Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

The world-class Centre for Intelligent Antenna and Radio Systems (CIARS) is organized in 6 labs, which provide an integrated environment for supporting far-reaching research in radio science and technologies. Current major research foci are next generation space and terrestrial telecommunication systems, and millimeter-wave (mmW)/Terahert (THz) sensing for a wide range of scientific, security, and bio-medical applications. Network analyzer is the most essential type of measuring instrument, being used in almost every radio system test by any radio technology group around the world these days. Two CIARS network analyzer systems (PNA-X made by Keysight Technologies), one for circuit measurement and the other one for antenna test are intensively used by many researchers and graduate students. These network analyzers are about 10 years old. Both lack the accuracy, stability, and the large dynamic range critically needed in our current research programs, exploring new radio and antenna technologies for next generation telecommunication and sensing. The objective of this NSERC RTI proposal is to comprehensively upgrade these two PNA-X's. Such measurement systems, with unmatched accuracy, sensitivity, and wide range of input, at higher mmW and THz ranges, do not currently exist on campus or in the region. This has caused a significant hurdle in our current research projects in the areas of mobile satellite communication, 5G, UAV-based system, automotive radar, and bio-medical sensor. Lack of access to this capability not only slows our academic research programs, but also negatively impacts large-scale collaborative projects with several leading industries. These companies (and many others) often come to CIARS to perform their mmW measurements, and rely on infrastructure support from CIARS. All current research programs (on campus and at local industries) in the area of RF/Microwave and mmW (9 faculty, three research centers, 8 research laboratories, 90+ researchers and graduate students) will benefit from the requested upgrades. Significant RF/microwave and millimeter-wave/THz measurement capability created by the proposed RTI will provide vital support to Canadian telecommunication and sensing industries advanced research and development plans aiming at critical next generation technologies. These include 5G/6G radio networks, high throughput satellite communications, sensors for autonomous cars, biomedical sensing, and security imaging, which will create more than 5 millions jobs only in North America by 2034. There is an increasing shortage of expertise and HQP in the area of mmW/THz radio technology and particularly highly critical area of state-of-the-art measurement techniques and methodologies to support these fast growing markets with ample opportunities for innovative product development. The HQP trained on our upgraded CIARS setups will acquire the knowledge and hands-on experience these markets need right now and in the future.