Award Abstract #0319899
MRI: Microwave Research Instrumentation Acquisition

NSF Org:	ECCS Division of Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems
Initial Amendment Date:	August 18, 2003
Latest Amendment Date:	August 18, 2003
Award Number:	0319899
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Radhakisan S. Baheti ECCS Division of Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems ENG Directorate for Engineering
Start Date:	September 1, 2003
Expires:	August 31, 2004 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$265500
Investigator(s):	Prasad Shastry snp@bradley.edu (Principal Investigator) Brian Huggins (Co-Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	Bradley University 1501 West Bradley Avenue Peoria, IL 61625 309/676-7611
NSF Program(s):	MAJOR RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION
Field Application(s):	0112000 System Theory
Program Reference Code(s):	OTHR, 1189, 0000
Program Element Code(s):	1189

ABSTRACT

The current and future generations of wireless systems require compact, broadband/high-speed Monolithic

Microwave Integrated Circuits and Antennas. Higher speed circuits need large bandwidth that can be realized at

higher frequencies. There are FCC bands for wireless applications up to and beyond 67 GHz. In order to facilitate

research in these bands the following instruments need to be acquired: a) Network Analyzer (67GHz), b) Spectrum

Analyzer (50GHz), c) Signal Generator (40GHz), d) Wafer Probe Station (67GHz), e) Printed Circuit Scriber, and f)

Printed Circuit Through-Hole Plating System. These are the highest performance equipment currently available.

The objectives of the proposed activity are:

1) To enhance the capabilities of the Microwave Engineering laboratory facilities for continued research and design

at high frequencies in the areas of Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMICs), Hybrid-MICs and, printed

Antennas, 2) To expand the scope of collaborative efforts with industry in the design of novel MMICs for current

and future generation communication systems, 3) To increase the extent of training in advanced research, design,

tests and measurements imparted to students, and 4) To strengthen the Universitys position to seek research funding

from industry and government agencies.

Industry-sponsored collaborative research and design activities in the areas of MMICs have been going on at

Bradley University for the past 12 years with Northrop-Grumman Corp. and Fujitsu Compound Semiconductor, Inc.

These projects have involved MMIC designs in which students have been trained in advanced research and design.

The outcome was the development of novel circuits for applications in current and future generation communication

and radar systems. The MMICs were designed at Bradley University, but fabrication, tests and measurements were

conducted at the laboratories of the industry. The MMICs could not be measured at Bradley University because of

the frequency limitation (40 GHz) of the existing Network Analyzer and lack of Wafer Probe Station. This deprived

the students of valuable research experience. Also, active device modeling projects from industry had to be turned

down due to lack of Wafer Probe Station. Therefore, acquisitions of a 67GHz Network Analyzer and a Microwave

Wafer Probe Station will alleviate this deficiency. It will allow the students to do tests and measurements and

expand opportunities to seek more industry-supported research projects. The fabrications of MMICs however will

continue to be done at industry. The Principal Investigator has been exploring potential collaboration with TriQuint

Semiconductor. He will also explore collaborations with the following companies: Hughes, US Monolithics, iTerra

Communications, TRW, TLC Precision Wafer Technology, Motorola, Conexant, and M/A-COM where he has

established connections or his former students are working.

Other research projects included development of novel, Hybrid-MICs, sub-systems, and printed antennas for

wireless Communication systems. In these projects, the existing microwave Anechoic Chamber/Antenna Data

acquisition system, Microwave Source (18 GHz), Spectrum Analyzer (22 GHz) and Network Analyzer (40 GHz)

have been used. The circuits and antennas have been fabricated using the existing printed circuit fabrication

(chemical etching) facility. Again, the extent of research and design activities has been limited due to frequency

limitation of the current Signal Source and Spectrum Analyzer, and lack of precision printed circuit fabrication

facility. For example, a 24 GHz printed array antenna for Automobile Collision Avoidance System project could not

be undertaken. Therefore acquisition of the instrumentation requested above will overcome this limitation, enabling

research and design work at higher frequencies, and enhance the research training of students.

There is a critical shortage of microwave engineers in this country. Bradley University is one of the few select

institutions that offers advanced education and training in this area of specialization. Graduate and senior

undergraduate students are educated and trained through capstone thesis and design projects as well as courses. The

projects are intensive and involve planning, design, fabrications, tests and measurements, documentation and

presentation. The projects have resulted in numerous refereed publications. Industry has been a partner in

microwave education and training by supporting projects and, providing assistantships and internships.

The acquisitions of the requested equipment will have the following impact: a) Enhance the capability to provide

advanced research and design experience in RF and Microwave Engineering, including tests and measurements, b)

Expand the scope of projects and partnerships with industry, c) Strengthen the University's position to seek research

funding from industry and government agencies, d) Help attract and train students in the critical area of RF and

Microwave Engineering, and e) Enrich the Microwave Engineering curriculum and education at Bradley University.

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