MRES.B.02.05 – Advanced topics in Antennas and 5G Communications

 

This course aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of advanced antenna design techniques for 5G/6G telecommunication systems. The course will cover topics such as antenna arrays, MIMO systems, millimeter-wave antennas, beamforming, and mmWave propagation models. The course will also include practical design projects that will allow students to apply the concepts learned in class.

Course Outline:

  1. Introduction to 5G/6G Telecommunication Systems
  • Overview of 5G/6G technology
  • Antenna requirements for 5G/6G systems
  • Challenges in antenna design for 5G/6G systems
  1. Antenna Fundamentals
  • Introduction to antennas
  • Antenna parameters
  • Antenna types and characteristics
  • Antenna radiation pattern and polarization
  1. Antenna Arrays
  • Array geometries and configurations
  • Linear and planar arrays
  • Beamforming techniques
  • Adaptive beamforming
  1. MIMO Systems
  • Introduction to MIMO systems
  • MIMO antenna design
  • Diversity techniques
  • Spatial multiplexing
  1. Millimeter-Wave Antennas
  • Introduction to millimeter-wave technology
  • Millimeter-wave antenna design
  • Substrate-integrated waveguide antennas
  • Dielectric resonator antennas
  1. Propagation Models for mmWave Systems
  • Introduction to mmWave propagation
  • Propagation models for mmWave systems
  • Path loss models
  • Channel models
  1. Practical Design Projects (mini group project)
  • Design and simulation of antenna arrays for 5G/6G systems
  • Design and simulation of millimeter-wave antennas
  • Beamforming simulation and analysis
  • Performance evaluation of MIMO systems

For the mini group project, students will work in groups of 3-4 to design and analyze an advanced antenna system for a 5G/6G telecommunication application. Each group will be assigned a specific problem statement related to antenna design and will be expected to use simulation tools and techniques to propose a solution that meets the specified performance requirements.

The project will consist of the following key components:

  • Problem statement: Each group will be assigned a specific problem statement related to antenna design for 5G/6G systems.
  • Antenna design: Students will use simulation tools and techniques to design and optimize an advanced antenna system that meets the specified performance requirements.
  • Analysis: Students will analyze the performance of their antenna system and evaluate its impact on overall network performance.
  • Report: Each group will be required to submit a report detailing their design methodology, analysis results, and conclusions.
  • Presentation: Each group will give a short presentation to the class summarizing their project and highlighting key findings.

Through this project, students will have the opportunity to apply the theoretical concepts they have learned in class to a real-world antenna design problem. They will also develop critical thinking skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a group setting.

Upon successful completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:

  • Understand the basic principles of antenna design for 5G/6G telecommunication systems, including the key parameters that influence antenna performance.
  • Become familiar with various types of antennas used in 5G/6G systems, such as patch antennas, microstrip antennas, and array antennas.
  • Gain an understanding of advanced antenna design concepts, such as MIMO antennas, beamforming, and millimeter-wave antennas.
  • Learn to use basic simulation tools to analyze antenna performance, such as CST and ADS.
  • Understand the importance of antenna design in 5G/6G systems and the impact it has on overall network performance.
  • Develop critical thinking skills to solve practical antenna design problems for 5G/6G systems.
  • Communicate technical concepts related to antenna design for 5G/6G systems to technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Understand the ethical implications of antenna design for 5G/6G systems, such as privacy, security, and environmental concerns.
  • Develop an appreciation for ongoing developments in 5G/6G systems and the role of antenna design in shaping the future of telecommunications.
  • Explore potential career paths in the field of antenna design and 5G/6G telecommunications.
  • A course on Antennas Design
  • A course on Microwave Communications
  • A course on RF Design

Student evaluation comes from:

