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2025 Awardees: General Category
Student
University
Country
Faculty Advisor
Project topic: Development of advanced millimeter-wave circuits for 6G wireless networks and high-resolution radar systems.
Project Description
This research focuses on advancing millimeter-wave circuit design for frequencies above 100 GHz, aimed at developing next-generation 6G wireless networks and high-resolution radar systems. The work involves designing key building blocks such as power amplifiers (PAs), low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), phase shifters, and antenna switches, which are essential for constructing advanced beamformers. By utilizing phased-array technology, this research aims to address severe path loss commonly associated with millimeter-wave frequencies. The high number of elements required to generate sufficient power for overcoming path loss necessitates careful consideration of area and energy efficiency, as well as heat density management. Additionally, the increased number of elements enhances the importance of beam-pointing accuracy due to the narrower beamwidth. This work provides area- and power-efficient designs that mitigate heat density while ensuring excellent phase accuracy for precise beam steering.
The Pennsylvania State University
USA
Prof. Wooram Lee
Project topic: Harmonic-resilient direct-conversion receivers for wireless communication systems.
Project Description
Wireless communication systems benefit from software-defined radios that can seamlessly switch across multiple standards without relying on bulky external filters. A key enabler of such receivers is the hard-switching passive mixer, which allows for on-chip tunable high-Q filtering, known as N-path filtering. However, a major challenge with passive mixers is their susceptibility to blockers located at harmonics of the clock frequency. This work aims to mitigate harmonic blockers at the earliest possible stage in the receiver chain—right at the antenna interface—using a low-loss, fully passive switched-capacitor structure. Building on this framework, techniques will be explored to develop a cost-effective, low-power, and reconfigurable receiver to support Internet of Things (IoT) standards.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
USA
Prof. Negar Reiskarimian
Project topic: Design and development of wideband time modulated frequency selective surface with transmission window for radar countermeasures of communicating devices.
Project Description
This project aims to design a time-modulated frequency selective surface (FSS) with a transmission window for radar countermeasures of communicating devices, specifically for microwave antennas. The transmission window will allow in-band signals to pass through for communication with a ground station while modulating out-of-band signals to generate sidebands. The first sidebands will be made stronger than the fundamental frequency component after reflection, enabling them to spoof Doppler radar’s velocity readings.
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
India
Prof. Kumar Vaibhav Srivastava
Project topic: Millimeter-wave compact and low-loss acoustic filters.
Project Description
We plan to develop compact and low-loss piezoelectric acoustic filters at millimeter-wave (mm-wave) using thin-film transferred lithium niobate (LN, LiNbO3). The proposed miniature filters can be fit within the antenna array, which is too small for incumbent electromagnetic (EM) filters, enabling a higher signal-to-noise ratio in 5G/6G wireless communications. The project will scale commercially successful acoustic filters beyond 6 GHz into mm-wave (>30 GHz), while maintaining the compact size and low loss of acoustic filters, leveraging advanced thin-film fabrication, device design, and filter synthesis techniques. If successful, we will provide a compact way to provide filtering technology beyond mm-wave for miniature RF front ends. The filter technology will significantly enhance the signal-to-noise ratio for handheld devices for future wireless communication bands.
University of Texas at Austin
USA
Prof. Ruochen Lu
Project topic: Enabling energy-efficient and linear front-end transceivers for 6G wireless communication: Design and optimization of advanced circuit techniques.
Project Description
This research addresses critical challenges in CMOS-based circuit design for emerging D-band (110-170 GHz) and FR3 frequency bands, targeting next-generation 6G wireless systems and SATCOM applications. While D-band offers low atmospheric attenuation and high bandwidth, CMOS limitations—such as low intrinsic gain, efficiency losses, and passive network constraints—hinder performance. We propose innovative RX/TX building blocks to overcome these barriers, optimizing power, efficiency, and bandwidth utilization. By bridging D-band solutions with mm-wave challenges and exploring FR3’s untapped spectrum, this work aims to enhance scalable, high-capacity SATCOM arrays, advancing 6G’s potential for low-latency, high-throughput networks.
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zürich
Switzerland
Prof. Hua Wang
Project topic: Research on broadband high-efficiency Doherty RF power amplifiers.
