Advanced Multi-band Interferometric Front-ends and Transceivers for Next Generations Ubiquitous Millimeter-wave Applications

毫米波（mm-wave）频段尤其令人感兴趣，因为在60-90 GHz频段上，大量的射频频谱已在全球范围内分配给无线通信、雷达和成像传感器。密集的研究工作已经开始设计紧凑和低成本的毫米波收发器，包括90-140 GHz以上的新兴应用。未来的5G/ 6G无线系统已经引起了世界各地研究人员和工程师的关注和想象。预计无线数据流量将呈指数级增长。硬件实现和信道条件的基本限制限制了传统微波选项的可行性。为了实现多Gb/s的数据速率，毫米波频谱可以使用更简单和低成本的调制方式来使用大带宽。干涉收发器也是毫米波汽车雷达和成像传感器的优秀候选者。热门话题还包括用于自动巡航控制和车对车高速通信的组合收发器、物联网传感器、安全和监控。实际毫米波元件和系统测量设备的改进也是必须的。这个方向的努力今年已经在我们的NSERC联盟资助下开始了。今天在毫米波研究中需要解决的技术挑战是前所未有的。该计划将利用我们的研究团队在毫米波电路、系统和干涉测量技术方面的强大专业知识。该研究计划的总体目标是：(i)为新兴应用和测量系统提出并验证创新和高性能的毫米波架构；（ii）寻找采用低成本制造技术的高能效和小型化前端多芯片集成模块的新解决方案；（iii）在INRS-EMT建立一个永久的HQP库，用于开发先进的射频技术。由于低成本集成技术的实际限制，将主要考虑用于V/ e波段无线通信的毫米波收发器。为了验证新架构，为了初始快速原型，考虑了在极薄陶瓷基板上的内部低成本微型混合微波集成电路（MHMIC）技术。经过学生更复杂的设计规则训练，CMOS单片微波集成电路（MMIC）可以在CMC微系统制造。电路、模块和收发器原型的测量和表征将在INRS-EMT毫米波实验室使用最先进的设备进行。集成电路将使用带有适当连接器的金属固定装置嵌入前端。从该计划中产生的新知识以及与这项工作的不同阶段相关的高素质人才的培训，必将有助于提高加拿大在这一高科技部门的全球竞争力。

Millimeter wave (mm-wave) bands are especially of interest because a massive amount of RF spectrum has been allocated worldwide for wireless communications, radar and imaging sensors over 60-90 GHz band. Intensive research efforts have been started to design compact and low-cost mm-wave transceivers including emerging applications over 90-140 GHz. The future 5G/ 6G wireless systems have captured the attention and imagination of researchers and engineers around the world. Wireless data traffic is projected to increase exponentially. Fundamental limits on hardware implementation and channel conditions limit the viability of the conventional microwave options. In order to achieve multi Gb/s data-rates, the mm-wave spectrum enables the use of large bandwidths with simpler and low-cost modulations. Interferometric transceivers are also excellent candidates for mm-wave automotive radar and imaging sensors. Hot topics are also combined transceivers for autonomous cruise control and vehicle to vehicle high-speed communications, IoT sensors, security and surveillance. Improvement of actual mm-wave component and system measurement equipment is also mandatory. Efforts in this direction already started this year in our NSERC Alliance Grant with Focus Microwaves. Technical challenges to be addressed today in the mm-wave research are unprecedented. The proposed program will take advantage of our research team's strong expertise in mm-wave circuits, systems, and interferometric techniques. The general objectives of this research program are: (i) to propose and to validate innovative and performant mm-wave architectures for emerging applications and measurement systems; (ii) to find new solutions for high energy efficiency and miniaturized front-end multi-chip integrated modules using low-cost fabrication technologies; (iii) to establish a permanent pool of HQP at the INRS-EMT, for the development of advanced RF technologies. The mm-wave transceivers for wireless communications in V/E-band will be primarily considered due to the actual limitation of low-cost integrated technologies. In order to validate novel architectures, for initial fast prototyping, in-house low-cost Miniaturized Hybrid Microwave Integrated Circuits (MHMIC) technology on very thin ceramic substrate is taken into account. After student training with more complex design rules, CMOS Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMIC) can be fabricated at CMC Microsystems. Measurements and characterization of the circuits, modules, and transceiver prototypes will be performed in the INRS-EMT mm-wave laboratory using state-of-the-art equipment. Integrated circuits will be embedded in front-ends using metallic fixtures with appropriate connectors. The new knowledge that will emerge from this program and the training of highly qualified personnel associated to the different stages of this work will certainly contribute to enhance Canada's global competitiveness in this high-technology sector.