High-Int
Highly-efficient integrated antennas for the new generation of communication systems in the millimetre band
- Vinnova
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- Smartare Elektroniksystem
Highly-efficient integrated antennas for the new generation of communication systems in the millimetre band
High-Int is a Vinnova project, funded under the Smartare Elektroniksystem framework.
Wireless communications are rapidly evolving. In particular, users are demanding new services in the present networks that require of higher data transfer. The new generation of mobile communications, 5G, started to be deployed at the end of 2019. However, 5G will only cover the present needs of the users. Further research to increase the rates of wireless communications is needed now to cover the expectations in a near future. Since most of the low frequency spectrum is already crowded, the only possibility is increasing the operational frequency where narrow bands permit larger data transfer and short delays.
High-Int will enable a complementary cooperation between both Ericsson and KTH. KTH has experience in the development of innovative antenna solutions, typically fully-metallic antennas based on the concept of lenses and leaky-waves, and Ericsson AB is a leading technology-driven company in telecommunications.
Qingbi Liao is a PhD student at KTH.
When and why did you decide to pursue a career in electromagnetics?
I decided to start my PhD in electromagnetics in 2016. In my master study, I majored in wireless communication. And I worked on the channel modelling of millimeter wave as my master project. At that time, I noticed rapid growing requirements of high data transfer for the future communications. However, the low frequency spectrum has limited the bandwidth and data rate of current communications. Millimeter wave is potential to provide low latency, wide bandwidth, and high data rate. At the millimeter wave frequency, electronics devices, such as antennas and circuits, are required to have low loss and high efficiency. In electromagnetics, it is challenging to fulfil these requirement at such high frequency bands. As an engineer, I am interested in developing qualified and innovative components, especially antennas, for the millimeter wave bands in electromagnetics.
What challenges are you addressing in the Vinnova project: High-Int?
In the Vinnova project, High-Int, we cooperate with Ericsson to develop innovative antenna solutions. The frequency we are interested is the millimeter wave band. For these high frequency bands, low-loss and high directive antennas are the main challenges. Considering the mobility of users in 5G, fast beam switching, multiple beams, and beam scanning are preferred in antenna designs. Lenses and leaky-wave antennas with the fully-metallic structures can be potential solutions to the mentioned challenges. Besides, the manufacturing in the high frequency band is expensive. A cost-effective manufacturing is also an interesting research topic.
What are your long-term goals for your career in electromagnetics in Sweden?
I would like to continue working on the antenna designs in electromagnetics. After I became experienced enough in the antenna fields, and was able to sense demands of future products, I hope I could mentor a team to design cutting edge electromagnetic components.