ON-CHIP ACTIVE RECONFIGURABLE FILTERS FOR 5G PHASED ARRAY ANTENNAS (CARFI-5G)
CARFI-5G is a European Space Agency (ESA) project, in relation to the ARTES 5G/6G work plan item 7A.076, on On-chip active reconfigurable filters for 5G phased Array Antennas. It involves 3 partners and a total budget of 2.5M Euros.
The 24-months project encompasses the entire development lifecycle, from identifying system scenarios and defining requirements, to designing, implementing, testing, and verifying the performance of the RFIC filters within a demonstrator system. The ultimate goal is to achieve a validated, technology-ready solution (TRL 5) that can serve as a foundation for future commercial applications, including phased array antennas for 5G, satellite communication, and other cutting-edge use cases.
Development of Reconfigurable Wideband Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC) filters, which will enhance bandwidth adaptability, enabling control over emissions and interference.
Integration with Phased Array Systems, which leverage the flexibility of the RFIC filters, covering a wide range of C-band (3.3-7.0 GHz) frequencies to address various terrestrial and satellite connectivity scenarios.
Performance Validation, to showcase the RFIC filters’ benefits in terms of key performance metrics, (such as linearity, tuning time, tuning range, power consumption, compactness).
Hybrid Connectivity Enablement, supporting innovative use cases, such as dual-connectivity terrestrial/satellite systems, high-data-rate 5G uplinks and downlinks, and interference mitigation for applications like Connected Cars, Aeronautical 5G, and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) terminals.
Advanced Design Tools to enable the optimisation of the system-level performance for diverse 5G operating and interference scenarios.
Technology Advancement and TRL Enhancement, progressing to TRL 5 and providing the foundation for further industrialisation and commercialization.
To lead and contribute to the identification of the system scenarios and technical requirements, which will guide RFIC filter design and integration.
To provide in-house field-testing facilities, leading the validation of the developed demonstrator.
Conduct beam steering and radiation pattern measurements.
Ensure compliance with licensing, safety, and spectrum regulations.
Support end-to-end validation of the phased array demonstrator in realistic environments.