Compact Millimeter Wave Integration Concept for Future Wireless and Sensor Systems

Research Project, 2016 – 2017

The trend towards larger antenna systems, millimeter waves, and increased functionality in future communication and sensor (radar) systems creates major challenges and opportunities for companies like Ericsson and Saab. Today's established manufacturing processes and construction methods are an order of magnitude from meeting the requirements of size, cost and performance that will be required.

In this pre-study, Ericsson, SAAB, and Chalmers University of Technology join to investigate the feasibility of a new building practice that addresses the requirements of future millimeter wave systems. The proposed building practice enables a compact and high-performance integration of gallium nitride, silicon CMOS and ball-grid-array packaging technologies. This opens completely new opportunities to build millimeter wave systems with high power, high efficiency, high functionality, and low cost in a small form factor.

The feasibility study and the subsequent project is founded on the parties' unique background in integrated gallium nitride processes with high output power (Chalmers), production processes at millimeter wave frequencies (Ericsson) and advanced construction methods for large antenna systems (Saab).

The results of the project are of central importance to the long-term competitiveness of Swedish basic industry in wireless communications and security fields. The great potential of the building practice also lays the foundation for completely new application areas, e.g. within areas of manufacturing, medicine and space.