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

射频和微波频段的无线载波面临的频谱短缺已经促使世界各地的许多研究小组探索毫米波频段用于未来的宽带无线通信系统。例如，60 GHz左右的未授权V波段提供了57至64 GHz范围内的7 GHz带宽，这为短距离无线通信开辟了新的机会。使用该可用频带，可以部署各种高数据速率要求的无线应用。这些应用包括无线高清视频流、多千兆位运营商级回程链路、成像、安全、取代光纤链路的点对点无线数据链路、来自/去往便携式设备的视频/音频传输，所有这些都需要提供Gbps范围内的速度。事实上，在这个频段上运行的无线局域网可以很容易地提供大约1.5 Gbps的数据速率，这将提供尖端技术，例如在蓝光视频播放器和电视机之间传输未压缩的视频信号。 然而，在毫米波段，无线通信系统受到严重的路径损耗，用户干扰和多径衰落问题的存在。为了克服这些问题，迫切需要具有高增益、宽带操作和波束成形能力的先进天线。在同样的角度来看，我们提出了研究计划，以开发先进的天线工作在毫米波段。为了实现这些具有挑战性的设计，我们将研究新的人工电磁材料，包括超颖表面，频率选择表面，电磁间隙材料和脊间隙波导，并使用它们来实现动态电磁波传播控制。基于这些方法，本研究计划将设计和开发先进的天线。 总之，拟议的研究计划描述了在最近的成功和追求几个新的发现方向之间的平衡组合。它将促进人工电磁结构，先进的毫米波天线，表征和设备制造和测试方面的重点多学科研究，与加拿大工业高技术的具体需求保持一致。特别是，它将有助于㈠设计和开发毫米波宽带透镜天线，使用智能超表面具有高增益和波束整形能力; ㈡研究和调查使用灵活频率选择表面的可重新配置天线; ㈢设计和实施新型相控阵天线;（iv）研究及发展脊隙波导技术天线;及（v）培养高质素人才，以应付现代社会的科技挑战。

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.