Reconfigurable Microwave Devices for Modern Wireless Applications

微波器件的可重构性是现代无线系统发展的一个重要要求。自动驾驶汽车、移动通信、航空航天探索甚至医疗保健行业现在都依赖于智能电子系统。这些系统需要组件级的敏捷性和系统级的适应性来满足必要的需求。考虑到这一点，本研究计划提出了两种可以解决这些挑战的射频（RF）组件设计流：磁控可调谐微波元件：近年来，基于磁性衬底的可调谐射频元件已在块状铁氧体衬底上实现。然而，它们的大尺寸并不能使它们集成到紧凑的通信系统中。在当今时代，智能设备等商业应用要求无线解决方案非常紧凑且易于携带。因此，如果这些基于磁性的组件要与其他技术竞争，则需要在其实现中进行调整。申请人以前使用多层铁氧体LTCC（低温共烧陶瓷）技术来实现紧凑高效的可调谐设计。通过垂直整合，大大减小了尺寸，同时提高了效率流形。然而，两个主要问题仍然没有解决，不能忽视：1)成本，2)射频损耗。这些问题都可以通过采用基于磁性油墨的新型承印技术来解决。这项工作将侧重于设计具有高质量射频性能的经济磁可调谐元件。2. 现场可编程微波基板（FPMS）：类似于磁性可调谐射频器件，FPMS是一种新的创新理念，可以实现利用介电特性而不是磁性特性的可重构射频元件。利用这个想法，设计人员可以使用单个器件来执行多个射频功能。通常射频设备只有一个功能，可调性有限。例如，可调谐天线可以在不同的频带上工作，但其辐射方向图通常是不变的。FPMS提供了一种独特的策略，即单个设备可以执行多种功能。这允许将一系列RF功能集成到单个解决方案中，从最先进的状态中灌输范式转变。然而，再一次主要的挑战是射频损耗，这完全阻碍了射频器件的效率。该提案将专注于改善射频损耗，以及其他设计进步，以展示基于FPMS技术的高增益和可重构天线设计。经费将资助培养4名研究生和5名本科生。他们将获得必要的技能，在加拿大的行业中找到工作，无线应用正在迅速发展，对高技能hqp的需求正在上升。

Reconfigurability of microwave devices is a key feature that is fast becoming a vital requirement for modern wireless systems. Autonomous Vehicles, Mobile Communication, Aviation & Space Exploration and even the Healthcare Industry is now relying on intelligent electronic systems. These systems need component-level agility and system-level adaptability to meet the necessary requirements. Keeping this in view, this research program proposes two streams of radio frequency (RF) component design that can answer these challenges: 1. Magnetically Controlled Tunable Microwave Components: Tunable RF components based on magnetic substrates have been realized on bulk ferrite substrates over the years. However, their large size did not render them integrable in compact communication systems. In the present day and age, commercial applications such as smart gadgets require wireless solutions to be extremely compact and easily portable. Thus, if these magnetic based components are to compete with the other technologies, then there needs to be an adaptation in their implementation. The applicant has previously used the multilayer ferrite LTCC (Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic) technology to realize compact and efficient tunable designs. By the virtue of vertical integration, the size was reduced immensely while improving efficiency manifolds. However, two major issues are still left outstanding and cannot be over-looked: i) Cost, ii) RF Loss. These problems can be resolved by using the new substrate printing techniques based on magnetic inks. The work will focus on designing economical magnetically tunable components with high quality RF performance. 2. Field Programmable Microwave Substrate (FPMS): Analogous to magnetically tunable RF devices, FPMS is a new innovative idea that can realize reconfigurable RF components exploiting dielectric properties as opposed to the magnetic ones. Using this idea, the designers can employ a single device to perform multiple RF functions. Usually an RF device has a single function associated with it with limited tunability. For instance, a tunable antenna can be operated at different frequency bands, but its radiation pattern is usually unaltered. FPMS provides a unique strategy where a single device can perform multiple functions. This allows for a range of RF functions to be integrated into a single solution, inculcating a paradigm shift from the state of the art. However, once again the dominant challenge is RF loss, that completely hampers the efficiency of the RF devices. The proposal will focus on improving the RF loss, among other design advancements to demonstrate high gain and reconfigurable antenna designs based on FPMS technology. The grant will support the training of 4 graduate and 5 undergraduate students. They will acquire the necessary skills to find employment in Canadian industries where wireless applications are rapidly growing and the need of highly skilled HQPs is on the rise.