17-03-2014, 10:59 AM
Abstract
Adaptive antenna technology represents the most
advanced smart antenna approach to date. Using a
variety of new signal-processing algorithms, the
adaptive system takes advantage of its ability to
effectively locate and track various types of signals
to dynamically minimize interference and maximize
intended signal reception. This paper presents the
design and development of a Micro Antenna for
SoC, working at 43.763 GHz and controlled by
independent MEMS based DMTL Phase Shifters
which are low power in nature. We have also
explored other required low power SoC devices
which would also have the ability to reconfigure to
the demands of our communication device. This in
turn will enhance the desirability of our adaptive
antenna for future low power mobile devices. The
criteria for such a device must be its small size, a
functionality that must make it possible to use over a
wide variety of applications and similar fabrication
techniques as with the rest of the SoC design. Our
MEMS based design allows us to have all the
communication and control circuitry on a single
silicon substrate; enabling easy fabrication.
1. Introduction
Communication has expanded much rapidly in the
past couple of decades, and the ever expanding need
of communication bandwidth defines new
communication protocols which in turn expect
better technology to fill in the gap. It would be ideal
to have the entire communication module on a
single substrate which makes it easier to reuse in a
SoC scenario. An antenna is an important part of the
communication module which if reduced in size would
help reduce the overall system, it would also be ideal
to make it reconfigurable to help use the same design
for a wide variety of devices and applications.
However, in an adaptive design it is not the antenna
that is smart but the accompanying digital signal
processing system which allows it to reconfigure to
the environment and signal conditions. In this design,
we have developed an electrically small antenna,
which can be reconfigured in terms of frequency and
may also increase or decrease its Directivity, which is
a measure of the gain of an antenna in a particular
direction. Depending on the application the antenna
can pick up a faint signal by increasing its gain or
overcome interference by creating a null point,
enabling smart devices to configure themselves to any
given network or environment.
The design of the Adaptive Micro Antenna
comprises of the following parts; a reconfigurable
patch antenna along with the analog hardware, which
would be the front end of the system, while in the back
end, would be the controlling digital hardware.
In earlier adaptive antenna systems these parts
would usually be in totally different parts of the device
where the antenna had no capability to reconfigure
itself, while the digital radio section would reconfigure
in order to adapt the entire system. In our design we
have integrated a reconfigurable antenna with the
digital radio section on the same silicon substrate,
allowing the system to reconfigure on both the front
end and back end giving the extra flexibility.
Adaptive antenna technology represents the most
advanced smart antenna approach to date. Using a
variety of new signal-processing algorithms, the
adaptive system takes advantage of its ability to
effectively locate and track various types of signals
to dynamically minimize interference and maximize
intended signal reception. This paper presents the
design and development of a Micro Antenna for
SoC, working at 43.763 GHz and controlled by
independent MEMS based DMTL Phase Shifters
which are low power in nature. We have also
explored other required low power SoC devices
which would also have the ability to reconfigure to
the demands of our communication device. This in
turn will enhance the desirability of our adaptive
antenna for future low power mobile devices. The
criteria for such a device must be its small size, a
functionality that must make it possible to use over a
wide variety of applications and similar fabrication
techniques as with the rest of the SoC design. Our
MEMS based design allows us to have all the
communication and control circuitry on a single
silicon substrate; enabling easy fabrication.
1. Introduction
Communication has expanded much rapidly in the
past couple of decades, and the ever expanding need
of communication bandwidth defines new
communication protocols which in turn expect
better technology to fill in the gap. It would be ideal
to have the entire communication module on a
single substrate which makes it easier to reuse in a
SoC scenario. An antenna is an important part of the
communication module which if reduced in size would
help reduce the overall system, it would also be ideal
to make it reconfigurable to help use the same design
for a wide variety of devices and applications.
However, in an adaptive design it is not the antenna
that is smart but the accompanying digital signal
processing system which allows it to reconfigure to
the environment and signal conditions. In this design,
we have developed an electrically small antenna,
which can be reconfigured in terms of frequency and
may also increase or decrease its Directivity, which is
a measure of the gain of an antenna in a particular
direction. Depending on the application the antenna
can pick up a faint signal by increasing its gain or
overcome interference by creating a null point,
enabling smart devices to configure themselves to any
given network or environment.
The design of the Adaptive Micro Antenna
comprises of the following parts; a reconfigurable
patch antenna along with the analog hardware, which
would be the front end of the system, while in the back
end, would be the controlling digital hardware.
In earlier adaptive antenna systems these parts
would usually be in totally different parts of the device
where the antenna had no capability to reconfigure
itself, while the digital radio section would reconfigure
in order to adapt the entire system. In our design we
have integrated a reconfigurable antenna with the
digital radio section on the same silicon substrate,
allowing the system to reconfigure on both the front
end and back end giving the extra flexibility.