Periodic Reporting for period 2 - Car2TERA (Terahertz sensors and networks for next generation smart automotive electronic systems)
Période du rapport: 2020-07-01 au 2023-03-31
The problem addressed in Car2TERA is that more and more applications appear which require higher frequency spectrums (above 150 GHz), but industries move very slowly and try to adapt existing technologies instead of daring to introduce disrupting technologies to solve the problems in an optimum way. Introducing disruptive technologies is even more difficult when technology has to be developed for cost-sensitive and high volume applications. Car2TERA addresses both by working on the following problems:
(1) a new class of car radars, which is in cabin car-radars for monitoring the interior of the car, requiring high resolution on a low range, and having strong cost constrains which require new and innovative solutions such as the micromachined beam-forming technology developed at KTH which results in high performance but only requiring a drastically reduced antenna system size, as well as the frequency beam-sweeping which requires much less hardware complexity as compared to conventional phased-array or even digital beamforming.
(2) Terahertz-over-plastic-fibre: many applications, in particular radio-access-network base-stations, have multiple short-range (<10m) high data rate wired links, as of now implemented by optical-communication links. The optical links are prone to reliability issues (life time), practical handling issues (dust particles), and high cost. Therefore, upconverting the data to millimeter-wave frequencies and sending the signal over plastic-microwave fibre, as pioneered by Car2TERA for the D-band, is an excellence alternative solving this technology problem.
Modern cars have added functionality in terms of autonomous functions and in terms of passenger safety. This requires a large number of new sensors. Car2TERA developed a new type of high-resolution, low-range, in-cabin radar sensor concept and has successfully demonstrated it in DEM1. For DEM2, Car2TERA has successfully demonstrated a D-band PMF link, which contributes significantly to cost reduction of the radio-access network and thus of mobile telecommunication.
The objective of Car2TERA is to develop emerging sub-THz (150-330 GHz) smart electronic systems based on latest semiconductor, microsystem and nanoelectronics technologies, and is aimed to implement TRL-4 demonstrators in two high-potential application scenarios: (1) a new class of compact, high-resolution, electronic-beam-steering short-range car radar sensors, with the primary application being in-cabin passenger monitoring (currently fastest growing car sensor market) for individually and real-time adjusted crash mitigation measures; (2) short-distance, high data-rate THz-over-plastic data links for telecommunication radio-access and backbone networks facilitating the data growth demanded by 5G and IoT. Car2TERA combines, for the first time, the results of recent achievements in semiconductor, micro- and nanoelectronics scientific projects, including the Graphene Flagship, an ERC and several EU collaboration projects, with the following emerging THz technologies: (1) 600-GHz-fmax SiGe monolithic-microwave integrated circuits (MMICs); (2) silicon micromachining for system integration, packaging and phased-array antenna front-end; (3) integrated MEMS reconfigurability; and (4) large-bandwidth, high-linearity graphene MMICs; (5) advanced signal processing including OFDM radar signals and AI sensor fusion. The main work of the first reporting phase of this project was: (1) exchange of technology information between the partners, including design kits, technology capability; (2) discussion of the applications and delivery of specifications to the specific applications; (3) discussion of possible concepts for implementation of prototype solutions.
(1) a new class of car radars, which is in cabin car-radars for monitoring the interior of the car, requiring high resolution on a low range, and having strong cost constrains which require new and innovative solutions such as the micromachined beam-forming technology developed at KTH which results in high performance but only requiring a drastically reduced antenna system size, as well as the frequency beam-sweeping which requires much less hardware complexity as compared to conventional phased-array or even digital beamforming.
(2) Terahertz-over-plastic-fibre: many applications, in particular radio-access-network base-stations, have multiple short-range (<10m) high data rate wired links, as of now implemented by optical-communication links. The optical links are prone to reliability issues (life time), practical handling issues (dust particles), and high cost. Therefore, upconverting the data to millimeter-wave frequencies and sending the signal over plastic-microwave fibre, as pioneered by Car2TERA for the D-band, is an excellence alternative solving this technology problem.
Modern cars have added functionality in terms of autonomous functions and in terms of passenger safety. This requires a large number of new sensors. Car2TERA developed a new type of high-resolution, low-range, in-cabin radar sensor concept and has successfully demonstrated it in DEM1. For DEM2, Car2TERA has successfully demonstrated a D-band PMF link, which contributes significantly to cost reduction of the radio-access network and thus of mobile telecommunication.
The objective of Car2TERA is to develop emerging sub-THz (150-330 GHz) smart electronic systems based on latest semiconductor, microsystem and nanoelectronics technologies, and is aimed to implement TRL-4 demonstrators in two high-potential application scenarios: (1) a new class of compact, high-resolution, electronic-beam-steering short-range car radar sensors, with the primary application being in-cabin passenger monitoring (currently fastest growing car sensor market) for individually and real-time adjusted crash mitigation measures; (2) short-distance, high data-rate THz-over-plastic data links for telecommunication radio-access and backbone networks facilitating the data growth demanded by 5G and IoT. Car2TERA combines, for the first time, the results of recent achievements in semiconductor, micro- and nanoelectronics scientific projects, including the Graphene Flagship, an ERC and several EU collaboration projects, with the following emerging THz technologies: (1) 600-GHz-fmax SiGe monolithic-microwave integrated circuits (MMICs); (2) silicon micromachining for system integration, packaging and phased-array antenna front-end; (3) integrated MEMS reconfigurability; and (4) large-bandwidth, high-linearity graphene MMICs; (5) advanced signal processing including OFDM radar signals and AI sensor fusion. The main work of the first reporting phase of this project was: (1) exchange of technology information between the partners, including design kits, technology capability; (2) discussion of the applications and delivery of specifications to the specific applications; (3) discussion of possible concepts for implementation of prototype solutions.
