3D-LommID: Novel Techniques, Theories and Circuits for 3D Locatable mm-Wave RFID Tags

• Applicants: Professor Dr.-Ing. Frank Ellinger; Professor Dr.-Ing. Martin Vossiek
• Subject Area: Electronic Semiconductors, Components and Circuits, Integrated Systems, Sensor Technology, Theoretical Electrical Engineering
• Term: from 2016 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 288736853

High precision 3D indoor and outdoor localization and high speed communication are key technologies for the internet of things and for vehcile2vehicle and vehicle2infrastructure communication. The main goal of 3D-LommID is to establish novel multiple in multiple out (MIMO) architectures suitable for long-range, high accuracy, multipath resistant and multi-object 3D localization, as well as simultaneous high speed communication based on the innovative switched injection-locked oscillator (SILO) transponder principle. The frequency band around 60 GHz is chosen since it allows a large bandwidth and consequently a high positioning accuracy, as well as small form factors even when applying MIMO concepts requiring multiple signal paths. Two major transponder architectures will be investigated: Firstly, a regenerative retrodirective MIMO backscatter approach, which employs multiple SILOs in a Van Atta array configuration to achieve a high coverage range of up to 100 m with a stable bidirectional communication link as well as a positioning accuracy of around 5 cm. Secondly, a regenerative orthogonally coded MIMO backscatter approach, which provides a high 3D object position accuracy down to 1 cm and orientation tracking using highly flexible pulse coding and inverse beamforming at the base station. Both transponder concepts interoperate with a MIMO base station with multiple coherent RX and TX modules featuring wideband complex signal generation and reception for FMCW ranging, angle of arrival detection as well as bidirectional communication. Regarding theory, profound analyses for multi-SILO backscatter systems and circuits will be performed in order to identify optimum pulse synchronization and modulation schemes as well as optimal circuit design parameters. System and component level simulations allow for an analysis of technological boundaries and parameters. Existing theoretical models will be extended considering parasitics and boundaries of real-world implementations. Several novel ideas are investigated on circuit level: e.g. high power oscillators based on breakdown multiplier circuits (smart transistor stacking) as well as adding of fast switchable preamplifiers and power amplifiers plus control and pulse generator circuits to increase the signal to noise ratio. Moreover, to enable compact MIMO systems, we will study compact, passive-inductor-less and active-inductor-based SILO approaches. The circuits will be implemented in fasted available BiCMOS technology and combined with optimized antenna configurations. The final system demonstrator will consist of two MIMO base stations and multiple transponders. To our knowledge, this will be the first research on MIMO SILO concepts.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants