SBIR Phase I: Environmentally Sustainable Manufacturing Technology for Fabrication of Radio Frequency (RF) Filter Products

小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目的更广泛影响是开发射频(RF)网络小型化技术和制造方法，以大幅降低射频过滤器的尺寸、重量和成本。这项研究将为广泛的无线应用开发特殊的过滤器，包括智能手机及其基础设施、WiFi设备、广播系统和卫星系统。拟议的技术可减少垃圾填埋场贡献300多吨，减少废金属2200吨，减少一般金属消耗4500吨。这个SBIR第一阶段项目旨在通过模拟和原型制造，证明世界上第一个在空中使用新的网络分级化算法实现射频滤波器网络小型化的可行性。该分馏算法克服了射频滤光片在空气中小型化的高难度波长障碍，开发了微型多层空气滤光片结构。该项目将开发：(1)单谐振器电路层组件的制造方法，这是构建多层空气过滤器结构的主要构件；(2)由多个单谐振器电路层组件组成的结构的制造方法，以制造多谐振器微型多层空气过滤器原型，以展示多层空气过滤器技术在不同频率和功率水平下的性能和关键属性。样机将用于展示用于批量生产的微型多层空气过滤器的可扩展性、重复性和再现性，以及建立生产单位成本模型。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project is to develop a radio frequency (RF) network miniaturization technology and manufacturing methodologies to dramatically reduce the size, weight, and cost of RF filters. This research will develop special filters for a broad range of wireless applications, including smartphones and their infrastructure, WiFi devices, broadcast systems, and satellite systems. The proposed technology may reduce landfill contributions by over 300 tons, scrap metal by 2200 tons, and general metal consumption by 4500 tons. This SBIR Phase I project seeks to demonstrate the feasibility of the world’s first RF filter network miniaturization in air using an new network fractionalization algorithm via simulation and prototype fabrication. The fractionalization algorithm overcomes the high challenging wavelength barrier to RF filter miniaturization in air for development of miniature multilayer air filter structures. This project will develop: (1) methods of manufacture for single resonator circuit layer assemblies, the main building blocks for construction of multilayer air filter structures; (2) manufacturing methodologies for structures comprising multiple single resonator circuit layer assemblies to fabricate multi-resonator miniature multilayer air filter prototypes to demonstrate performance and key attributes of the multilayer air filter technology at various frequencies and power levels. The prototypes will be used to demonstrate the scalability, repeatability, and reproducibility of the miniature multilayer air filters for mass volume production, as well as to establish production unit cost models.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.