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The RF Power Laboratory investigates engineering challenges related to RF and microwave active circuit design. Specifically, the group is working on making RF front-ends and related components more energy efficient. Our research in novel power amplifier architectures for communications addresses the performance tradeoffs (such as linearity vs. efficiency) in conventional designs. By manipulating low-power, phase-controlled inputs of multiple nonlinear but efficient PAs whose outputs are combined in a non-isolating network, simultaneous efficiency and wide-range output power control can be achieved. This approach extends to other RF applications requiring high performance such as phased-array systems and wireless power transfer. Furthermore, the high-frequency, switched-mode operation of devices employed for efficiency enhancement at RF has significant overlap with high-frequency power electronics.

ARG specializes in antenna theory and design with emphasis on millimeter-wave direction finding systems; simultaneous transmit and receive (STAR); broadband antennas, low-cost micromachining alternatives; frequency independent and wideband antennas; development of passive millimeter-wave components, systems, and electronic warfare front-ends; low-cost fabrication of RF systems; and multi-physics, multi-scale modeling. Our research approach integrates theory, full-wave and circuit modeling, prototyping, and metrology on stand-alone articles as well as integrated on different platforms and operational environments. ARG has state of the art anechoic chamber for near and far-field antenna testing from 0.5GHz to 110GHz.

The Microwave Research Group (MRG) has expertise in active high frequency circuits and antenna arrays for communications, radar, industrial, metrology and medical applications. Current research projects include: high-efficiency MMIC GaN PAs at X and Ku bands for broadband communications signals and amplitude modulated radar signals; designing in-package harmonic terminations for high-power devices; on-chip DC-DC converters switching at GHz frequencies; W to H-band GaN MMIC PAs and associated packaging; excitation probes for high-magnetic field MRI; microwave radiometry for core body temperature measurements; and nonlinear microwave metrology development. The lab is equipped with state-of- the-art measurement equipment from DC to millimeter-wave frequencies (G-band), including network analyzers, a load-pull system, spectrum analyzers, scalar measurement systems and a multi-purpose anechoic chamber.