RF/Microwave Smart Sensors for the Next Generation of Real-time Detection and Control

用于下一代实时检测和控制的射频/微波智能传感器

• 批准号: RGPIN-2022-03028
• 负责人: Abbasi, Zahra
• 金额: $ 2.11万
• 依托单位: University of Calgary
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=752359
• 关键词: RF; Microwave; Smart; Sensors; Next

In the past two decades, global investment in the development of novel sensing devices has increased dramatically due to the demand for continuous monitoring. Applications range from optimization of the heavy oil refining process to incorporating sensors for healthcare. However, most currently used monitoring and detection systems still suffer from large size distribution, high power consumption, and limited capability for real-time and non-invasive detection of multiple parameters simultaneously. On the other hand, the Internet of Things (IoT) has taken the need for sensors to a completely different level. Sensors are the key factor in IoT success, and they need to evolve into more sophisticated structures to perform technically and economically viable roles by a robust low-power sensing platform with the potential to integrate into inaccessible and harsh environments. RF/microwave sensing holds tremendous potential to meet this critical need because of its low cost, high sensitivity, and potential for non-invasive and wireless sensing. Planar resonator-based structures have recently been used extensively for microwave sensing due to the compact design and highly accurate detection with very small amounts of the sample under test. These features make resonator-based sensors an ideal candidate for real-time noncontact detection and monitoring systems. However, there are critical challenges related to the performance of available microwave sensors, such as low sensitivity and resolution. The long-term objective of my research program is to increase the usability of microwave sensors by developing novel high-resolution distant sensors that can be integrated into a larger sensory platform. My research proposes developing high-resolution, low-power smart sensing and detection devices to integrate into a massive sensor deployment and real-time data acquisition for control and optimization in various real-life applications such as smart farming. The specific objectives of the proposed research program are: 1) Enhance distance and selectivity of microwave sensors. 2) Leveraging microwave circuits to develop a standalone or modular system as feedback for on-demand control. 3) Integration of RF energy harvesting designs with chipless microwave sensors and validating its performance by applying it to multivariable analysis applications. The proposed microwave sensing platforms will attract an extensive network of cross-disciplinary collaborations and create an excellent training environment. My long-term vision is to see microwave sensors as a mainstream alternative for real-time non-invasive sensing and this smaller, more efficient, or cheaper devices sustain commercial needs of Canadian industrial partners by continued academic exploration of their useful properties. The proposed research program affords unique and ample opportunities to train HQP in a wide range of tools and techniques, much of which originated in Canada, to remain and grow in Canada.

在过去的二十年里，由于对连续监测的需求，全球对新型传感设备开发的投资急剧增加。应用范围从重油精炼过程的优化到纳入医疗保健传感器。然而，大多数当前使用的监测和检测系统仍然遭受大尺寸分布、高功耗以及同时对多个参数进行实时和非侵入性检测的有限能力。另一方面，物联网（IoT）将对传感器的需求提升到了一个完全不同的水平。传感器是物联网成功的关键因素，它们需要发展成更复杂的结构，通过强大的低功耗传感平台来执行技术和经济上可行的角色，并有可能集成到无法访问的恶劣环境中。RF/微波传感具有满足这一关键需求的巨大潜力，因为其成本低，灵敏度高，并且具有非侵入性和无线传感的潜力。基于平面谐振器的结构由于其紧凑的设计和非常少量的被测样品的高精度检测，最近已被广泛用于微波传感。这些特性使得基于谐振器的传感器成为实时非接触检测和监控系统的理想选择。然而，存在与可用微波传感器的性能相关的关键挑战，例如低灵敏度和分辨率。我的研究计划的长期目标是通过开发新的高分辨率远程传感器，可以集成到一个更大的传感平台，以提高微波传感器的可用性。我的研究建议开发高分辨率，低功耗的智能传感和检测设备，以集成到大规模传感器部署和实时数据采集中，用于智能农业等各种现实应用的控制和优化。提出的研究方案的具体目标是：1）提高微波传感器的距离和选择性。2)利用微波电路开发独立或模块化系统作为按需控制的反馈。3)将射频能量收集设计与无芯片微波传感器集成，并通过将其应用于多变量分析应用来验证其性能。拟议的微波传感平台将吸引广泛的跨学科合作网络，并创造一个良好的培训环境。我的长期愿景是将微波传感器视为实时非侵入式传感的主流替代品，这种更小，更高效或更便宜的设备通过继续对其有用特性的学术探索来维持加拿大工业合作伙伴的商业需求。拟议的研究计划提供了独特和充足的机会，以培训HQP在广泛的工具和技术，其中大部分起源于加拿大，留在加拿大和成长。