Energy Efficient, Beamforming Antenna-IC Integration Solutions for Future 100+GHz Telecommunication Systems

Purpose and goal:

The goal of this project was to develop Co-Integrated Antenna-IC Spatial Power Combining, Signal Modulating and Beamforming solutions for 100+GHz frequency bands. The focus is on array antenna systems with advanced beamforming capabilities (e.g. 6G backhauling systems, Distributed Massive MIMO applications)

Expected results and effects:

Envisioning market entry in 3-4-years, our technologies promise transformative impacts. Gotmic anticipates a revenue surge to 50-100 MSEK within 5-years, propelled by novel power amplifier solutions. In 2023, Gotmic has already seen increased sales.

Ericsson plans to integrate sway compensation antennas, such as investigated in our project, into their portfolio by the end of 2023. This technology is poised to revolutionize the deployment of multi-Gbps wireless point-to-point links, offering extended reach and heightened reliability compared to current capabilities.

Approach and implementation:

The project had 4 technical work packages. Gotmic coordinated WP2, focusing on the novel PA in collaboration with Chalmers. WP3.1 on FPA (WP3.1) and WP3.2 on FPA spatial beamformer were coordinated by Chalmers.

WP4+WP5 conducted system-level analysis by Chalmers and Ericsson. Despite plan adherence in most activities, WP2 and WP3.2 faced delays, prompting a project extension due to challenges in PA building and testing and higher-than-expected challenges in the proposed innovative beamformer. WP3.1 and WP4 exceeded expectations, developing two alternative FPAs and a reflector.