STTR Phase I: Metamaterial-Based Antennas for Miniaturized Multi-Band Wireless Systems

这项小型企业技术转移（STTR）第一阶段研究项目探索基于一维或二维超材料结构的新型无线天线技术。基本方法是在多层结构中压缩、扭曲和碎片（CTF）金属条或盘，形成自调谐、带宽优化和小型化的天线。为了方便天线的设计，本设计引入了色散带工程的概念。通过使用三维（3D）基板金属化来定制传输带特性，可以在保持低色散的同时显着减少波导波长。所述金属化材料可能包括印刷电路结构中多个介电层内的高密度局部过孔和金属薄膜。本项目研究从这种结构演变而来的新型集成天线。无线通信继续要求紧凑、节能、多标准和多功能的系统，其中天线一直是小型化和宽带应用的突出部件和瓶颈。提出的3D体积集成电路取代传统平面集成电路的概念将对射频通信系统产生更广泛的影响。所提出的低成本单频段天线解决方案将对GSM移动电话的尺寸减小产生直接影响。“一根天线”的新理念应该会对WLAN增强型GSM电话产生直接的市场需求。该产品可以扩展到其他无线网络，如全球卫星导航、射频识别（RFID）和寻呼系统。

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I research project explores novel wireless antenna technologies based on one or two dimensional metamaterial structures. The basic approach is to compress, twist, and fragment (CTF) metal strips or discs in a multi-layer structure to form self-tuned, bandwidth optimized, and miniaturized antennas. A concept of dispersion band engineering is introduced in this project to facilitate the antenna design. By tailoring the transmission band characteristics through the use of three-dimensional (3D) substrate metallization, it is possible to reduce guide-wavelength dramatically while maintaining low dispersion. The metallized materials comprise possibly high-density localized vias and metal films within multiple dielectric layers in printed circuit structures. This project investigates new integrated antennas evolved from such structures. Wireless communications continue to demand compact power efficient multi-standard and multi-functional systems where the antenna has been a salient component and the bottleneck for miniaturization and broadband applications. The proposed concept of 3D volume integrated circuits to replace conventional planar integrated circuits will have broader impact on RF communication systems. The proposed low-cost single-band antenna solution could have direct impact on dimension reduction of GSM mobile phones. The new idea of one antenna for all should have an immediate market demand on WLAN enhanced GSM phones. The product could expand into other wireless networks, such as global satellite navigation, radio-frequency identification (RFID), and paging systems.