Frequency Band Expansion of Agilent N5227A PNA to 110 GHz

毫米波无线通信和成像系统正用于各种应用和服务，如移动宽带通信、更高容量和数据传输、高速公路安全、智能交通系统、卫生服务和民用超宽带雷达。对于这些应用，需要毫米波平面天线解决方案，因为它们具有低轮廓、轻重量和可重复性。从这个角度来看，申请人寻求NSERC的支持，以获得天线实验室的毫米波测量设备扩展到170 GHz。从目前的67 GHz PNA扩展到170 GHz所需的扩展将专门用于支持正在进行的研究和5G应用前端的未来方向，以及新提出的虚拟现实应用（计划于今年Discovery应用）。该设备将用于研究新的、创新的大孔径天线和大型平面相控阵天线，用于研究项目，包括雷达/传感器天线的研究。这种仪器是必需的，因为我们的测量设备目前不具备这些频率范围的能力。一般来说，康科迪亚缺乏足够的微波设备，而这些设备对于研究计划的成功和培养毫米波应用领域的研究生至关重要。目前，新型创新大孔径天线的设计和建造正在计划中，需要进行全面测试以进行设计验证。为了覆盖170 GHz，需要三个扩展头（50-75 GHz， 75-110 GHz和110-170 GHz）。然而，成本超出了RTI上限范围。因此，我们将我们的请求限制在当前迫切需要覆盖75-110 GHz。

Millimeter-wave wireless communication and imaging systems are emerging for diverse applications and services, such as mobile broadband communications, higher capacity and data transfer, highway safety, intelligent transport systems, health services and civilian ultra-wide band radar. For these applications, mm-wave planar antenna solutions are required due to their low profile, light-weight, and reproducibility. In this perspective, the applicants seek the support from NSERC to acquire expansion of the millimeter wave measurement facilities at the antenna laboratory up to 170 GHz. The required expansion from the current 67 GHz PNA to 170 GHz will be dedicated to supporting ongoing research and future direction of the front end of the 5G application as well as the newly proposed application of virtual reality, which is planned for this year Discovery application. The equipment will be used to pursue studies of new, innovative antennas of large aperture and large planar phased array antennas for research projects, including studies of radar/sensor antennas. This instrumentation is needed because our measurement facility does not currently have the capability for these frequency ranges. Generally, Concordia lacks the sufficient microwave equipment that is crucial for the success of its research program and for training their graduate students in the field of millimeter wave applications. Currently, design and construction of new and innovative large aperture antennas are in the plan, and full-scale testing is needed for design validation. To cover up to 170 GHz, three expansion heads require (50-75 GHz, 75-110 GHz, and 110-170 GHz). However, the cost is beyond the limits of RTI upper range. We, therefore, limit our request to the current urgent need to cover 75-110 GHz. This equipment will have a significant impact on our research and the development of highly efficient antenna arrays based on newly developed highly efficient Gap Waveguide. Also, this equipment will help the engagement of the University with the industry in the area and help in the economic development of the area. As widely noted by the industry, a shortage of RF, wireless, and microwave engineers has been evident in the past few years, and this growing problem must be addressed in order to maintain the leadership of Canada in the rapidly growing and demanding information and communication vast areas in the 21st century. The instrumentation supported by this program will provide the latest technology for instruction in antenna design and testing to facilitate technology research and education. The graduates of our program will be able to use new methods for antenna design and be able to build and test large array, state-of-the-art antenna components needed for millimeter-wave systems of the future based on experiences with this new instrumentation as well as existing facilities.