EAGER: A Novel Hybrid Analog-Digital Architecture for Optimum Agile Wireless Communication Using Discrete Lens Arrays

这项研究的目的是论证一种新的多天线无线收发器设计的概念验证，该设计承诺与最先进的系统相比，在容量和功率/带宽效率方面有显著的改善。该方法基于一种新的混合模拟-数字多输入多输出架构，支持连续孔径相控阵操作和最佳波束敏捷性。新的模数接口是通过一种新型相控阵架构--高分辨率离散透镜阵列--实现的，该架构计算模拟空间傅里叶变换，并通过波束灵活性实现最佳链路适配。集成的理论-实验研究计划包括基础理论和原型开发，以展示新收发机设计的潜力。智能优点：拟议的敏捷收发机所承诺的引人注目的性能收益依赖于相对于最先进技术的几项创新，包括：i)集成模拟和数字处理以实现最佳适配；ii)集成相干波束形成和空间多路复用；iii)信源-通道匹配以实现容量最大化；以及iv)基于高分辨率离散透镜阵列的操作，用于动态波束控制。该项目预计将在理论和实践方面推动无线通信的最新发展，包括促进对新的收发信机架构和天线阵列设计的新概念范例的跨学科研究。这一跨学科项目的更广泛影响包括对研究生和本科生的多学科培训、未被充分代表的学生参与研究、学生参与研究会议、通过演讲、出版物和网络传播研究、将研究成果纳入研究生和本科生课程，以及与其他研究小组和行业合作，进行思想交流和技术转让。

The objective of this research is to demonstrate proof-of-concept of a new multi-antenna wireless transceiver design that promises dramatic improvements in capacity and power/bandwidth efficiency compared to the state-of-the-art systems. The approach is based on a new hybrid analog-digital multiple-input-multiple-output architecture that enables a continuous-aperture phased-array operation and optimum beam agility. The new analog-digital interface is realized via a novel phased-array architecture - a high-resolution discrete lens array - that computes an analog spatial Fourier transform and enables optimum link adaptation through beam agility. The integrated theoretical-experimental research plan includes development of basic theory and prototype development to demonstrate the potential of the new transceiver design.Intellectual Merit: The compelling performance gains promised by the proposed agile transceiver rely on several innovations relative to the state-of-the-art, including: i) Integration of analog and digital processing for optimum adaptation; ii) Integration of coherent beam-forming and spatial multiplexing; iii) Source-channel matching for capacity maximization; and iv) High-resolution discrete-lens-array-based operation for dynamic beam control. The project is expected to advance the state-of-the-art of wireless communications on both theoretical and practical fronts, including spurring interdisciplinary research into new transceiver architectures and new conceptual paradigms for antenna array design.The broader impacts of this interdisciplinary project include multi-disciplinary training of graduate and undergraduate students, involvement of underrepresented students in research, student participation in research meetings, research dissemination via presentations, publications and the web, incorporation of research results into graduate and undergraduate courses, and collaboration with other research groups and industry for cross-fertilization of ideas and technology transfer.