Project Description
This project focuses on advancing power amplifier (PA) architectures and design methodologies to address critical challenges in modern wireless communication systems, including limited bandwidth, low efficiency under high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) signals, and performance degradation under load mismatch conditions. Key innovations include: multi-mode Doherty PA (DPA) for high efficiency dynamic range improving and bandwidth extension; ultra-wideband three-way DPA with a modified output network achieving >100% relative bandwidth; orthogonal DPA for efficiency enhancement and load mismatch resilience; and rapid PA design method supported by simplified transistor models. These ideas are verified on board-level PAs and monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs), including gallium nitride (GaN) and (gallium arsenide) GaAs MMIC implementations.
Chongqing University
China
Prof. Jingzhou Pang
Project topic:Generalizable physics-guided CNN propagation model in tunnels based on frequency conversion.
Project Description
Parabolic equation (PE) methods have been widely utilized for modeling radio wave propagation in tunnels due to their notable efficiency and fidelity. However, as emerging wireless communication systems in railway environments shift to higher-frequency bands, the computational costs associated with PE methods become prohibitively high. To that end, we aim to develop a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based propagation model that provides predictions of radio wave propagation at high frequencies by leveraging data obtained by the PE method at a lower frequency. The proposed model seeks to significantly enhance the efficiency of wave propagation modeling in tunnels. By explicitly incorporating prior knowledge from PE simulations and carefully designing the input, output, and structure of the CNN, the model is expected to be more generalizable and robust compared to existing data-oriented machine learning models. Numerical results will be compared with predictions from conventional PE methods for various tunnel geometries, and the proposed model will also be validated against experimental measurements in realistic tunnel scenarios.
University of Alberta
Canada
Prof. Xingqi Zhang
Project topic: Highly linear and highly compact broadband load-modulated balanced amplifier for next generation wireless communications.
Project Description
load-modulated balanced amplifier (LMBA) is a novel high-efficient radio frequency (RF) power amplifier (PA), which injects the control signal into a balanced amplifier (BA) through the isolated port of a coupler. This approach uses a control amplifier (CA) to modulate the output impedance of the BA, enabling significant improvements in both efficiency and bandwidth. However, current LMBA architectures face serious challenges, particularly in terms of linearity, efficiency and circuit size. To address these challenges, this project aims to develop an ultra-linear and power-efficient LMBA architecture optimized for next-generation wireless communication systems. The first objective will be to design a compact and broadband coupler suitable for MMIC implementation. By combining the on-chip coupler with the linearized mathematical model, a fully linearized broadband LMBA will be realized, eliminating class-C nonlinearity through a novel control mechanism. Ultimately, this research will propose a new LMBA architecture capable of meeting the demands of future wireless systems across various application scenarios, delivering significant advancements in both linearity and efficiency.
University College Dublin
Ireland
Prof. Anding Zhu
Project topic: A dual-beam independently controllable SATCOM phased array receiver system with wide axial ratio bandwidth and beam-width.
Project Description
The large-scale deployment of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites opens significant commercial opportunities for developing low-cost satellite communication (SATCOM) user terminals. To meet the growing demand for dynamic tracking of fast-moving LEO targets, we plan to develop a dual-beam, independently controlled K-band SATCOM phased array receiver. This system integrates a dual-beam receiver architecture, a redesigned dual circular polarization (CP) antenna, a passive power combiner network, and a dual-beam digital control system. It achieves over 60° wide-angle scanning, low sidelobes, high cross-polarization discrimination (XPD) levels across arbitrary polarizations and scan angles, and an excellent G/T ratio. It supports independent dual-beam operation at arbitrary frequencies and polarizations, providing a wide 3-dB axial ratio (AR) bandwidth and a 60° wide-angle AR beamwidth across the spectrum. This receiver represents the largest single-board integration, enabling high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and long-term stable communication links with high data rates, marking a leaping advancement for commercial SATCOM systems.
South China University of Technology
China
Prof. Quan Xue
Project topic: Multi-function virtual transceiver matrix with adaptive front-end for future wireless communication and sensing systems.
