Subventions et des contributions :

Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier. (2017-2018 à 2020-2021)

In connection with the prospective fifth generation of mobile networks (5G) and the Internet of Things (IoT) deployments, this 5-year Discovery Grant research responds directly to the strategic and global vision to create and develop future, flexible smart wireless devices and systems. It strives to overcome core challenges in developing the next generation of information and communication technologies (ICT), such as intelligent mobility and autonomous operation, by focusing on merging the three fundamental wireless functions into one single transceiver, namely communication, sensing and powering. This holistic integration will create an unprecedented wireless system with aggregated radio-radar functions that can directly and uniquely interplay in order to resolve many long-standing issues in the field. In addition, the embedded wireless powering may allow the creation of a maintenance-free system.

The applicant, his students and research fellows in collaboration with his colleagues and technical support staff are poised to theoretically and experimentally investigate, develop and demonstrate the world’s first wireless transceiver featuring multi-function and hetero-structure over select frequency ranges of megahertz through terahertz. The main research goals are to propose, study and explore highly original wireless transceiver architectures and technologies with the enabling integration platforms of wireless functions and hardware structures. Specifically, this research is concerned with the following concepts and demonstrations: (1) heterogeneous multilayer techniques with focus on hybrid coupling mechanisms and critical front-end circuits; (2) Integrated antenna arrays with Yagi topologies and mode diversities; (3) multiport interferometer architectures with joint radio-radar operations; (4) multiport interferometer techniques with simultaneous radio communication and power harvesting; and (5) multilayer multiport multi-function transceivers with the integrated scheme of data communication, parametric sensing and power harvesting. As opposed to conventional Schottky diodes, backward tunneling diodes are studied for demonstrating extremely low-power multi-port transceivers.

As the first of its kind in the world, this research proposes a game-changing solution for the wireless community; in the long term, its technology can be far-reaching and disruptive in many different industries. There is an urgent need for Canada to sustain its ICT leadership and exploit this emerging field by exploring and developing new technologies, which will not only expand the reach of current systems but also trigger new applications and propel new markets. The successful development of this research project is strategically important for Canadian smart and better living, regulatory policy, technological education, economic growth, and sustainable future.