Multi-functional metamaterials and antennas for RF/Microwave communication and sensing devices

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Wireless connectivity is becoming increasingly important in modern society with a forecast of several hundreds of millions of connected devices in the UK alone by 2022, carrying out more than a billion daily data transactions. A large part of these connections will be machine-to-machine (M2M) communications through the rapidly increasing Internet of Things (IoT) that will connect a large number of sensing devices for a wide range of applications. Depending on the application, these wireless connections will span a large area of the radio frequency (RF) and microwave spectrum, from low UHF to mm-wave bands. Compact wireless devices and sensors for IoT with enhanced capabilities and multiple functionalities are required in order to meet the demands of the envisaged systems. The development of new communication and sensing systems for aircrafts (including unmanned air vehicles - UAVs) and automotive vehicles is also becoming crucial for the successful deployment of the next generations of these platforms, such as autonomous air vehicles and driverless cars. Military and civilian aircrafts as well as automotive vehicles are required to cope with an increasing demand for radio frequency communication and sensing capability. With the current trend of increasing wireless connectivity functionalities both in air/automotive vehicles and in compact IoT devices, the size and number of antennas may end up defining the overall size, cost and/or power requirements (e.g. battery life in the case of IoT sensors) of the system.A promising solution to the challenges outlined above is the developing science of RF/microwave metamaterials. Metamaterials and metasurfaces are artificial structures capable of achieving electromagnetic properties and behaviours that are not available from natural materials. This proposal aims to develop new paradigms of multi-functional and tunable metamaterials that will enable the development of novel multi-functional antennas for the two major applications sectors mentioned above, namely IoT wireless devices and autonomous air/automotive vehicles.The outcomes of this work would place the UK at the centre of developments in this transformative area. Importantly, this proposal brings together a leading academic research group with key industrial partners who will help to shape the programme and shorten the lag between fundamental research and product development thus further increasing impact generation.