CAREER: Non-Reciprocally-Coupled Load-Modulation Platform for Next-Generation High-Power Magnetic-Less Fully-Directional Radio Front Ends

职业：用于下一代高功率无磁全向无线电前端的非互易耦合负载调制平台

基本信息

批准号：
2239207
负责人：
Kenle Chen
金额：
$ 50万
依托单位：
The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees
依托单位国家：
美国
项目类别：
Continuing Grant
财政年份：
2023
资助国家：
美国
起止时间：
2023-03-01 至 2028-02-29
项目状态：
未结题

来源：
https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2239207&HistoricalAwards=false
关键词：
CAREER Non Reciprocally Coupled Load

项目摘要

The exacerbating congestion and overcrowding of wireless spectrum strongly demand new spectrally efficient communication system architectures, e.g., full duplex and massive multi-input multi-output (mMIMO). These emerging systems necessitate fully-directional radiofrequency (RF) front-ends, which normally involve bulky and expensive magnetic devices for a critical function of signal circulation/isolation at the antenna interface. Although the non-magnetic counterparts promise chip-level integration with massive manufacturability, their very low power-handling capability remains as the bottleneck. This CAREER project aims to fundamentally unleash the high-power operation of non-magnetic non-reciprocal devices though a new paradigm of indirect signal circulation/isolation integrated into the prevailing load-modulation power amplifiers (PAs), named Non-Reciprocally-Coupled Load Modulation (NRC-LM). More broadly, this ‘indirect’ design paradigm can be generalized to other power-sensitive devices, e.g., tunable filters, acoustic-wave filters, and switches, which could enable high-power frequency-agile RF front-ends and impact the field of cognitive radios. Beyond the technological frontiers, this research will address the nation’s core interests in spectrum sustainability and ubiquitous coverage of high-speed connectivity, potentially leading to immense economic benefits. Moreover, by enhancing the efficiency of PAs (the most energy-consuming unit on all wireless platforms) with NRC-LM, the energy efficiency and environmental impacts of the entire wireless ecosystem can be improved. The impact of this research will be further expanded through several educational and outreach activities: (1) The RF/microwave curricula at the University of Central Florida will be enhanced with new class modules. (2) Diverse mentoring and outreach programs will be designed to attract students of underrepresented minority groups in STEM, thus preparing a new diverse workforce for the RF industry. (3) The engagement of undergraduate students in RF/microwave research will be promoted through a comprehensive set of intriguing efforts. (4) To stimulate interests from K-12 students and general public, a series of “demystifying wireless communications” mini lectures will be designed, exhibited in outreach activities, and disseminated on social media platforms. The objective of this CAREER project is to establish the theoretical foundation and practical design methodologies for high-power magnetic-less fully-directional RF front-ends based on NRC-LM. By leveraging a unique characteristic of active load modulation, the circulator placement is transformed from the high-power node of PA output to an inner low-power node, while maintaining the critical signal circulation/isolation behavior. This transformation not only inherently eliminates the unaffordable power stress on non-magnetic circulator but also greatly mitigates the impact of its unforgiven loss and non-linearity on the overall transmitter. The proposed research comprehensively spans over theory, design practice, and system architecture: (1) As a foundation of practical designs, the new NRC-LM theory in terms of directional transmission and reception will be systematically established and generalized to all existing load-modulation modes. (2) Moreover, mixed digital-RF design in conjunction with advanced multi-input NRC-LM transmitter architecture will be investigated to synergize an optimal cooperation between non-magnetic circulator and active LM at arbitrary in-band frequencies, pushing extreme bandwidth, efficiency, linearity, dynamic range, etc. (3) Meanwhile, a novel quadrature-commutated circulator is proposed to offer ultra-wide bandwidth, watt-level power handling, and low loss. (4) Furthermore, innovative system-level designs will be studied to integrate the NRC-LM-based front-ends into mMIMO (antenna-array-based) and full-duplex systems, which can lead to unprecedented spectrum and energy efficiencies as well as multi-band and multi-standard capabilities. Overall, the success of this research will significantly enhance the next-generation spectrum- and energy-efficient communications.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.

无线频谱的加剧拥堵和人满为患，强烈要求新的频谱高效的通信系统体系结构，例如，完整的双链和大量多输入多输出（MMIMO）。这些新兴系统必要的完全方向射频（RF）前端，通常涉及在天线界面处信号循环/隔离的临界功能的笨重且昂贵的磁性设备。尽管非磁性对应物承诺与大型制造业的芯片级集成，但它们的功能非常低的功能仍然是瓶颈。该职业项目的目的是从根本上释放非磁性非磁性设备的高功率操作，尽管新的间接信号循环/隔离范式集成到了盛行的负载调制功率放大器（PAS），该范围被称为非重点固定耦合载荷调制（NRC-LM）。更广泛地说，这种“间接”设计范式可以推广到其他功率敏感设备，例如可调滤波器，声波过滤器和开关，这可以启用高功率频率 - 敏捷的RF前端并影响认知无线电的场。除了技术领域外，这项研究还将解决该国在频谱可持续性和无处不在的高速连通性覆盖范围方面的核心利益，这可能会带来巨大的经济利益。此外，通过提高使用NRC-LM的PA（所有无线平台上最耗能的单元）的效率，可以提高整个无线生态系统的能源效率和环境影响。这项研究的影响将通过几项教育和外展活动进一步扩展：（1）佛罗里达大学中央佛罗里达大学的RF/微波课程将通过新的班级模块增强。（2）多样化的心理和外展计划将旨在吸引STEM中代表性不足的少数群体的学生，从而为RF行业做好了新的潜水员劳动力。（3）将通过一系列有趣的努力来促进本科生参与RF/微波研究。（4）为了激发K-12学生和公众的兴趣，将设计一系列“揭开无线通信”的“揭开无线通信”的兴趣，并在社交媒体平台上进行宣传活动并传播。该职业项目的目的是建立理论基础和实用设计方法，用于基于NRC-LM的高功率无磁性全向RF前端。通过利用主动载荷调制的独特特征，将电路放置从PA输出的高功率节点转换为内部低功率节点，同时保持临界信号循环/隔离行为。这种转变不仅固有地消除了非磁回路上无法承受的功率应力，而且还极大地减轻了其非原谅损失和非线性对整体发射器的影响。拟议的研究全面跨越了理论，设计实践和系统体系结构：（1）作为实践设计的基础，在方向传播和接收方面，新的NRC-LM理论将被系统地建立并推广到所有现有的负载调制模式。（2）此外，将研究混合数字RF设计与先进的多输入NRC-LM发射机结构结合使用，以协同在随机内频率下非磁性电路和主动LM之间的最佳协调，以推动极端的带宽，效率，线性，动态范围等，（3）新颖的环境，（3）新颖的环境，（3）新颖的环境。带宽，瓦特级功率处理和低损失。（4）此外，将研究创新的系统级设计，以将基于NRC-LM的前端整合到MMIMO（基于天线阵列）和全双工系统中，这可能会导致前所未有的光谱和能源效率，以及多型频段和多标准功能。总体而言，这项研究的成功将显着增强下一代光谱和节能的通信。该奖项反映了NSF的法定任务，并使用基金会的知识分子优点和更广泛的审查标准，被认为值得通过评估来获得支持。