Industrial PhD position in Integration of Antenna systems at 100GHz

Fruitful collaboration among university and industrial partners in different segments of the telecom value chain will foster novel technological solutions in the following research disciplines: RF hardware-DSP algorithm co-design for optimized system performance, efficient waveform strategy, GaAs/GaN based high power front-end electronics, low-cost and high efficiency antenna array module and out-of-band spurious suppression filter design. Thus, highly innovative and industry driven research will allow the working PhD students develop a comprehensive set of theoretical and practical skills relevant for innovation and long-term employability in the rapidly growing sector of wireless communication.

Information about the project
The EUREKA CELTIC NEXT project `ENTRY100GHz' on Energy-Efficient Radio Systems at 100 GHz and beyond:
offers 5 fully funded PhD positions at Chalmers in the area of millimetre-wave beam scanning antennas, high power integrated circuits and signal processing, starting in the Spring of 2021. Out of these positions, three candidates will be directly employed at Chalmers and two will be employed as industrial PhD. The ENTRY100GHz consortium consists of Chalmers University and R&D Division of several Telecom Companies in Sweden.

The aim of the current project is to develop a highly efficient integrated antenna module and RF front-end solution with adaptive waveform generation in spatial, temporal, and frequency domains for beyond 5G (B5G) and 6G wireless communication infrastructure at 100GHz band and support application sectors such as security & sensing, imaging, industrial IOT, automation etc. The proposed solution will be able to adapt dynamically to different user scenarios such as ultra-high data-rate multi-user broadband communication, reliable high mobility connectivity, ultra-low latency machine communications etc.

The Gapwaves AB has the expertise in planar mmwave beam scanning antenna array design, integration of RF electronics as well has high power GaN front-end circuits within antenna systems. Gapwaves has also successfully developed customized lowcost plastic moulding techniques for gap waveguide antenna high volume production at and above 70GHz. In this project, Gapwaves will strategically contribute with its knowledge in high volume, low-cost waveguide antenna production methods. This will have a high impact to the overall 100GHz remote radio head (RRH) design as the trade-off between cost and electrical performance is strongly needed for future product launches.

The Industrial PhD student will be employed by Industrial Partner Gapwaves but will follow the PhD educational program at the Department of Electrical Engineering. The student has the same obligation and opportunities as a University employed PhD student but also the industrial support and influence. He will be given the full access to world-class millimeter wave labs at Chalmers. Supervision team will include both industry experts and supervisors at Chalmers.

Major responsibilities
A conventional waveguide based high gain planar antennas face the challenge of direct RF electronics integration as these antennas are normally fabricated by diffusion bonding. The gap waveguide-based slot array solutions do not suffer from these challenges as metal contact among a multi-layer gap waveguide structure can be ignored. Thus, the work carried out will use the gap waveguide technology as the fundamental baseline for the research in developing a high frequency integration platform for a telecom subsystem.

The research will include the opportunity to integrate critical system functionalities such as filter, up conversion and down conversion using integrated Tx/Rx electronics. The PhD student will take advantage of this multi-layer building practice and will develop an integration platform for the beam scanning array demonstrator sub-array including TX/RX front-end, filter and CMOS based DSP circuits with all the routing and DC bias lines. Also, the performance of the integrated demonstrator will be validated by performing system level analysis

The general responsibilities as PhD student is to pursue own doctoral studies. Also to develop own scientific concepts and communicate the results of the research verbally and in writing.

Qualifications
Applicants should have, or expect to receive, a Master of Science degree or equivalent in a relevant electrical engineering or applied physics discipline. In addition to the formal qualifications, selection is also based on the performance of the candidates in other works (e.g. thesis and advanced level courses), as well as through interviews and assignments. Besides good subject knowledge, emphasis will be on creative thinking, motivation, ability to cooperate, initiative to work independently and personal suitability for research training. Previous experience in the area of Electromagnetic fields and Antenna theory as well as proficiency in using Fullwave solvers such as HFSS and CST is considered to be an advantage

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
For more information and to apply, visit this webpage

Application deadline: 7 March, 2021

For questions, please contact:
Marcus Hasselblad, Gapwaves AB, marcus.hasselblad@gapwaves.com
Associate Professor Ashraf Uz Zaman, zaman@chalmers.se
Professor Jian Yang, jian.yang@chalmers.se