Feature: RF design


Figure 3: Experimental setup


approach, but, such devices would be very useful as duplex links in D-band development for backhauling applications.


Improvements and applications Simply attaining higher frequencies is not the only consideration when moving new research from the lab to commercial production. An overriding theme in commercialisation is the drive to reduce the size, weight, power and cost of the components; see Figure 4. Minimising the size and weight of


At such high frequencies the constituent parts


are miniscule, which means that even a small alignment error can signifi cantly


degrade performance


mmWave components is especially important in today’s wireless applications. A traditional isolator in the WR10 band is about three inches long, with a cylindrical section in the centre of about 1.3 inches in diameter. While that may seem small, new designs are only 0.75 inches per side and 0.45 inches thick, packaged in a design- friendly rectangular cuboid. These improvements in commercial


components, along with leading researchers in the field, are pushing towards widespread commercial 6G use potentially by the end of this decade, when they will be found in many applications, including remote robotic surgery where a very low latency transmission system is a must. With lower energy consumption of these devices at lower cost thanks to volume production, the possibilities for new medical procedures will be limitless. The technical challenges to imple-


menting 6G systems are enormous. There is a good chance the push to higher frequencies will halt near this point due to the practical limits of physics, health and safety. There is a strong argument to stay


Figure 4: Reducing the size of isolators is crucial for high-frequency communication systems 26 November 2022 www.electronicsworld.co.uk


within the mmWave or lower THz frequencies because these wavelengths keep the radiated power densities within what most people consider safe limits.


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