Research activity of the Microwave Laboratory
The Microwave Laboratory is active in many different research topics, with important applications in the fields of communications, defence and aerospace. Among them:
- 3D printed microwave components
- Beam-waveguide feeding system for large reflector antennas
- Commercial and scientific reflector antennas for ground stations
- Dichroic mirrors, mesh reflectors and frequency-dependent coatings
- Electromagnetic compatibility
- Graphene-based microwave circuits
- Interaction between electromagnetic fields and biological systems
- Microstrip and SIW circuits
- Microwave and mm-wave imaging
- Microwave components for space, defence and scientific applications
- Microwave remote sensing and diagnostic
- Numerical methods for the modelling of microwave and mm-wave components and antennas
- Patch antennas for terrestrial and space application
- RF and microwave components on paper substrate
- Substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) technology
- Wearable components and antennas
Partnership and Collaborations of the Microwave Laboratory
The Microwave Laboratory has joined several national and international partnership and collaborations, both in the academic and industrial world, which have been aimed to scientific research and cutting-edge industrial development. Among the others:
- ADS International
- Callisto
- Cobham
- CTTC
- Ècole Polytechnique de Montrèal
- ENI
- EUMETSAT
- European Space Agency
- Faini Telecommunication Systems
- Hitec Luxemburg
- Huawei
- IMS Bordeaux
- Institute fur Textiltechnik
- Istituto Europeo di Oncologia
- Makalumedia
- MIRAD
- National Academy of Science
- Siemens
- Space Engineering
- STMicroelectronics
- Thales Alenia Space
- Technische Universitat Darmstadt
- TILab
- Universitat de Valencia
- Universidad Politecnica de Valencia
- University of Cartagena
- University of Erlangen-Nuernberg
- University of Ghent
- Zelinda
Facts of the Microwave Laboratory
The Microwave Laboratory is equipped with commercial software for the analysis of electromagnetic devices and with up-to-date 32-bit and 64-bit workstations (up to 8 cores and 64 GB RAM on Intel Xeon architecture). The most relevant commercial software is:
- Ansys Electromagnetic Suite (including Designer RF and HFSS)
- Ticra Grasp
- The Mathworks Matlab
- Wolfram Mathematica
- Vector Fields Concerto
- Essential MacLeod
The Microwave Laboratory can also rely on in-house developed software:
- FSS & PAT, embedded in ACID – analysis of dichroic mirrors
- ANAPLAN_W & PAGODA – analysis of waveguide components
The instrumentation of the Microwave Laboratory includes:
- Albatross Projects anechoic chamber (4×3×3 m3)
- HP8510C VNA up to 40 GHz
- Keysight FieldFox N9916A VNA/SA up to 14 GHz
- Keysight E5080B VNA up to 44 GHz
- Alter 6 kW/2.45 GHz controllable microwave generator with adaptable matching network
- ProtoMat E33 circuit board manufacturing
- Rohde & Schwarz USB power meter NRP-Z21 up to 18 GHz
- HP 8350B/83592A signal generator up to 20 GHz