The Future is Wireless – Technological Innovations in MW Front-Ends

Abstract:
Whether smart homes or smart grids, whether healthcare, autonomous driving or space travel, 500 billion devices are expected to be connected to the internet and to communicate wirelessly by 2030. The global transmission data rates are still growing exponentially. For a secure and robust data transmission, ever more transmit and receive capabilities need to be installed in a limited space with reduced power consumption, quite often multiple radios in the same communication device. This leads to requirements for higher frequency of operation, higher integration and a necessary miniaturization of all electronic components. This talk will first address the application space of 5G/6G and the resulting technological challenges specifically for future microwave front-end devices. The optimum semiconductor mix will briefly be presented, followed by some examples of emerging front-end technologies to address the forthcoming challenges. Specifically, the size and the performance of passive components plays in important role. Individual passive components often have to perform several functions simultaneously, such as antennas with integrated filtering function (so-called “filtennas”). Some examples of innovative antenna and filter design will be given. The utilisation of metamaterials is another good example how complex functionality of components can be implemented by innovative designs. Selected examples in the area of an optimized front-end amplifier design and heterogenious integration by embedding of GaN devices will finalise the talk.

Bio:
To be updated

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:
To be updated

Eband MMIC Power Amplifier Design

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.

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:
To be updated.

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.

InP LNA, GaAs Mixer and GaN PA MMIC design for mmWave

Abstract:
More information coming

Bio:
To be updated.