Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

Military radar, satellite and wireless communication applications for high performance (wide bandwidth; high frequency, linearity and efficiency) radio systems are expanding (e.g., 5G networks for Gbps mobile access). The design of these radio systems generally requires a very complex design process; a process that tends to be iterative and costly (a process of testing, redesign and retesting to achieve the desired performance). This complexity is attributed to the inherent non-idealities of the transistors and the sophisticated circuit topologies and system architectures needed to meet the stringent performance demands. Under these circumstances, the transistors are required to operate in nonlinear and large-signal modes to perform desired functions efficiently. Current state-of-the-art device models are not always accurate across a wide range of operating conditions (e.g., realistic modulated signals, power levels, termination loads). Novel device models, which will require advanced characterization systems, are crucial when attempting to meet current design demands from the circuit and system point of view. The characterization system also enables the refinement of the device fabrication process, leading to improved transistors for specific applications. The requested infrastructure (probe station and pulsed DC characterization system) will complement the existing equipment in order to build a high power large signal network characterization system. This system will enable researchers to create accurate compact and behavioural transistor models. Bringing these models into a computer aided design simulation environment will enable the development of advanced circuit topologies and system architectures in a systematic manner, thus reducing the time-to-market required to develop new products and proof-of-concept prototypes and therefore cost. Other organizations such as our partner, the National Research Council of Canada, will benefit from the findings generated with the requested infrastructure by incorporating the new models into their product design kits, thus enhancing device technology available to their industrial and academic users across Canada.