Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF
Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF

RadioNet - Cutting edge radio astronomical research


Terahertz ceramic circuits for sensors and communication

RadioNet is a consortium of leading institutions in Europe, Republic of Korea and South Africa, integrating at European level world-class infrastructures for research in radio astronomy. In the work package AETHRA (Advanced European Technologies for Heterodyne Receivers for Astronomy), the Fraunhofer IAF is developing novel cryogenic reception systems for the frequency range 72-116 GHz (extended W-band). The objectives are the investigation of ultra-low-noise amplifiers based on the IAF's 35 nm mHEMT technology for cryogenic conditions and the comparison with the already established 50 nm mHEMT technology. In addition, a fully integrated down-converter is being studied and developed to enable compact receiver arrays.  

PROJECT TITLE

RadioNet

 

PROJECT DURATION

2017 − 2020

FUNDING SOURCE

European Union (H2020)

COORDINATOR

Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaft (MPG)
Institute: Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomie (MPIfR)

GOALS

  • Investigation of the 35 nm mHEMT technology for ultra-low-noise amplifiers
  •  Comparison of 35 nm and 50 nm mHEMT technology
  •  Investigate and develop a fully integrated down-converter chip
  •  Study and development of a receiving system for the frequency range 72 116 GHz
  •  investigation and development of a receiver array

 

PUBLICATIONS

F. Thome, A. Leuther, H. Massler, M. Schlechtweg, O. Ambacher „Comparison of a 35-nm and a 50-nm gate-length metamorphic HEMT technology for millimeter-wave low-noise amplifier MMICs“, IEEE Int. Microw. Symposium, 2017.

G. Valente, A. Navarrini, F. Schäfer, P. Serres, F. Thome „Architecture of Highly Integrated Cryogenic Active Planar OrthoMode Transducer for the 3-mm Band“, URSI Atlantic Radio Science Meeting, 2017.

F. Thome, A. Leuther, J. D. Gallego, F. Schäfer, M. Schlechtweg, O. Ambacher „ 70–116-GHz LNAs in 35-nm and 50-nm Gate-Length Metamorphic HEMT Technologies for Cryogenic and Room-Temperature Operation“, IEEE Int. Microw. Symposium, 2018.

A. Navarrini, G. Valente, P. Serres, F. Schäfer, F. Thome, O. Garnier „ Compact Dual-Polarization Cryogenic Receiver Module for the 75-116 GHz Band“, Int. Conference on Electromagnetics in Advanced Applications, 2018.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 730562.