward biofilm engineering, material development, and spatial-spectral holography for example.Intellectual merit of the proposed activities: The PI has many years of experience in the design and analysis of planar microwave/millimeter wave circuitry, and has established the necessary simulation and modeling infrastructure to take full advantage of the requested equipment. Combined with a precision probe station to be acquired through a recent grant, and frequency extension modules sought through the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, the requested VNA will establish a state-of-the art test bed for on-wafer characterization to true submillimeter wave frequencies. The activities that will be made possible through acquisition of the VNA will contribute to the understanding of microwave and millimeter wave phenomenon and to the development of devices, circuits and systems operating in this increasingly important frequency range. Current projects include creative efforts aimed at: (1) developing low-cost power sources, the lack of which is widely regarded as the primary impediment to further development of the higher millimeter wave range, (2) demonstrating the potential of low-cost micromachined receiver circuits, (3) exploiting planar circuitry and novel materials for environmental sensing in applications that cross various fields and (4) developing high-resolution radar using spatial spectral holography.Broader impact of the proposed activities: The requested equipment will significantly enhance the research and training activities at MSU by providing participants the ability to properly characterize devices and circuits at millimeter wave frequencies. To the PI's knowledge, such facilities do not presently exist in the state of Montana or in neighboring states. To maximize the impact of the proposed activities within the region, the facilities will be advertised and open to external users. The requested equipment will provide the necessary resources to inspire and support multidisciplinary collaborations between research groups including those whose primary emphasis is far afield from microwave/millimeter wave engineering. For example, MSU currently enjoys vibrant research programs in biofilms, nanomaterial development and spatial-spectral holography. Creative interaction between such groups and the microwave/millimeter wave group will emerge to make notable contributions to the fields of microsensors, metamaterials, and high-resolution radar. Establishment of the proposed facility will aid in the recruitment and retention of faculty and graduate students. To this point, the ECE department is recruiting two additional faculty members in 2004. As candidates with background in telecommunications and VLSI design are sought, there is a high probability that the number of personnel using the requested equipment will grow. Finally, by enabling the testing of microfabricated millimeter wave circuitry, the requested equipment will allow the microwave/millimeter wave group to support the microfabrication facilities at MSU. The microfabrication lab is undergoing a major upgrade thanks in part to a recent two million dollar grant awarded to MSU researchers for this purpose.