CAREER: Next-Generation Ultra-Low-Cost Phased Arrays

该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。该研究的目标是开发下一代超低成本相控阵，用于雷达、广播、蜂窝通信、卫星通信和天气预报等各种应用。该方法是研究一种创新的概念，称为电子可操纵无源阵列散热器（ESPAR），并在有机衬底上开发BST变容管。知识价值：这项研究预计将对低成本、简单而高效的相控阵系统的设计产生重大影响。提出的新型BST变容管集成技术将对各种需要高密度集成电容器和变容管的应用产生广泛的影响。ESPAR相控阵的保形设计有助于增加无线传感器节点的功能并降低功耗，同时显著降低成本。更广泛的影响：提出的研究将使下一代超低成本相控阵在各种应用中都能负担得起。可以利用该技术的一个重要应用是汽车防撞雷达或自适应巡航控制技术。另一个应用是在后座娱乐和移动高速互联网接入。超低成本相控阵还有助于更广泛地部署廉价的高性能相控阵用于国土安全，以提高通信成功率并挽救人员的生命。生物医学和无线传感器应用也将受益于超低成本的ESPAR相控阵。该教育计划包括振兴现有的电磁学和微波工程课程，整合研究和教育，监督本科研究，扩展K-12和代表性不足的群体，以及大学与工业合作。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).The objective of this research is to develop next-generation ultra-low-cost phased arrays for various applications including radar, broadcasting, cellular communications, satellite communications, and weather forecasting. The approach is to investigate an innovative concept termed electronically steerable passive array radiator (ESPAR) and develop BST varactors on organic substrates.Intellectual Merit: The proposed research is expected to have a significant impact on the design of low-cost, simple yet efficient phased array systems. The proposed novel BST varactor integration technique will have a broad impact on a variety of applications which require high-density integrated capacitors and varactors. Conformal designs of the proposed ESPAR phased arrays help increase the function and reduce the power consumption of wireless sensor nodes, with a significantly reduced cost.Broader Impacts: The proposed research will enable next-generation ultra-low-cost phased arrays to be affordable in a variety of applications. One important application that can take advantage of this technology is automotive collision avoidance radar or adaptive cruise control technology. Another application is in the rear seat entertainment and mobile high-speed internet access. The ultra-low-cost phased arrays also help the much wider deployment of inexpensive high-performance phased arrays for homeland security to increase the communication success rate and save lives of personnel. Biomedical and wireless sensor applications will also benefit from the ultra-low-cost ESPAR phased arrays. The education plan includes a revitalization of existing electromagnetics and microwave engineering curriculum, integration of research and education, supervision of undergraduate research, outreach for K-12 and underrepresented groups, and university-industry collaborations.