Reconfigurable Microwave Devices for Modern Wireless Applications

微波器件的可重构性是一个关键特性，它正迅速成为现代无线系统的重要要求。自动驾驶汽车、移动通信、航空和空间探索，甚至医疗行业现在都依赖于智能电子系统。这些系统需要组件级的敏捷性和系统级的适应性来满足必要的需求。考虑到这一点，本研究计划提出了两种射频(RF)组件设计，以应对这些挑战：1.磁控可调微波组件：多年来，基于磁性衬底的可调射频组件已在块状铁氧体衬底上实现。然而，它们的巨大尺寸并不能使它们在紧凑的通信系统中可积。在当今时代，智能设备等商业应用要求无线解决方案极其紧凑和易于携带。因此，如果这些基于磁性的组件要与其他技术竞争，则需要在其实施过程中进行调整。申请人以前曾使用多层铁氧体LTCC(低温共烧陶瓷)技术来实现紧凑和高效的可调设计。由于垂直一体化的优点，尺寸大大减小，同时提高了效率歧管。然而，有两个主要问题仍然悬而未决，不容忽视：i)成本，ii)射频损耗。这些问题可以通过使用基于磁性油墨的新的衬底印刷技术来解决。这项工作将集中在设计具有高质量射频性能的经济型磁可调谐元件。2.场可编程微波衬底(FPMS)：类似于磁可调射频器件，场可编程微波衬底是一种新的创新思想，它可以利用介电特性来实现可重构的射频组件，而不是磁性组件。利用这一想法，设计者可以使用单个器件来执行多种射频功能。通常，RF设备具有与其相关联的单一功能，但可调谐性有限。例如，可调谐天线可以工作在不同的频段，但其辐射方向图通常是不变的。FPMS提供了一种独特的策略，其中一台设备可以执行多种功能。这允许将一系列射频功能集成到单个解决方案中，从而实现了从最先进水平的范式转变。然而，占主导地位的挑战又一次是射频损耗，这完全阻碍了射频设备的效率。该提案将侧重于改善射频损耗，以及其他设计改进，以展示基于FPMS技术的高增益和可重构天线设计。这笔补助金将用于培养4名研究生和5名本科生。他们将获得必要的技能，以便在无线应用快速增长和对高技能HQP的需求不断上升的加拿大行业找到工作。

Reconfigurability of microwave devices is a key feature that is fast becoming a vital requirement for modern wireless systems. Autonomous Vehicles, Mobile Communication, Aviation & Space Exploration and even the Healthcare Industry is now relying on intelligent electronic systems. These systems need component-level agility and system-level adaptability to meet the necessary requirements. Keeping this in view, this research program proposes two streams of radio frequency (RF) component design that can answer these challenges: 1. Magnetically Controlled Tunable Microwave Components: Tunable RF components based on magnetic substrates have been realized on bulk ferrite substrates over the years. However, their large size did not render them integrable in compact communication systems. In the present day and age, commercial applications such as smart gadgets require wireless solutions to be extremely compact and easily portable. Thus, if these magnetic based components are to compete with the other technologies, then there needs to be an adaptation in their implementation. The applicant has previously used the multilayer ferrite LTCC (Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic) technology to realize compact and efficient tunable designs. By the virtue of vertical integration, the size was reduced immensely while improving efficiency manifolds. However, two major issues are still left outstanding and cannot be over-looked: i) Cost, ii) RF Loss. These problems can be resolved by using the new substrate printing techniques based on magnetic inks. The work will focus on designing economical magnetically tunable components with high quality RF performance. 2. Field Programmable Microwave Substrate (FPMS): Analogous to magnetically tunable RF devices, FPMS is a new innovative idea that can realize reconfigurable RF components exploiting dielectric properties as opposed to the magnetic ones. Using this idea, the designers can employ a single device to perform multiple RF functions. Usually an RF device has a single function associated with it with limited tunability. For instance, a tunable antenna can be operated at different frequency bands, but its radiation pattern is usually unaltered. FPMS provides a unique strategy where a single device can perform multiple functions. This allows for a range of RF functions to be integrated into a single solution, inculcating a paradigm shift from the state of the art. However, once again the dominant challenge is RF loss, that completely hampers the efficiency of the RF devices. The proposal will focus on improving the RF loss, among other design advancements to demonstrate high gain and reconfigurable antenna designs based on FPMS technology. The grant will support the training of 4 graduate and 5 undergraduate students. They will acquire the necessary skills to find employment in Canadian industries where wireless applications are rapidly growing and the need of highly skilled HQPs is on the rise.