To enable high-speed wireless communication between chips on computer boards, energy-efficient and broadband on-chip antennas are required. At the targeted frequency range of 180 GHz to 300 GHz, the size of the antennas compared to the chip area is small. This allows the placement of multiple antennas within an array on one-chip. The antennas and arrays including the beam-switching enabling feeding network will be developed in project A05. Furthermore, on-chip antennas require sophisticated measurement methods, which will also be developed within this project.

Role within the CRC 912

Antenna development and wave propagation analysis interacts with several other HAEC projects. Therefore the following collaborations between A05 and other Projects are existing:

© CRC 912

• A02: Channel characterization, including antenna parameters, will support project A02 in the system analysis and modem design. On the other hand, beamforming requirements, like coverage and gain, will influence the antenna designs. Antenna array configurations have to be known to the digital control unit.
• A03: Clear definitions of the antenna parameters and channel models are required for the network architecture to be developed in project A03. 
• A02, A03: The type of channel between two nodes influences the selection of the modulation scheme and error correction measures. Project A05 will provide measurement data to projects A02 and A03.
• A01, A07: On the hardware side, a cooperation between A05, A01 and A07 is mandatory to realize their RFICs. Coordination is necessary to define the interface between frontend and antennas. The design of antenna arrays also depends on the number of power and low noise amplifiers and phase shifters that can be integrated on chip. For on-chip antennas, it is necessary to integrate the antennas in the chip layout data.
• A01: To realize low loss assembly technologies, especially for antenna and chip packaging interaction and antenna integration an interaction between A05 and A01 is necessary.
• A06: Especially for the feasibility of on-chip antennas, cooperation with project A06 is necessary. Project A06 will develop models for on-chip integrated circuit elements and therefore need input on special antenna design aspects. On the other side, project A05 needs to know technical specifications for accurate simulation of on-chip antennas.
• A08: It is also necessary to analyze security threats in wireless communication with project A08. The characteristics of antennas can influence the necessary security measures for the air interface. If highly focused pencil beams are feasible, security measures can be reduced because beamsteering ensures secure connections. On the other hand, quasi omnidirectional patterns require additional security measures to ensure data reception for the valid receiver only.

Staff

Principal Investigator

• Prof. Dirk Plettemeier

PhD Students

• M.Sc. Patrick Sascha Seiler
• Dipl.-Ing. Mario Schiselski

former staff

• Dipl.-Ing. Michael Jenning
• Dr.-Ing. Yun Lu