Project description
Tiny, energy-efficient communication devices using spin waves
The EU-funded MandMEMS project proposes the development of a new generation of devices for radiofrequency communication and microwave signal processing. Researchers will combine the tuning capacity of magnonic systems (which use spin waves to process analogue and digital signals) with the speed of microelectromechanical systems in a single chip. The proposed chip technology will disrupt the wafer-scale production of different devices; it will bring spin-wave devices to a new level in terms of energy efficiency, agility, reconfigurability and carbon footprint.
Objective
The M&MEMS project aims at combining the tunability of magnonic systems with the power efficiency and the agility of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), thus empowering a new generation of devices for radio-frequency (RF) communication and microwave signal processing. The consortium brings together 7 EU research groups and 2 industrial partners with a broad range of leading expertise in the fields of magnonics, MEMS, material science and RF electronics. We will first optimize the individual magnonic and MEMS building blocks by simulations and experiments. Then MEMS actuator with permanent magnets will be integrated in standalone PCB demonstrators for the first time. Such M&MEMS chip, which have the capacity to disrupt the wafer-scale based hardware industries, will serve as the cornerstones of a new technology platform bringing spin-wave devices to a new level in terms of energy efficiency, agility, reconfigurability and footprint. Two analog RF electronic functions have been identified by our end-users: an agile-filter with potential application in the field of 5G communication and beyond (NOKIA) and a programmable phase shifter array, the building block of novel directional antenna (Thales). A dedicated Advisory Board (including Rohde & Schwarz and ST Microelectronics) will support the two end-users, having the mission to investigate other possible applications and eventually produce the Roadmap “Beyond M&MEMS”.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationsradio technologyradio frequency
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationstelecommunications networksmobile network5G
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsignal processing
- natural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicsmicroelectronics
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation ActionsCoordinator
67663 Kaiserslautern
Germany