  • Average Grade of Homework Assignments (best 3 out of the total of 4 grades obtained) x 20%
  • Mini group project x 50%
  • Final written exam x 30%
  • Constantine A. Balanis, “Antenna Theory: Analysis and Design“, 4th edition, Wiley, 2016
  • Richard A. Horn, “MIMO Antenna Technology for Wireless Communications“, CRC Press, 2018.
  • Raghavan and R. Abhari, “Millimeter Wave Antennas: Configurations and Applications“, CRC Press, 2016.
  • Kao-Cheng Huang and Mohsen Kavehrad, “Millimeter Wave Communication Systems“, Wiley, 2019
  • Theodore S. Rappaport, Robert W. Heath Jr., and Robert C. Daniels, “Millimeter Wave Wireless Communications“, Prentice Hall, 2014
  • Erik Dahlman, Stefan Parkvall, and Johan Skold, “5G NR: The Next Generation Wireless Access Technology“, Academic Press, 2018
  • Hrishikesh Venkataraman and Ramakrishna Marappa, “5G System Design: Architectural and Functional Considerations and Long-Term Research“, Springer, 2018
  • Mehdi Bennis, Meryem Simsek, and Alan Gatherer, “6G Mobile Communications“, Wiley, 2021

RESEARCH ARTICLES

  • Shrestha, N. Kumar, and B. P. Joshi, “Design and analysis of a dual-band antenna with switchable polarization for 5G communication systems“, Microwave and Optical Technology Letters, vol. 63, no. 2, pp. 529-534, Feb. 2021.
  • Gupta, S. Kumar, and V. Singh, “Design of a circularly polarized planar antenna for 5G communication systems“, International Journal of Microwave and Wireless Technologies, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 249-257, Mar. 2020.
  • Zhang, M. Chen, and W. Hong, “A compact wideband millimeter-wave antenna for 5G communication systems”, IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 290-293, Feb. 2018.
  • R. Chowdhury, S. Sanyal, and A. K. Bhattacharjee, “Design and analysis of a compact multiband MIMO antenna for 5G communication systems“, International Journal of Electronics and Communications, vol. 107, pp. 100-107, Oct. 2019.
  • Zhang, H. Guan, and Z. Chen, “Design and implementation of a 28-GHz millimeter-wave phased array antenna for 5G communication systems“, Journal of Electromagnetic Waves and Applications, vol. 33, no. 7, pp. 852-862, Mar. 2019.

TOOLS

  • CST – Studio Suite®
  • ADS – PathWave Advanced Design System

WEBSITES

  • IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society: The IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society is a professional organization dedicated to the advancement of antenna and propagation science and technology. Their website provides access to publications, conferences, and other resources related to antenna design. https://ieeeaps.org
  • Antenna Magus: Antenna Magus is a software tool that provides a large database of antenna designs and allows users to simulate and optimize antenna performance. Their website provides access to tutorials, case studies, and other resources related to antenna design. https://www.3ds.com/products-services/simulia/products/antenna-magus/
  • Keysight Technologies: Keysight Technologies is a company that provides electronic measurement solutions, including simulation tools for antenna design such as the PathWave Advanced Design System (ADS). Their website provides access to application notes, whitepapers, and other resources related to antenna design. https://www.keysight.com/us/en/products/software/pathwave-design-software/pathwave-advanced-design-system.html
  • CST Studio Suite® is a high-performance 3D EM analysis software package for designing, analyzing and optimizing electromagnetic (EM) components and systems. https://www.3ds.com/products-services/simulia/products/cst-studio-suite/
  • Ansys: Ansys is a company that provides simulation software for a variety of engineering applications, including antenna design. Their website provides access to webinars, case studies, and other resources related to antenna design. https://www.ansys.com/applications/antenna-design-and-placement
  • Radio-Electronics.com: Radio-Electronics.com is a website that provides tutorials, articles, and other resources related to electronics and telecommunications, including antenna design for 5G/6G systems. https://www.electronics-notes.com
  • Microwave Journal, an international magazine that provides articles, white papers from the industry and application notes  https://www.microwavejournal.com
  • Microwaves & RF, an international magazine that provides articles, white papers from the industry and application notes https://www.mwrf.com

instructor(s) : Konstantinos VOUDOURIS