Project Description
Wireless communication and sensing systems have experienced and witnessed tremendous innovation and transformation in recent decades. Indeed, the fusion and interplay of multi-functionalities are the foundation for future wireless intelligence. However, for emerging multifunction systems operating at millimeter-wave (mmW) and terahertz (THz) frequencies such as 6G and beyond, disruptive, and innovative solutions are required to redefine the architectures of existing mmW and THz systems. The proposed topological transceiver architecture, named virtual transceiver matrix (VTM), is suitable for future smart multifunction wireless systems. This concept is devised and benefits from using combinatory analog operations with multiple distributed units in a transceiver matrix or array. This mechanism of receiving and transmitting data through spatially “floating” distributed virtual transceiver channels offers an unprecedented solution of providing unparalleled degrees of freedom to implement multiple functions such as data reception, angle-of-arrival (AoA) detection, radar, and imaging operations among many others in a single transceiver architecture. Interestingly, the total number of possible virtual transceivers from different combinations of unit cells in a matrix is also significantly increased compared with a conventional “fixed” transceiver array. 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. Also, it is anticipated that the VTM concept is applicable to the 5G, 6G and future wireless systems for enhancing their functionality, capacity, agility, and speed.
Polytechnique Montréal, University of Montréal
Canada
Prof. Ke Wu
Project topic: 4D millimeter wave MIMO radar system design and its applications in home environments.
Project Description
Millimeter-wave radar technology, with its non-contact, high-precision, and privacy-preserving capabilities, has gained significant traction across diverse domains. This research focuses on developing a 4D millimeter-wave MIMO radar system that enables the tracking of 3D spatial position and 1D temporal data, allowing for long-range monitoring of human posture, gestures, and vital signs, such as respiration and heart rate. The hardware design includes system architecture, MIMO radar timing and waveform design, and antenna array configuration for optimal performance. On the algorithmic side, high-resolution range and angle estimation techniques, along with specialized algorithms for posture recognition and continuous health monitoring, will be developed. The project aims to advance radar-based sensing for applications in smart health monitoring systems, including the early diagnosis of chronic cardiopulmonary diseases.
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
China
Prof. Changzhan Gu
Project topic: Power amplifiers trends and design challenges for the upcoming future.
Project Description
The proliferation of new technologies in the Internet of Everything (IoE) scenario will require new advancements in 5G networks and researches for the sixth generation (6G) of wireless communication at millimeter-wave frequencies. In this context, the power amplifier (PA) has a fundamental role in the transmission of the signal, being the most power-hungry unit of the Radio Frequency Front-End (RFFE). It must provide sufficient output power while handling signals with complex modulation schemes ensuring both energy saving and reliable communications. The Doherty Power Amplifier (DPA) has been proved to be one of the best PA architectures in managing modulated signals. This research work will focus on the development of innovative design strategies for self-consistent integrated DPAs, capable of maximizing the achievable performance, both in terms of output power and efficiency, while maintaining good linearity. To achieve this, waveform engineering strategies, AM-PM and AM-AM compensation techniques, and wideband matching methods will be explored.
University of Rome Tor Vergata
Italy
Prof. Rocco Giofrè
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2019 AWARDEES: GENERAL CATEGORY
Student
Faculty Advisor
Institution Mr. Alberto Maria Angelotti Prof. Alberto Santarelli University of Bologna, Italy Mr. Spyridon Nektarios Daskalakis Prof. Apostolos Georgiadis Heriot-Watt University, UK Mr. Daniel Gaydos Prof. Payam Nayeri Colorado School of Mines, USA Mr. Xiaoqiang Gu Prof. Ke Wu École Polytechnique de Montréal, Canada Mr. Milad Zolfagharloo Koohi Prof. Amir Mortazawi University of Michigan, USA Mr. Mahdi Javid Prof. Jennifer Kitchen Arizona State University, USA Mr. Sensen Li Prof. Hua Wang Georgia Institute of Technology, USA Ms. Arya Menon Prof. Thomas Weller Oregon State University, USA Mr. Aravind Nagulu Prof. Harish Krishnaswamy Columbia University in the City of New York, USA Mr. Jingzhi Zhang Prof. Kai Kang University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, China - 2019 AWARDEES: MEDICAL APPLICATIONS
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