Millimeter Wave Massive MIMO Gap Waveguide Antenna Module Design Based on Pick and Place Technique

Purpose and goal

The way the traditional RF waveguide components and antennas are manufactured today, does not allow the cost effective surface mount assembly technique for low cost production. The production cost for most of the millimeter wave RF modules cannot be lowered below a certain range due to this hurdle. The main objective of this project is to overcome this hurdle by developing gap waveguide based antenna solutions that makes it possible to assembly millimeter wave waveguide components and antenna components by typical surface mount technology (SMT) placement machines.

Expected results and effects

Gap waveguides is a new RF technology platform enabling RF system solutions to meet market demands. Our goal fits in with the VINNOVA identified strategic sector because we envision to design, integrate and manufacture all the separate components in a millimeter wave Massive MIMO RF module as a single gap waveguide wireless module. This will result in reduced complexity in design, testing and manufacturing of the end-product with associated product cost savings for future wireless solution providers.

Planned approach and implementation

This project includes both fundamental research and practical wireless application directions for future high frequency RF modules or wireless systems. The planned outcomes for this project are the much needed innovative millimeter wave antenna design methods, new multi-layer RF system architecture for integrating compact low-loss filters and RF electronics.