Millimeter-wave High-performance Front-ends for Future Ubiquitous Wireless Networks and Sensors

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Millimeter wave (mm-wave) bands are especially of interest because a massive amount of RF spectrum has been allocated worldwide for wireless communications (57-64 GHz, 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz, and 92-95 GHz bands), automotive radar (76-81 GHz) or imaging sensors (above 86 GHz). Intensive research efforts have been started to design compact and low-cost mm-wave transceivers for these emerging applications. ***In the past year, preliminary interest and discussions about a possible 5G standard have captured the attention and imagination of researchers and engineers around the world. Wireless data traffic is projected to increase 10,000 times within the next 20 years. Fundamental limits on hardware implementation and channel conditions limit the viability of the conventional option, the design of spectrally efficient systems (such as 4G LTE) in bands below 6 GHz. In order to achieve several Gb/s data-rates, the mm-wave spectrum enables the use of large bandwidths (e.g. 2 GHz) with simpler and low-cost modulation techniques, rather than relying on highly complex techniques, originally used to ensure a high spectral efficiency with smaller bandwidths. ***In addition, mm-wave bands ensure very high resolution for radars and other sensors. Automotive radar and imaging sensors can benefit of inherent advantages like weather independence and direct acquisition of range and velocity when compared to alternative sensors like video, laser and ultrasonic. Hot topics are also security and surveillance applications to identify weapons hidden under the clothing and for object detection which are not detected by conventional magnetometers. ***Technical challenges to be addressed today in the mm-wave research are unprecedented. The proposed program will take advantage of our research team's strong expertise in mm-wave circuits, systems, and interferometric techniques. Novel designs using large scale fabrication technologies, suitable for future ubiquitous applications, will be considered. ***The general objectives of this research program are: (i) to propose and to validate innovative and performant mm-wave transceiver architectures for emerging applications; (ii) to find new solutions for high energy efficiency and miniaturized front-end multi-chip integrated modules using low-cost fabrication technologies; (iii) to establish a permanent pool of highly qualified researchers at the INRS-EMT, for the development of RF technologies. ***Research efforts will be oriented towards the design of new system architectures, prototype transceiver fabrication using integrated technologies with innovative mm-wave components and advanced test-bench measurements. ***The new knowledge that will emerge from this program and the training of highly qualified personnel associated to the different stages of this work will certainly contribute to enhance Canada's global competitiveness in this high-technology sector. ***