Descrizione del progetto
Interruttori MEMS compatti a radiofrequenza erogano una potenza elevata
I sistemi microelettromeccanici ad alte prestazioni (MEMS) e i circuiti integrati monolitici a microonde (MMIC) sono componenti chiave per la miniaturizzazione dei circuiti a radiofrequenza. I minuscoli dispositivi a radiofrequenza ad alte prestazioni sono molto apprezzati nel mercato dei moduli front-end a radiofrequenza. Ad esempio, gli interruttori MEMS sono più piccoli e leggeri di qualsiasi altra tecnologia di commutazione, hanno una perdita di inserzione molto bassa e possono gestire livelli di potenza significativi, perfetti per l’uso in radar commerciali, comunicazioni satellitari o comunicazioni backhaul. Il progetto SMARTEC, finanziato dall’UE, svilupperà interruttori MEMS a radiofrequenza basati su MMIC a nitruro di gallio. La tecnologia è adatta per la progettazione di interruttori ad alta potenza e offre numerosi vantaggi rispetto a soluzioni alternative. I processi di fabbricazione semplificati ridurranno i costi del 25 %, favorendo nettamente la produzione di massa della tecnologia.
Obiettivo
SMARTEC proposes to raise a unique Power-RF nanoelectronics innovation from TRL6 to TRL8, that will radically transform future transceiver RF-power modules (TRX) and to produce them through a dedicated pilot line. These novel TRX of enhanced performance, smaller size and lower manufacturing cost will be core components of new products, addressing several segments of the RF-power market. SMARTEC paves the way to its stakeholders to access new markets and/or help them sustain their positioning in their industry rivalry, as well as increase their market shares. Moreover, SMARTEC will create new value propositions to several other markets (airliners, airports, air & sea vessel manufacturers, tour operators, etc.), as well as to several customer & social groups (passengers, tourists, ecologists & government bodies). The proposed pilot line will fill a gap in the European landscape of power RF manufactures and help European firms using power RF front ends compete global players. Industry faces 2 challenges: (A) In general, upcoming power RF front end markets (e.g. commercial radars, backhaul, SATCOM) demand more and more higher power levels, higher frequencies, the ability to sustain power-ups, and all at smaller size and lower cost. (B) Two specific “RF-Power Systems-based industry”, those of Avionics and Maritime, are about to face an obligatory adaption to new or updated strict EU regulations (RECAT EU3 & COLREGS), regarding, Airport and maritime Safety. The proposed coplanar monolithic GaN MMICs and RF MEMS (only available by TRT and FORTH) product is addressing simultaneously all aforementioned industry problems, while all other competing technologies (commercially available or not) offer partial solutions. Furthermore, the simplified SMARTEC fabrication process alleviates back-end production steps thus lowering cost by 25% which for mass applications (e.g. 5G) can prove the key winning factor.
Campo scientifico
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringsatellite technology
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationsradio technologyradar
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringnaval engineeringsea vessels
- engineering and technologynanotechnologynanoelectronics
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
IA - Innovation actionCoordinatore
92190 MEUDON
Francia