Novel mm-Wave Reflectarray Antennas for Next Generation Communication Systems

该项目将为下一代无线通信系统开发新型双极化、超宽带和可波束增益高增益反射天线。这项工作的愿景将通过开发全新的方法来实现，这些方法可能会改变毫米波5G和6G通信系统的天线设计。本研究的重点是研究、设计和开发在毫米波频率下具有高性能的带宽和波束导向能力的非均匀反射天线。这项研究有可能影响颠覆性技术，如先进的机器人和人机界面、大数据应用、通信和传感应用，如远程呈现服务、远程医疗、远程手术、在线沉浸式教育、远程工作、远程控制机器人、环境传感和空间探索。这项工作的教育工作重点是通过课程开发，REU计划和外展工作来支持关键的社会需求，扩大代表性不足的群体在STEM中的参与。将通过向会议、K-12学生和工业界作报告来广泛传播以加强科学和技术的理解。本研究将聚焦于新型反射天线的合成、电磁建模、设计、制造和表征，这些天线在带宽、极化分集和波束导向方面的性能将得到显著改善。具体来说，(a)提供50%分数带宽的非均匀形状宽带反射射线，(b)提供100%分数带宽的三维单元格的超宽带反射射线，以及(c)将开发基于磁电偶极子单元格的波束导向能力的宽带反射射线，该单元格与紧密耦合的偶极子或超形状斑块相结合。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project will develop novel dual-polarized, ultra-wideband and beamstearable high-gain reflectarray antennas for next generation wireless communication systems. The vision of this work will be achieved by developing fundamentally new approaches that will potentially transform antenna designs for mm-wave 5G and 6G communication systems. The focus of this research is on the study, design, and development of non-uniform reflectarray antennas at mm-Wave frequencies that have high performance in terms of bandwidth as well as beam steering ability. This research has the potential to impact disruptive technologies, such as, advanced robotics and human-machine interfaces, big-data apps, communication, and sensing enabling applications like tele-presence services, telemedicine, tele-surgery, online immersive education, tele-work, remotely-controlled robotics, environmental sensing, and space exploration. The educational efforts of this work are focused on broadening participation of underrepresented groups in STEM through curriculum development, REU programs and outreach efforts to support critical societal needs. Broad dissemination to enhance scientific and technological understanding will be accomplished by presentations to conferences, K-12 students, and the industrial community.This research will focus on the synthesis, electromagnetic modeling, design, fabrication, and characterization of novel reflectarray antennas with significantly improved performance in terms of bandwidth, polarization diversity and beamsteering. Specifically, (a) non-uniform shape wideband reflectarrays offering 50% fractional bandwidth, (b) ultra-wideband reflectarrays with three-dimensional unit-cells offering 100% fractional bandwidth, and (c) wideband reflectarrays with beamsteering capabilities based on magneto-electric dipole unit-cells that are integrated with tightly-coupled dipoles or super-shaped patches will be developed.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.