Descripción del proyecto
Los interruptores MEMS de radiofrecuencia compactos suministran una elevada potencia
Los sistemas microelectromecánicos de altas prestaciones (MEMS) y los circuitos integrados monolíticos de microondas (MMIC) son componentes clave que permiten realizar diseños en miniatura de circuitos de radiofrecuencia. Los dispositivos de altas prestaciones minúsculos son muy valiosos en el mercado de módulos «front-end» de radiofrecuencia. Por ejemplo, los interruptores MEMS son más pequeños y ligeros que cualquier otra tecnología de interruptores, presentan una pérdida de inserción muy reducida y pueden soportar unos niveles de potencia considerables, por lo que son ideales para radares comerciales, comunicaciones por satélite o comunicaciones de retorno. El proyecto SMARTEC, financiado con fondos europeos, desarrollará interruptores MEMS de radiofrecuencia basados en MMIC de nitruro de galio. La tecnología es ideal para el diseño de interruptores de alta potencia y ofrece diversas ventajas en comparación con las alternativas disponibles. Los procesos de fabricación simplificados reducirán los gastos en un 25 %, lo cual sin duda facilitará la fabricación en serie de la tecnología.
Objetivo
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.
Ámbito científico
- 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
Palabras clave
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
IA - Innovation actionCoordinador
92190 MEUDON
Francia