"PhD on Alternative Active Antenna Concepts"

The PhD position is part of the prestigious POLARIS (Pathway towards Opportunities for Large scale Applications of Radically Integrated Systems) project. Polaris is a large flagship program (funded by the Nationale Groei Fonds) in the Netherlands in which new technologies and concepts are developing the next generation radars (www.polaris-ngf.nl).

By uniting industry leaders, researchers, and innovators, Polaris will turn cutting-edge ideas into real-world impact, strengthening the Netherlands as a global high-tech leader. Within the Polaris program, TU/e is focusing its research activities on the development of new antenna and integrated circuit concepts for radar and electromagnetic modelling. The Electromagnetics (EM) and Integrated Circuit (IC) groups are involved as well as the Center for Wireless Technology Eindhoven (CWTe). All PhD projects within Polaris are strongly connected to the industrial partners.

Information: The current state-of-the-art in professional radar systems is the use of active array antennas, where wide-angle beam steering of a narrow high-gain beam is realized by using a large number of active elements (e.g., 1000-5000 active channels). This provides very good performance but is also power consuming, very expensive, and complex.

In this PhD project, we want to investigate alternative realizations that provide high performance at much lower cost and complexity, but with limited functionality. The idea is that only a limited number of active array elements are required, and that the overall antenna gain is realized by means of a low-cost construction, e.g., metal reflector, lens, or reflect array. Fig. 1 shows the basic idea of a focal-plane array (FPA) where a reflector antenna is fed by a phased array feed.

Based on recent work done at TU Eindhoven (in collaboration with NXP and ASTRON) on active focal-plane arrays that provide a (relative) wide scan range, we want to explore hybrid antenna concepts for radar. TU/e has developed the dedicated mathematical models and corresponding design flow for such hybrid configurations in the past decade. Based on these models, we have developed a prototype focal-plane array that was optimized to provide wide-angle scanning up to +/- 20 degrees achieving an aperture efficiency larger than 80%. Fig. 2 shows the realized prototype operating in the 20-30 GHz band.

A high-level planning of the project includes the following phases divided over a period of 48 months:

• Exploration of state-of-the-art (M1-M6) of hybrid antenna systems that combine an active array feed with some form of (quasi-) mechanical structure. This will result in a review paper that compares all reported concepts based on a pre-defined Figure of Merit (FOM).
• Definition of requirements and choice of concept (M4-M9). In close collaboration with the Polaris partners, a promising hybrid concept will be chosen (or two concepts). In addition, a list of requirements including the choice for a particular frequency band will be defined for the design and realization phase.
• Initial design and modelling (M10-M22). The chosen concept(s) will be further explored in view of the set of requirements. The available (Matlab) models at TU/e will be used for performing an extensive parameter sweep. The models will be further adapted and optimized based on the chosen concept.
• Detailed design (M23-M30). The initially optimized conceptual design will be further detailed and optimized using available advanced simulation tools (CST, GRASP) to realize the design for a prototype that will demonstrate the performance of our chosen concept. We will compare performance, cost, and functionality using an active array antenna system as a reference.
• Realization and measurement (M29-M36). Two prototypes will be realized and experimentally validated. Proto 1 will only include passive antenna components. This allows for accurate and fast validation of the antenna performance. Proto 2 will include an active array antenna that is used to feed the total system. This will allow us to determine time-dynamic properties including beamsteering and on-line calibration.
• Analysis and redesign (M35-M42). The experimental data from the measurement campaign will be analyzed in detail, including finding improvements for identified limitations of the prototypes. Based on this, an improved concept and associated design will be created that could be the starting point to create a business case for the Polaris partners.
• Documentation (M43-M48). The final thesis will be written and associated reports that are required for the Polaris partners for future work.

Requirements: A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in a relevant electrical engineering or applied physics discipline. A research-oriented attitude. Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in collaborating with industrial partners. Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students. Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level). In addition to the formal qualifications, selection is also based on the performance of the candidates in other works (e.g., thesis and advanced level courses), as well as through interviews and assignments. Previous experience in the area of radio propagation, antennas, electronics, and signal processing as well as proficiency in using scientific and engineering software packages such as MATLAB, CST, ADS etc. are advantageous.

Conditions of employment: Fixed-term contract: 4 years. A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you: Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment. Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,059 - max. € 3,881). A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%. High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process. An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities. An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs. A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.