Development finalization and optimization of Argo Semi Active Antenna Catalyst to revolutionize sub-6GHz 5G wireless systems

Project Information

Argo Active Antenna

Grant agreement ID: 101188086

DOI

10.3030/101188086

EC signature date 20 November 2024

Start date 1 December 2024

End date 30 November 2026

Funded under

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 2 486 874,00

Coordinated by

ARGO IMIAGOGOI ANONYMI ETAIREIA
Greece

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Argo Active Antenna (Development finalization and optimization of Argo Semi Active Antenna Catalyst to revolutionize sub-6GHz 5G wireless systems)

Reporting period: 2024-12-01 to 2025-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Next-generation wireless networks face major challenges as 5G, 5G-Advanced and future 6G introduce more radios for communication, radar, NTN and ambient IoT. Current radio architectures are highly complex, consume excessive energy and require 32–256 RF paths per radio unit, each costing around €200. This drives high CAPEX and OPEX, slows deployment, and contributes to the EU’s 5G Standalone penetration presently remaining below 2%. The lack of efficient and affordable radio systems limits the economic and societal benefits expected from advanced connectivity. ArgoSemi aims to address this bottleneck through the development of the Active Antenna Catalyst (AAC): a modular, highly integrated active antenna module combining a 2D metamaterial printed antenna, a single-board architecture and a Smart RFIC with embedded analog AI. This solution reduces the number of required modules, lowers energy consumption by more than 25% and enables wide-band, multi-radio operation in a compact form factor.
The project targets a seamless transition from design to physical prototypes and validation with third-party partners, ultimately enabling affordable, scalable and energy-efficient radio solutions for European operators.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The project has delivered significant progress during the first 12 months, including but not limited to RF circuit and antenna optimisation and active antenna catalyst Gen-2 development. This compact approach replaces several discrete modules and supports flexible, modular integration.

We have also taken steps towards exploiting the project results through communication and dissemination involvements, and have developed a robust IP strategy to protect its outcomes

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The results achieved so far in the project already move beyond the state of the art by validating a highly integrated active antenna architecture that is significantly more compact, energy-efficient and cost-effective than current 5G and pre-6G solutions. The expected impact is substantial: the technology directly addresses key market barriers in energy efficiency and deployment cost, accelerates access to operators seeking scalable 5G SA and 6G-ready solutions, and offers strong internationalisation potential given global demand for affordable high-performance radios. By progressing toward a European-designed RFIC and compact radio architecture, the project also supports EU technological sovereignty and competitiveness in next-generation wireless systems.

AAC II