UCD's RF & Microwave Research Group was established by late Prof. Tom Brazil in early 1980s. It has over 40 years experience in advanced device modelling, high frequency simulation algorithms, behavioural modelling and power amplifier design. It is well-known in Europe and else where as a centre of excellence in microwave engineering research. Current research themes include physical and equivalent-circuit modelling of high frequency devices, nonlinear simulation techniques, behavioural modelling of RF power amplifiers and wireless transmitters, high efficiency power amplifier design and broadband linearisation using digital predistortion. Research on advanced wireless MIMO transceiver architectures, machine learning and nonlinear system identification algorithms are also being carried out.
This work is supported by an extensive high performance PNA-based test and measurement capability up to 110GHz, including high precision parametric measurement solution, Pulsed IV and load-pull system, programmable vector signal generators and high performance vector signal analyzers, as well as full software infrastructure (ADS, AWR, Matlab etc). This group has received funding from various sources, including Principal Investigator Awards from Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), Technology Transfer and Commercialization Grants from Enterprise Ireland (EI). UCD was a leading partner in the EU FP6 Network of Excellence "TARGET" in microwave CAD from 2004 to 2007 and we have been working with the European Space Agency (ESA) in developing advanced digital predistortion techniques for satellite communications since 2012. The UCD group was also funded by MCCI in developing digital calibration algorithms for analog to digital data converters. This group is one of the main research teams in the Ireland's Research Centre for Future Networks and Communications - CONNECT.
Facilities
- Agilent E8361A Performance Network Analyser PNA (110GHz)
- Agilent E5270A Parametric Measurement Solution
- Cascade Microtech Summit 9000 Analytical Probe Station
- Agilent E4438C ESG Vector Signal Generator
- Agilent E4406A VSA Series Transmitter tester
- Focus Microwave 1808 CCM load-pull system to 18GHz.
- LPKF microstrip milling station
- Rohde & Schwarz SMW signal generator
- Rohde & Schwarz FSW signal analyzer
- Rohde & Schwarz ATS1800C Antenna Test Chamber