Leuven, Belgium – October 3, 2013– The Belgian nanoelectronics research center, imec, today announced a new partnership with ANSYS, Inc. The agreement enables imec to use ANSYS’ high-frequency electromagnetic and high-performance modelling tools to perform advanced research on antenna design and antenna/package-chip co-design in integrated mm-wave Systems-in-a-Package (SiP)

The downscaling of CMOS technology makes CMOS an attractive candidate as implementation technology for wireless transceiver ICs operating at mm-wave frequencies (30-300 GHz). Moreover, since antenna dimensions become smaller, antenna arrays can be integrated with the radio chip in a compact mm-wave system-in-a-package (SiP). However, the mm-wave package design is complicated because the dense integration of mm-wave chip, antenna(s) and control lines in a small package can lead to significant electromagnetic interference and the smallest parasitics can severely degrade the system performance if not modelled and handled carefully.

Imec offers a broad R&D portfolio of integrated millimeter wave solutions for communication, radar and sensing applications. In communications, imec realized compact 60 GHz modules with active beamforming, resulting in a fully functional and IEEE 802.11ad compliant gigabit wireless link using ANSYS’ simulation tools to simultaneously model the integration of beamforming chip and antennae in a low-cost compact package with good radiation efficiency and excellent shielding. Last year imec expanded its millimeter wave research towards integrated solutions for 79 GHz radar. Imec’s millimeter wave roadmap further covers advanced sensing solutions for medical, industrial and consumer applications. For these applications, imec studies innovative module concepts and on-chip antennas.

The ANSYS simulation tools form an essential part in the development of all these integrated millimeter wave solutions. They enable the simultaneous modelling of chip-to-antenna interconnect and the radiation of the antennas at mm-wave frequencies. Using simulation early in the design process provides the necessary insights that allow imec to optimize the system performance. Applying simulation at an early stage of the wireless system design process shortens the development cycle and reduces developing cost.

More information about imec’s R&D offering at http://www2.imec.be/be_en/research/wireless-communication/79ghz-radar.html