Pattern Adaptable Antenna Arrays for Networks on Chips in Massively Multicore Systems

用于大规模多核系统中片上网络的模式自适应天线阵列

• 批准号: 1708458
• 负责人: Kathleen Melde
• 金额: $ 30万
• 依托单位: University of Arizona
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2017
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2017-07-01 至 2021-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1708458&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Pattern; Adaptable; Antenna; Arrays; Networks

The goal of this project is to advance scientific computing by creating specialized on-chip antennas that can be placed inside high performance computers to allow high-speed data transfers between processor chips without using wires. This will replace hardwired interconnections and will allow rerouting of signals easily and seamlessly to improve system throughput and reliability. This may have significant impact on large-scale scientific computing and applications involving huge amounts of data processing. The antenna modules mimic "wireless-base-station-on-chip" concept since the antennas route signals inside the computer to achieve much faster and more efficient processing output. The project will demonstrate for the very first time a small compact and reconfigurable antenna module to be designed at high frequencies so they can be placed in computers. The specific frequency is chosen so that the antennas do not radiate beyond the computer itself. The research methods include designing the antenna by using simulations, and by demonstrating and testing antennas in the environment to verify that the desired goals are met. The impact of this research is to improve the capability of solving increasingly demanding computing problems in emerging scientific applications. This technology can potentially break performance barriers observed in computing and create new computing architectures. The project will integrate research with education, and provide learning opportunities merging the areas of computing, interconnects, high frequency simulations, and measurements to senior-level undergraduate students and graduate students. High school students and college freshmen will be able to explore technologies in a new freshman course module that introduces university students to different opportunities in electrical engineering. Graduate student course offerings will be enhanced with a signal integrity course for the online Masters of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering program at the University of Arizona. Hands-on and engagement activities will be offered to train and prepare students for their future career in industry or academia.This project will create and demonstrate one of the first chip-compatible antenna arrays that allow real-time pattern adaptation for use in massively multicore computing. The antennas will be designed on a separate antenna module that includes a pattern-reconfigurable antenna to allow for redirection of the antenna patterns in the horizontal direction (chip to chip). The array will achieve at least eight unique beam positions to allow communication to neighboring cores. The antenna module has several novel components: it is thin (1-2 mm), includes a 3D (multilayer) stacked beamformer, and can be connected to a transceiver using flip-chip (solder ball bump) attachment technologies. On system level, the project will demonstrate a novel system design using reconfigurable wireless links to simplify the I/O (Input/Output) architecture and improve system reliability with reconfigurable data paths that work around broken links. The project includes developing accurate link models that takes into account antenna and propagation characteristics. This will provide for accurate network planning using details of the physical antennas such as their pattern characteristics in the operating environment, and enable optimization of the computer network topology. Prototype antennas will be fabricated and measured, and demonstration test beds using 60 GHz transceiver evaluation boards will validate the link models.

该项目的目标是通过创建专用的片上天线来推进科学计算，这些天线可以放置在高性能计算机内部，以允许处理器芯片之间的高速数据传输，而无需使用电线。这将取代硬连线互连，并将允许轻松无缝地重新路由信号，以提高系统吞吐量和可靠性。这可能会对涉及大量数据处理的大规模科学计算和应用产生重大影响。天线模块模仿“无线基站芯片”的概念，因为天线在计算机内部路由信号，以实现更快，更有效的处理输出。该项目将首次展示一种小型紧凑和可重新配置的天线模块，该天线模块将在高频下设计，因此可以放置在计算机中。选择特定的频率是为了使天线的辐射不会超出计算机本身。研究方法包括通过仿真设计天线，并通过在环境中演示和测试天线来验证是否达到预期目标。这项研究的影响是提高解决新兴科学应用中日益苛刻的计算问题的能力。这项技术可能会打破计算中的性能障碍，并创建新的计算架构。该项目将研究与教育相结合，并为高年级本科生和研究生提供合并计算，互连，高频模拟和测量领域的学习机会。高中生和大学新生将能够在一个新的大一课程模块中探索技术，该模块向大学生介绍了电气工程的不同机会。研究生课程将通过亚利桑那大学电气和计算机工程科学在线硕士课程的信号完整性课程得到加强。该项目将创建并演示首批芯片兼容天线阵列之一，该阵列允许在大规模多核计算中使用实时模式自适应。天线将被设计在一个单独的天线模块上，该天线模块包括一个图案可重构天线，以允许在水平方向（芯片到芯片）上重定向天线图案。该阵列将实现至少八个独特的波束位置，以允许与相邻核心进行通信。该天线模块具有几个新颖的组件：它很薄（1-2 mm），包括一个3D（多层）堆叠波束形成器，并可以使用倒装芯片（焊球凸块）连接技术连接到收发器。在系统层面，该项目将展示一种新的系统设计，使用可重构的无线链路来简化I/O（输入/输出）架构，并通过可重构的数据路径来提高系统的可靠性。该项目包括开发考虑天线和传播特性的精确链路模型。这将提供使用物理天线的细节（诸如它们在操作环境中的模式特性）的精确网络规划，并且使得能够优化计算机网络拓扑。将制造和测量原型天线，使用60 GHz收发器评估板的演示测试台将验证链路模型。

项目成果

Switched Beam SIW Horn Arrays at 60 GHz for 360° Chip-to-Chip Communications

60 GHz 的开关光束 SIW 喇叭阵列可实现 360° 芯片间通信

• DOI: 10.1109/rws50353.2021.9360360
• 发表时间: 2021
• 期刊: 2021 IEEE Radio and Wireless Symposium (RWS
• 作者: Baniya, Prabhat;Melde, Kathleen L.
• 通讯作者: Melde, Kathleen L.

Switched Beam SIW Horn Arrays at 60 GHz for 360° Reconfigurable Chip-to-Chip Communications With Interference Considerations

• DOI: 10.1109/access.2021.3097036
• 发表时间: 2021-01-01
• 期刊: IEEE ACCESS
• 影响因子: 3.9
• 作者: Baniya, Prabhat;Melde, Kathleen L.
• 通讯作者: Melde, Kathleen L.

PCB bowing effects on 60 GHz switched-beam antenna modules

PCB 弯曲对 60 GHz 波束切换天线模块的影响

• DOI: 10.1109/apusncursinrsm.2019.8888652
• 发表时间: 2019
• 期刊: In 2019 IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation and USNC-URSI Radio Science Meeting,
• 作者: Baniya, Prabhat;Melde, Kathleen L
• 通讯作者: Melde, Kathleen L

Switched-Beam 60-GHz Four-Element Array for Multichip Multicore System

• DOI: 10.1109/tcpmt.2017.2775182
• 发表时间: 2018-02
• 期刊: IEEE Transactions on Components, Packaging and Manufacturing Technology
• 作者: Prabhat Baniya;Sungjong Yoo;K. Melde;A. Bisognin;C. Luxey

Standing Wave Considerations in the Link Model of 60 GHz Directional Surface Wave Arrays

60 GHz 定向表面波阵列链路模型中的驻波考虑因素

• DOI: 10.1109/apusncursinrsm.2018.8608853
• 发表时间: 2018
• 期刊: 2018 IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation & USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting
• 作者: Baniya, Prabhat;Melde, Kathleen L.
• 通讯作者: Melde, Kathleen L.