Radio Frequency Circuit Architectures

射频电路架构

• 批准号: RGPIN-2017-05827
• 负责人: Elliott, Duncan
• 金额: $ 2.4万
• 依托单位: University of Alberta
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=711831
• 关键词: Radio; Frequency; Circuit; Architectures

Future microwave and millimetre-wave communications systems and vehicle radar systems will depend on phased array antennae and the microelectronic chips that enable these. This program will create novel and disruptive technologies in the field of radio frequency (RF) integrated circuit architectures. Over the next 5 years, innovation will focus on four related areas: i) alias lock loop frequency synthesis architectures, ii) integrated phased array receivers and radar architectures, iii) high density integrated linear phase shifters suitable for 5G cellular networks, and iv) circuits for phased array satellite antennae. It is my intention to develop this research program to the point where early demonstrations can attract project funding from industry and elsewhere. This proposed RF circuit architectures research program will make new radio and radar applications feasible. Better frequency synthesis will open up higher frequencies for more bandwidth. More bandwidth will also flow from better phased-array and MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) antenna designs and the microelectronic chips that enable these, as will be required by 5G, the next generation of high performance cellular phones. High-resolution phased array radars, will move from a military budget to a consumer electronics budget, enabling safer autonomous cars and aircraft. My lab has produced a number of disruptive technologies which have become programs in themselves, spinning out as start-up companies or transforming the product capabilities of Canadian manufacturers. All of these breakthrough technologies in integrated circuit design have been conceived and initially explored with Discovery Grant funded research. These technologies have included processors-in-memory, multi-level memory, and integrated microfluidic/electronic circuits. Of my inventions, 15 US patents have issued (plus additional patents in other countries). Of those, 9 have been licenced to Canadian companies (in some cases as many as 3 Canadian companies), producing net university revenue. My inventions have helped spawn 3 Canadian start-up companies that I've been involved with. 7 more patents are pending. My lab not only teaches analysis and design, but inspires invention and trains the next generation of inventors. My students have outstanding success with inventing, patenting and licencing technologies, attracting international attention for their work, and successfully competing for the top design jobs, from startup companies to the world's best known companies.

未来的微波和毫米波通信系统以及车载雷达系统将依赖于相控阵天线和实现这些功能的微电子芯片。 该计划将在射频（RF）集成电路架构领域创造新颖和颠覆性的技术。在未来5年，创新将集中在四个相关领域：i）混叠锁定环频率合成架构，ii）集成相控阵接收机和雷达架构，iii）适用于5G蜂窝网络的高密度集成线性移相器，以及iv）相控阵卫星天线电路。 我的意图是发展这个研究计划，使早期的示范能够吸引来自工业和其他地方的项目资金。 这个提出的射频电路架构研究计划将使新的无线电和雷达应用成为可能。 更好的频率合成将为更多的带宽打开更高的频率。 更好的相控阵和MIMO（多输入多输出）天线设计以及实现这些的微电子芯片也将带来更多的带宽，这将是下一代高性能手机5G所需要的。 高分辨率相控阵雷达将从军事预算转向消费电子预算，使自动驾驶汽车和飞机更加安全。 我的实验室已经产生了许多颠覆性的技术，这些技术本身已经成为项目，作为初创公司或改变加拿大制造商的产品能力。集成电路设计中的所有这些突破性技术都是在Discovery Grant资助的研究中构思和初步探索的。这些技术包括内存处理器、多级内存和集成微流体/电子电路。在我的发明中，有15项美国专利已经发布（加上其他国家的专利）。 其中，9所大学已被许可给加拿大公司（在某些情况下多达3家加拿大公司），产生净大学收入。 我的发明帮助催生了3家我参与的加拿大初创公司。 另有7项专利正在申请中。 我的实验室不仅教授分析和设计，而且激发发明并培养下一代发明家。我的学生在发明，专利和许可技术方面取得了杰出的成功，他们的工作吸引了国际关注，并成功地竞争了顶级设计工作，从初创公司到世界上最知名的公司。