New mmWave Phased Array Techniques and the UKRI National mmWave Measurement Laboratory

Abstract:
The University of Sheffield is home to the UKRI National mmWave Measurement Laboratory, with device and antenna measurement capabilities to 220GHz. In this talk the capabilities of the lab, recent measurement activities and areas of interest will be discussed. The talk will then focus on various recent design activities relating to mmWave Phased Array architectures. Direct antenna modulation, ISAC and conventional beamforming work at E band will be shared and discussed. Some of our related ongoing and future research activities will also be discussed.

Bio:
Eddie Ball has 30 years of advanced radio circuit and system design experience, including 20 years of industrial experience, having worked at Cambridge Consultants (Principal Engineer) and Tunstall Healthcare (Radio System Architect). In November 2015 he joined the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Sheffield, where he now works as Professor of RF Engineering.
He is group leader of the Electromagnetics, Wireless Hardware and RF Devices Group and is also a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow (investigating future mmWave Transceivers). He is the director of the UKRI National mmWave Measurement Laboratory, also at Sheffield.
His research interests cover all areas of radio technology: from RF system design, RF circuit design (sub-GHz to mmWave), signal processing, and the application of radio technology to real-world industrial, defence and commercial problems. He has a particular passion for RF hardware design and manufacturing. Professor Ball is a senior member of the IEEE, member of the IET and is a Chartered Engineer.

High-Performance E-Band MMIC Front-Ends: Design, Test, and SMT Packaging

Abstract:
The use of E-band spectrum between 71 and 86 GHz for 5G backhaul and feeder links for LEO constellations is growing rapidly due to light licensing and the ability to support >10 Gbps. These high-capacity E-band links require high power, high efficiency, linear amplifiers for the transmitter and low-noise, high dynamic range amplifiers for the receiver. In this presentation we discuss the semiconductor technology and circuit design trade-offs involved in Altum RF’s development of the industry’s highest power GaAs E-band power amplifiers and the lowest noise figure surface-mount technology (SMT) low-noise amplifier. The challenges of product qualification and volume manufacturing with 100% RF test of these millimeter-wave products will be described, as well as the high-performance SMT package. The resulting benefits in terms of performance improvement and cost reduction will be explained as well as some insights into Altum RF’s future product developments for next generation systems.

Bio:
Tony Fattorini has worked in the microwave industry for 30 years and is currently VP Engineering at Altum RF which he joined in 2019. Prior to Altum RF, he was an Engineering Manager at MACOM and spent many years in MMIC design and application roles at MACOM, Mimix Broadband and Roke Manor Research. He received the BSc degree in Physics and an MSc degree in Communication Engineering from the University of Manchester.

5G NTN Space Lab

Abstract:
Meridian Space aims to empower any sovereign or commercial entity to own and operate its own LEO SATCOM constellation. To advance this vision, Meridian Space in partnership with Kongsberg NanoAvionics are launching the First Customer Link (FCL) mission late this year. The FCL satellite will be used to test and validate Meridian Space’s beamforming antenna and payload technology, as well as serve as a testbed to further advance and mature its overall offering.
To realize this vision, a key step in making this a reality is integrating Meridian with the 5G and 3GPP ecosystem to deliver a high-speed, cost-effective ground segment solution. Within the context of the FCL mission, Meridian intends to test and evolve its innovative 5G NTN approach to its ground segment and network architecture. To facilitate this endeavor, in cooperation with Space South Central and Surrey University, Meridian Space intends to build and operate a 5G NTN Space Lab. This lab will deploy a full 5G network connected through the FCL satellite and additional future Meridian satellites expected to launch in 2027 and 2028.
This 5G NTN Space Lab will be time-shared among Meridian engineers advancing ground and space segment technology, university researchers working on cutting-edge 5G and 6G applications, and students training to become the next generation of leaders in space-based telecom.
So, how do you build a 5G NTN Space Lab? Join us to learn and participate in how this advanced technology is developed.

Bio:
Udi Blich is a seasoned R&D leader with 20+ years of experience in advanced wireless telecommunications development and is currently the Director of R&D UK, 5G Systems at Meridian Space. Prior to Meridian Space, he spent many years leading multidisciplinary teams developing and designing software-defined telecom payloads, 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), MIMO systems, and wireless mesh networks. His extensive technical background spans algorithm development, architecture and system engineering, MAC protocols, and signal processing for both terrestrial and space environments.

