INITIATE=InNovatIve acTIve integrATED antennas

Research Project, 2017 – 2020

The next mobile communication generation, 5G, shall be able to deliver 10 Gbit/s user data rates. This calls for new antenna systems with large number of active antenna elements and advanced beamforming capabilities. However, the implementation of such complex antenna systems into energy- and cost-effective solutions is very challenging. Using existing way to construct radio base stations will not work as most requirements differ significantly, current technology doesn’t scale so far. Thus, a technology paradigm shift is necessary, similar to the changes when wideband systems were introduced (3G) but this shift is much more dramatic. Therefore, we propose to investigate innovative highly-integrated antenna solutions that can lead to compact design, minimum power consumption, and minimum cost of Massive MIMO arrays, for the lower bands (0.5 to 6 GHz). Possible solutions include architectures of tightly coupled radiating antenna elements and power amplifiers (PAs), where the antenna elements can also serve as radio frequency (RF) filters and dynamically-tuned loads for PAs to increase PA power efficiency and the mutual coupling effects can be controlled to improve the linearity of the system. Packaging solutions for the RF electronics will be considered that comply with the size and radio frequency requirements of such architectures. The project team consists of researchers with complementary fields of expertise that is required to reach the goals of this pre-study, and a proven track-record in joint industrial collaborations. Active participation of Ericsson and a fast-growing innovative SME Gapwaves will ensure that the scientific results will be transferred to future products which will benefit the Swedish economy.