SBIR Phase II: Multifunctional Reconfigurable Antenna Array Technology for Wi-Fi and 5G Small Cell Access Points

该项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力是它能够对当前和未来的无线系统产生积极影响。本项目所针对的多功能可重构天线(MRA)技术使单个天线单元能够动态地改变其频段、辐射方向图和极化特性，这直接影响到任何无线网络所实现的射频覆盖、容量和服务质量。机器对机器通信、物联网应用、卫星通信、雷达传感和战术军事通信只是将从这项工作的成果中受益的几个领域。这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第二阶段项目将开发用于802.11ac/ax无线局域网系统和基于新无线电规范的5G毫米波系统的MRA阵列，并将其商业化。5G系统需要利用具有大量天线的大规模多输入多输出(MIMO)技术来显著提高频谱效率，从而实现所需的网络容量和增强的连接。还需要大量的MIMO来克服毫米波段的严重传播损耗，因为在毫米波段有大范围的频谱可用。如果MIMO系统使用具有固定属性的传统哑天线，则由此产生的复杂性和成本数字以及与大量射频前端相关的功率消耗使得它们在商业上令人望而却步。与传统阵列相比，MRA阵列技术可将阵列增益提高3-10分贝。此类收益可用于通过减少射频节点数量来改善射频覆盖范围、增加用户吞吐量并降低网络成本，或者通过减少天线元件数量来降低接入点设备的成本、尺寸和功耗。该项目将交付两个MRA阵列模块的测试版原型，其中包含可以与无线局域网和5G小型蜂窝调制解调器无缝集成的硬件和控制算法。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is its capability to create a positive impact on current and future wireless systems. Multifunctional reconfigurable antenna (MRA) technology targeted in this project enables a single antenna element to dynamically change its frequency band, radiation pattern and polarization properties, which directly impact the radio-frequency (RF) coverage, capacity, and quality of service achieved by any wireless network. Machine-to-machine communications, Internet of Things applications, satellite communications, radar-based sensing, and tactical military communications are just a few of the areas that will benefit from the results of this work. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will develop and commercialize MRA arrays for use in 802.11ac/ax WLAN systems and 5G mm-wave systems based on new radio specifications. 5G systems require exploitation of massive multiple input multiple output (MIMO) technology with a large number of antennas to attain significantly improved spectral efficiency, thereby achieving required network capacities and enhanced connectivity. Massive MIMO is also needed to overcome severe propagation losses in mm-wave bands, where large swaths of spectrum is available. If a MIMO system uses legacy dumb antennas with fixed properties, the resulting complexity and cost figures, and the power consumption associated with a large number of RF front ends render them commercially prohibitive. The MRA array technology delivers 3-10 dB higher array gain compared to legacy arrays. Such gains can be used to improve RF coverage, increase user throughput, and reduce network costs by lowering the number of RF nodes or reduce the cost, size and power consumption of access point equipment by lowering the number of antenna elements. This project will deliver the beta prototypes of two MRA array modules containing the hardware and control algorithm that can be seamlessly integrated with WLAN and 5G small-cell modems.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.