Solving Wideband Amplification Challenges with Distributed Amplifiers

Abstract:
Distributed amplifiers based on GaAs technology have long been used to deliver wideband performance that is not possible with alternative amplifier topologies, but are inherently limited in the output power they can achieve. CML Micro overcomes this limitation with a new distributed amplifier implemented in GaN‑on‑SiC technology, enabling significantly higher output power while preserving wideband operation. This talk reviews the operating principles of distributed amplifiers and highlights the performance advantages made possible by GaN-on-SiC. It concludes with an overview of the capabilities and application benefits of CML Micro’s portfolio of distributed amplifiers.

Bio:
Dr. Robert Smith is Product Line Director for RF and mmWave Compound Semiconductor products at CML Micro. His role includes overseeing the design of mmWave GaN power amplifiers, broadband MMICs, LNAs and RF switches. His experience encompasses designing on GaAs and GaN processes at Qorvo, Wolfspeed and WIN Semiconductors. Before joining PRFI, Robert designed transmitter modules for active phased array radar.

He received a Ph.D. in microwave engineering from Cardiff University, where he specialised in broadband power amplifier design. Robert is a reviewer for IEEE Microwave and Wireless Component Letters, has written multiple conference and industrial journal papers and is on the Editorial Review Board for Microwave Journal. He received his MBA in Technology Management in 2023.

RF/mmWave silicon enabling the SATCOM Space Race

Abstract:
Technological advancements in satellite payloads and ground terminals, enabled by modern silicon technologies, are transforming satellite communications. Growing demand for ubiquitous connectivity, higher data rates, and lower latency is driving innovation utilizing high speed, mainstream silicon processes. These technologies are now being deployed across non geostationary orbit (NGSO) constellations, earth terminals, and emerging “direct-to-device” payload solutions.

This presentation examines the RF and mmWave silicon circuit and system level challenges involved in closing broadband link budgets for space communications. It highlights architectures and implementations for both dedicated user terminals and direct-to-device satellite connectivity, illustrating how silicon integration is enabling scalable, high-performance satellite networks

Bio:
Alan Wong is CTO at EnSilica plc, based in Oxford, UK. He leads the design and supply of volume-production silicon RF/mmWave ASICs for safety-critical, high-reliability markets across communications, and sensing & control applications.

Alan is a Chartered Engineer (CEng), MIET, and a Senior Member of the IEEE. He has served as a Technical Program Committee member for ISSCC and on IEEE802 standards committees. He graduated from the University of Oxford.

High-Performance mmWave MMICs: Balancing Power, Linearity, Efficiency, and Bandwidth

Abstract:
As wireless and satellite communication systems evolve toward higher data rates, wider bandwidths, and greater coverage, the performance requirements placed on RF and millimeter-wave front ends continue to increase. Achieving high output power, excellent linearity, high efficiency, and wide bandwidth simultaneously remains one of the fundamental challenges in mmWave system design.

In this talk, Dr. Seyed Tabatabaei will discuss the key semiconductor and circuit-design challenges involved in developing high-performance mmWave MMICs for applications including satellite communications, 5G/6G, and other emerging high-frequency systems. He will explore the trade-offs between power, linearity, efficiency, bandwidth, and thermal performance, and how these parameters translate into system-level benefits such as increased range, higher data rates, and improved energy efficiency.

Drawing on mmTron’s experience developing products using advanced semiconductor technologies including GaN, GaAs, InP, and SiGe, the presentation will highlight practical approaches to pushing MMIC performance while addressing the realities of manufacturability, reliability, and commercial deployment.
The talk will conclude with a perspective on the future of mmWave semiconductor technology and the opportunities for continued innovation in RF and microwave systems.

Bio:
Dr. Seyed A. Tabatabaei is the Founder and CEO of mmTron, a semiconductor company developing high-performance RF and millimeter-wave integrated circuits for next-generation satellite communications, 5G/6G, instrumentation, and defense applications. He has extensive experience in RF and mmWave technology, with a career spanning semiconductor design, product development, and engineering leadership.

Before founding mmTron in 2020, Dr. Tabatabaei founded and led Teramics, a design services company specializing in mmWave technologies. Previously, he served as Vice President of Semiconductor Products at Endwave Corporation and held engineering and technical positions at Hewlett-Packard, M/A-COM, and the Laboratory for Physical Sciences.

Dr. Tabatabaei holds a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a management certificate from the MIT Sloan School of Business. His work focuses on advancing MMIC technology to achieve the demanding combination of high output power, linearity, efficiency, and bandwidth required by emerging mmWave systems.