IEEE 2-Lecture Event – (1) Sustainable Semiconductors and Wireless RF (Eco)Systems, (2) Design and Development of Flat Panel Phased Array Antennas

About this event

Lecture #1 by Prof. Wagih: The electronics industry produces non-negligible emissions and e-waste, and is a major consumer of critical raw materials (CRMs),which could hinder its growth to deliver our digital aspirations. I will introduce a life cycle assessment (LCA)-driven approach to electronics design, showing how to quantify the true environmental footprint as well as methods to design electronics for environmental sustainability and supply chain resilience. Looking at the impact of semiconductor devices and specifically RFICs, methods for circularity through recycling and re-use will be introduced, identifying trade-offs in reliability, performance, and ease of recycling. Fully biodegradable RF package assemblies with high-performance transmission beyond 170 GHz will be showcased, along with their ability to enable a circular economy for RFICs, without the use of traditional bonding approaches. Finally, emerging applications in RF-based sensing will be introduced, showing how microwave electronics could reduce the complexity of sensing interfaces.

Lecture #2 by Prof. Sharma: There is a great demand for high data throughput, innovative beam steering antenna solutions for wireless and satellite communication applications. Over the last decade, beam steering antennas have advanced significantly, driven largely by mature silicon beamforming chipsets, multilayer printed circuit boards, and 3D printing technologies. This talk focuses on emerging flat panel phased array antennas used in wireless and satellite communications. The presentation will delve into electronic beam steering through beamforming networks and commercially available beamforming integrated circuit (BFIC) chips. The presentation will showcase examples of X-/Ku-/Ka-band flat panel phased array antennas featuring dual linear, dual circular, and polarization-reconfigurable designs. These discussions will explore the challenges and roles of silicon BFICs, multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication, RF component assembly, beamforming algorithms, and 3D dielectric and metal printing in antenna array design. The talk will emphasize the importance of data throughput testing of Ka-band flat panel phased array antennas in a laboratory environment and over-the-air (OTA) testing across a 1 km link between two San Diego State University buildings. It will also cover data throughput testing of a dual circular polarized Ka-band flat panel phased array on a payload over a 100,000 ft Aerostar balloon. The speaker will conclude with insights on the future evolution of beam steering technology.

Schedule:

4-4.30 Networking

4.30-5.30 – Prof. Wagih's lecture and Q&A

5.30-6.30 – Prof. Sharma's lecture and Q&A

Speaker(s): Prof. Mahmoud Wagih, Prof. Satish Sharma

Agenda:

Schedule:

4-4.30 Networking

4.30-5.30 – Prof. Wagih's lecture and Q&A

5.30-6.30 – Prof. Sharma's lecture and Q&A

Bldg: Qualcomm Building Q Auditorium, 6455 Lusk Blvd, San Diego, California, United States, 92121