Silicon-based Ka-band massive MIMO antenna systems for new telecommunication services

SILIKA (Silicon-based Ka-band massive MIMO antenna systems for new telecommunication services) is a large European ITN project coordinated by the EM group. The project started in 2017. The continuously growing need for higher data-rates and therefore, more signal bandwidth in wireless communications, requires the use of multi-antenna base stations employing the recently introduced massive Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) concept and operating at millimeter-wave frequencies, e.g. 30 GHz. However, the implementation of such complex antenna systems into highly-integrated, energy- and cost-effective solutions is very challenging. Therefore, we propose an innovative antenna system concept utilizing silicon semiconductor electronics that can generate or receive at millimeter-wave frequencies in order to truly expand wireless communications into the outer limits of radio technology. SILIKA establishes a training network with leading R&D labs from European industries, universities and technology institutes in the domain of wireless infrastructure.

This will be achieved by a multi-disciplinary approach combining expertise in all required areas to create a breakthrough towards millimeter-wave multi-antenna systems for energy-efficient and low-cost base stations for 5G wireless infrastructure. The main purpose of the project is to train 12 young researchers to become experts in key technologies for future mobile telecommunication systems. Throughout the training program, these PhD students will work on an individual research topic that is of high relevance for the successful development of the next generation mobile telecommunication system (5G). Each student will spend at least 18 months at an industrial partner. In this way, the outcome of the research will directly benefit the European industry while the young researchers gain experience in an industrial work environment. The contributions from each research topic will be combined in a 5G base-station demonstrator, which will be assembled and tested by the end of the project.