Advanced antennas for next-generation wireless communication systems at millimeter-wave bands

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*The frequency spectrum shortage facing wireless carriers at RF and microwave bands has motivated many research groups worldwide for exploring millimeter-wave bands for future broadband wireless communication systems. For instance, the unlicensed V-band around 60 GHz offers a 7-GHz bandwidth in the range from 57 to 64 GHz, which has opened new opportunities for short-range wireless communications. Using this available band, various high-data rate demanding wireless applications could be deployed. These applications include wireless high-definition video streaming, multi-gigabit carrier-grade backhaul links, imaging, security, point-to-point wireless data links replacing optical links, video/audio transfer from/to portable devices, all of which are required to provide speeds in the Gbps range. Indeed, wireless local area networks operating at this band can easily offer a data rate of about 1.5 Gbps, which would provide cutting-edge technology such as the transfer of an uncompressed video signal between a blue-ray video player and a television.***However at millimeter-wave bands, wireless communications systems suffer seriously from path loss, presence of user interference and multipath fading problems. To overcome this issues, advanced antennas with high gain, broadband operation, and beamforming capabilities are urgently required. In the same perspective, we propose research program to develop advanced antennas operating at millimeter-wave bands. To realize these challenging designs, we will investigate new artificial electromagnetic materials, including metasurfaces, frequency selective surfaces, electromagnetic gap materials and ridge gap waveguides, and use them to achieve dynamic electromagnetic wave propagation control. Based on these approaches, advanced antennas will be designed and developed in this research program.***In conclusion, the proposed research program describes a balanced mix between building on recent successes and pursuing several novel directions of discovery. It will foster focused multidisciplinary research in artificial electromagnetic structures, advanced millimeter-wave antennas, characterization and device fabrication and testing, consistently with specific needs of the high technology in Canadian industry. In particular, it will contribute to (i) design and develop millimeter-wave wideband lens antennas with high gain and beam-shaping capabilities using smart metasurfaces; (ii) study and investigate reconfigurable antennas using agile frequency selective surfaces; (iii) design and implement novel phased array antennas; (iv) explore and develop ridge gap waveguide technology-based antennas, and (v) last but not least, we will train highly qualified personnel to respond to the scientific and technological challenges of modern society.