The work carried out in WP1 comprised a requirement analysis, Specifications, and technology capability analysis. The requirement analysis was done for the primary (car radar) and the secondary demonstrator (terahertz-over-plastic). The technology capability analysis was done for the industrial SiGe processes in the project as well as the THz microsystem platform available to the project. Furthermore, a technological roadmap and economical investigation was carried out. Three deliverables (D1.1-1.3) summarize the efforts. The results were primarily used for internal purpose, and the deliverables are confidential.
The work in WP2 comprised the development of MMICs in industrial-grade SiGe process technology fabricated at Infineon. Both the B11 and the B12 processes were used. Since the B12 fabrication runs were delayed during the project, the main circuits for demonstrator 2 were implemented in B11 technology, and the B12 circuits were successfully characterized but not utilized in the final demonstrator 1. Six deliverables in total. Large number of dissemination events, in particular scientific conferences.
The work in WP3 (fundamental technology development) comprised (1) graphene MMICs, which were successfully demonstrated, (2) micromachined THz system technology, which was successfully developed and successfully demonstrated for demonstrator 1, utilizing a phased-array antenna technology and a MEMS reconfigurable front-end. Six deliverables and primary dissemination via scientific conferences.
The work in WP4 (interfaces and packaging) comprised (1) technology development of the micromachined system integration platform; (2) interfaces of MMICs to waveguides; (3) eWLB industrial package investigation for beyond 200 GHz suitability. The work has resulted in 6 deliverables and primary dissemination via scientific conferences.
The work in WP5 comprised the demonstrator 1 (in-cabin car radar, 238-248 GHz), culminating in a successful demonstration of the micromachined beam-steering and beam-shape switching front-end in a car environment. Four deliverables.
The work in WP6 comprised the demonstrator 2 (terahertz-over-plastic link), resulting in a successful demonstrator in the D-band. Two deliverables.
The work in WP7 comprised automotive system integration, analysis of system implications, advanced signal processing and investigation of sensor fusion. The work resulted in 3 deliverables.
The work in WP8 comprised communication, dissemination, exploitation and standardization, resulting in 5 deliverables. The work in this WP was characterized by an intensive usage of social media, the organization of workshops, and a winter school.
WP9 comprised the project management, which was supported by a scientific lead and an impact lead.
The key highlights of the project were: (1) completed 240 GHz car radar demonstrator, though including some COTS componnts; (2) completed D-bank THz-over-plastic data link with >100 Gbps demonstrated; (3) several industrial workshops incl. IWPC and PMF workshops; (3) PhD student winter school; (4) 25 publications; (5) 4 patents.
The work in WP2 comprised the development of MMICs in industrial-grade SiGe process technology fabricated at Infineon. Both the B11 and the B12 processes were used. Since the B12 fabrication runs were delayed during the project, the main circuits for demonstrator 2 were implemented in B11 technology, and the B12 circuits were successfully characterized but not utilized in the final demonstrator 1. Six deliverables in total. Large number of dissemination events, in particular scientific conferences.
The work in WP3 (fundamental technology development) comprised (1) graphene MMICs, which were successfully demonstrated, (2) micromachined THz system technology, which was successfully developed and successfully demonstrated for demonstrator 1, utilizing a phased-array antenna technology and a MEMS reconfigurable front-end. Six deliverables and primary dissemination via scientific conferences.
The work in WP4 (interfaces and packaging) comprised (1) technology development of the micromachined system integration platform; (2) interfaces of MMICs to waveguides; (3) eWLB industrial package investigation for beyond 200 GHz suitability. The work has resulted in 6 deliverables and primary dissemination via scientific conferences.
The work in WP5 comprised the demonstrator 1 (in-cabin car radar, 238-248 GHz), culminating in a successful demonstration of the micromachined beam-steering and beam-shape switching front-end in a car environment. Four deliverables.
The work in WP6 comprised the demonstrator 2 (terahertz-over-plastic link), resulting in a successful demonstrator in the D-band. Two deliverables.
The work in WP7 comprised automotive system integration, analysis of system implications, advanced signal processing and investigation of sensor fusion. The work resulted in 3 deliverables.
The work in WP8 comprised communication, dissemination, exploitation and standardization, resulting in 5 deliverables. The work in this WP was characterized by an intensive usage of social media, the organization of workshops, and a winter school.
WP9 comprised the project management, which was supported by a scientific lead and an impact lead.
The key highlights of the project were: (1) completed 240 GHz car radar demonstrator, though including some COTS componnts; (2) completed D-bank THz-over-plastic data link with >100 Gbps demonstrated; (3) several industrial workshops incl. IWPC and PMF workshops; (3) PhD student winter school; (4) 25 publications; (5) 4 patents.
The main innovations of Car2TERA were: (1) novel, miniaturized sub-THz beam-forming frontend using micromachined waveguide system technology, with novel functionality such as beam-shape switching; (2) a new plastic-microwave fiber interface for cost-efficient and high performance coupling to industrial-grade SiGe MMICs; and (3) graphene MMIC technology. Furthermore, Car2TERA had a large number of additional innovations from data fusion algorithms in computational-imaging radar signal processing to graphene MMIC back-end-of-line processes.