Acquisition of Wide Frequency Band Characterization System for Electronic Devices, Antennas, and Intelligent Materials
Abstract
Overview: The Ingram School of Engineering owns an Anechoic Chamber facility with isolation of 120 dB up to 77 GHz. The chamber is covered with absorbers that provide 30-50 dB reflection loss from 1 GHz to 110 GHz. We propose to acquire a wide frequency band characterization system for electronic devices, antennas, and intelligent materials, which is composed of the state-of-art 67 GHz vector network analyzer from Keysight, 650 MHz - 18 GHz electromagnetic field measurement system from MVG, and Omron automation robotic arm for positioning. This proposal is endorsed by Northrop Grumman. The acquisition of the wideband characterization system will complement the Anechoic Chamber to provide broader usage as well as satisfy the urgency of current DoD and non-DoD research needs. The proposed system will be used with existing RF far field test setup and newly acquired RF complex permittivity and permeability characterization equipment. In addition, the proposed instrument acquisition would greatly enhance the collaborations of various projects through the sharing of the facility and developing cutting-edge cross-disciplinary research, including ongoing and planned DoD work. The proposed system will result in advanced training of research students and have an immediate impact on current and future courses to accelerate our education efforts. Research: The proposed system enables the PI and senior collaborators to perform systematic research on flexible electronics such as field-effect-transistors and RF switches, conformal antennas, ferromagnetic material for antenna miniaturization, high power RF oxide heterostructures, magnetic field assisted additive manufacturing for novel magneto-dielectric devices, electromagnetics and physics of ball lightning, wireless sensor networks using ZigBee and inventory systems using passive Radio Frequency Identification tags, and materials with intelligence for multifunctional infrastructure systems. The current research is supported by AF, SOCOM, ARO through three grants. There are two pending AF and MDA phase II proposals. Other current support includes Northrop Grumman, USDOT, industrial and university funds. Education: The requested system will be used in research training and course instruction at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. This system will provide unprecedented hands-on training opportunities. It will also allow the PI and senior collaborators to develop and implement integrated classroom teaching and research. The lab equipment and active project development can serve as excellent resources for the University and College of Science and EngineeringÕs K-12 outreach programs in forms of lab tours with live system demonstrations. The PI already serves as mentor and committee member in a few key minority STEM programs. The proposed system will serve as a key component to recruit and grow our Hispanic and minority enrollment in STEM disciplines. The retention rate will be increased through the integration of discovery research into education/outreach activities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 02, 2022
- Source ID
- W911NF2210136
Entities
People
- Yihong Chen
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- Texas State University