Position:  PhD Candidate

Current Institution:  University of Michigan

Abstract:  Novel Architectures for Low-Complexity Scalable Phased Arrays Abstra

Inspired by the unique advantages of phased arrays in communication and radar systems such as increasing the channel capacity signal-to-noise ratio directivity and radar resolution, my research has focused on presenting new architectures for low-complexity scalable phased arrays to facilitate their widespread use in communication and radar systems. In phased arrays, phase shifters are the key components responsible for adjusting the signal phase across the array elements. In general, phase shifters and their control circuitry play a significant role in determining the complexity and size of conventional phased arrays. Novel architectures and design techniques for scalable phased arrays with significantly reduced number of phase shifters control complexity and circuit size have been devised and will be presented. Design approach and performance of a limited-scan Ku-band and a wide-scan K-band scalable phased array where the number of phase shifters are reduced by at least a factor of two will be presented. The integrated phased arrays designed based on the proposed architectures have a potential to be utilized in commercial applications such as 5G communications and automotive radars for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicles. I will also present new circuit topologies for integrated phase shifters operating at K and Ka bands with low power consumption, compact size, and simple control mechanism designed for reducing the complexity size and power consumption of phased arrays. Future work building upon the proposed low-complexity scalable phased arrays will also be presented.

Bio:
Fatemeh Akbar is a PhD candidate in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department at the University of Michigan. She received bachelor’s and master’s degrees (with highest honors) in electrical engineering from Shahid Beheshti University in 2010 and Sharif University of Technology in 2012. The focus of her current research is on RF/mm-wave integrated phased arrays. Her research interests include analog mixed-signal RF microwave and mm-wave integrated circuits and systems for applications in wireless transceivers, radars, sensors, imaging biomedical devices, and photonics. She was a recipient of the Engineering Graduate Symposium Technical Award of the College of Engineering University of Michigan in 2014, 2016, and 2017. She is a full member of SigmaXi, IEEE Solid-State Circuits, IEEE Circuits and Systems, and IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques societies.