Electromagnetic inversion of magnetic near-field data for device characterization

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

As we move toward the Internet of Things, there will be a myriad of connected devices around us. This will significantly increase the number of antennas (and circuits) required to support this level of connectivity for various new and existing applications. To this end, these antennas will need to fit into many different devices, many of which can be close to the human body, with varying physical structure while providing various far-field and near-field specifications in different environments. To shorten the design and evaluation cycle of these many antennas (and circuits) with varying physical structures and radiation properties, electromagnetic characterization techniques and algorithms are needed that can offer increased flexibility, e.g., in terms of data collection schemes and diagnostics on different physical surfaces. In collaboration with EMSCAN Corporation, the proposed research project investigates the development of novel and/or improved approaches using which we can perform antenna, printed circuit board (PCB) and specific absorption rate (SAR) characterization in a more flexible manner. This flexibility can be for example in terms of data collection schemes, use of phaseless data, incorporation of prior information, or characterization on non-canonical surfaces. The common theme in these three application areas is that the utilized mathematical formulation in all of them, which is based on the electromagnetic inversion framework, attempts to perform characterization by finding some forms of currents. These currents can be, for example, the equivalent current of the antenna under test, or the induced contrast sources in phantoms for SAR characterization. For Canada to have a leading role in the Internet of Things and to benefit from its market value, it is important, within the area of antenna design and measurements, to develop more flexible, more systematic, and faster antenna design and characterization procedures. The proposed project aims to contribute to this endeavour within the characterization aspect.