Collaborative Research: Enabling Technology for MIMO Systems on Mobile Devices: Antennas, Switches, and Packaging

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0500860PapapolymerouMultiple input-multiple output (MIMO) systems promise the ability to dramatically increase the capacity of current wireless connections. Future implementations of multiple input-multiple output (MIMO) systems on portable devices will require new approaches to antenna system design if they are to deliver promised capacity increases. In particular, integrating antennas into portable packages in a traditional way may severely constrain MIMO system performance. Since the antennas will share a package, induced chassis currents may result in higher or even unacceptable correlation between propagation channels unless the system is designed properly. Moreover, once fixed antennas are integrated into a chassis, their coverage area and coupling to other antennas is also fixed. The PIs work aims to develop and demonstrate integrated, low cost reconfigurable antenna systems that are designed specifically for MIMO systems to avoid these pitfalls. Intellectual Merit The PIs propose the development of low cost integrated reconfigurable antenna technology for portable MIMO systems, taking a holistic approach that keeps the goal -- independent, uncorrelated channels achieved with minimal expense -- in the foreground. To position the project to have the greatest impact on future wireless systems, They will concentrate their efforts in two frequency bands: 5-6 GHz ISM band and 60 GHz unlicensed band. The work will consist of three inter-related thrusts, which are summarized here. Thrust I: Pattern Reconfigurable Antennas for MIMO Systems: Individual pattern reconfigurable antennas equipped with RF micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) switches will be developed and designed to deliver specific radiation patterns in integrated scenarios by considering likely or intended MIMO wireless channels. Thrust II: RF MEMS Switches Designed for and Implemented in Reconfigurable Antennas: The switches developed here will use new, low cost organic liquid crystal polymer (LCP) substrates and will be designed specifically for these antennas to maximize their reconfigurability and minimize undesired behavior from packaging and bias effects, etc. Thrust III: Packaging, Integration, and Evaluation of Portable MIMO Antenna Systems: New techniques for packaging and integration of the RF MEMS-equipped antenna systems developed here specifically for MIMO operation will provide a rich experimental framework in which new ideas about the capabilities and limitations of practical MIMO systems can be measured and assessed. Impact on Future High Capacity Wireless Communication Systems The portable, reconfigurable wireless MIMO systems on low cost substrates developed here will have the potential to revolutionize how information is exchanged, how parallel computations are conducted, and how data is processed or mined. Additionally, the new reconfigurable antennas, RF MEMS switches, organic substrate processing, and packaging and integration techniques that will emerge from the project will lead to advances in other areas of wireless communication, sensor networks, and control. Broader Impact To expand the impact of this project, the investigators will take several coordinated steps to involve undergraduates and members of underrepresented groups in this research project. Specifically, they will conduct undergraduate researcher summer exchanges, recruit and mentor women and minority students in their research groups, and guide undergraduates in related senior design projects that may lead to graduate studies.