Architectures for Large-Scale Phased Arrays Beyond 100GHz

Abstract:

Beamforming has emerged as a critical technology for 5G, SATCOM and 6G applications. In commercial 5G millimeter-wave frequencies (24, 28 and 29GHz) large-scale arrays of nearly 1000 elements are utilized on the infrastructure side to ensure robust links across reasonable cell sizes. SATCOM terminals exploit even larger arrays to achieve the required EIRP and G/T for multi-orbit operation across LEO MEO and GEO orbits. Managing these large-scale array implementations while keeping power consumption and cost in check requires co-optimization across system design array design and beam former design.

As we look towards the emerging bands of >100GHz in 6G, while beamforming will be a critical technology to these links, the choice of array architecture remains open. In this presentation, we will discuss research at Columbia University towards scalable 140GHz arrays in 45nm RF SOI technology with 512-elements and record EIRPs of >60dBm (1000x superior to the state of the art). We will also describe new architectures towards arrays at these frequencies based on reconfigurable surfaces, with an eye towards new functionalities such as multi-beam and MIMO capabilities.

Speaker’s Details:

Harish Krishnaswamy
Professor, Columbia University

Harish Krishnaswamy is currently a Professor in Electrical Engineering at Columbia University. In 2017, he co-founded MixComm Inc., Chatham, NJ, USA, a venture-backed start-up, to commercialize CoSMIC Laboratory’s advanced wireless research. MixComm was acquired in February 2022 by Sivers Semiconductors for $155M, where he is currently Managing Director of the Wireless BU.

His research interests include integrated devices, circuits, and systems for a variety of RF, millimeter-wave (mmWave), and sub-mmWave applications.

Prof. Krishnaswamy was a recipient of the IEEE ISSCC Lewis Winner Award for Outstanding Paper in 2007, the Best Thesis in Experimental Research Award from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering in 2009, DARPA Young Faculty Award in 2011, the 2014 IBM Faculty Award, the Best Demo Award at the 2017 IEEE ISSCC, the best student paper awards at the 2015, 2018, and 2020 IEEE RFIC Symposium and the 2020 IEEE IMS, the best Industry Paper Award at the 2026 IEEE IMS RFSA, the 2021 IEEE MTT-S Microwave Magazine Best Paper Award, and the 2019 IEEE MTT-S Outstanding Young Engineer Award. He has been a member of the TPC of several conferences, including the IEEE ISSCC and the IEEE RFIC Symposium. He has also served as a Distinguished Lecturer for the IEEE SSCS and as a member for the DARPA Microelectronics Exploratory Council.