mm-Wave Systems

CSIRO Data61 is a pioneer and one of the world leaders in millimetre-wave communications and hybrid array systems with outstanding track record and research capabilities in electromagnetic analysis, design, testing, integration and packaging of mm –wave devices and circuits.

The millimetre wave bands from 28GHz to 94GHz provide over 16GHz free or light-licensed spectrum, which can support multi-gigabit per second wireless communications including the future 5G cellular networks. Low cost, high speed, low latency mm-wave backhaul is a viable alternative to fibre networks. In some areas, wireless backhaul is dominant and becoming more and more attractive. While low latency communications between end users across the backhaul networks has always been important for delivering high quality services in broadband networks, recent application requirements have made low latency an even more important consideration in data transport. CSIRO Data61 is a pioneer and one of the world leaders in millimetre-wave backhaul. Technologies enabling data rates up to 24Gbps have been developed at CSIRO over a last decade with a world first 6Gbps demonstration in 2006.

Recently, in collaboration with an industry partner EM Clarity, we have developed a low -latency, long-range 5-10Gbps E -band radio link. It is the lowest latency, highest throughput and longest range commercial radio in the industry. It has been successfully deployed in USA by Spread Networks to interconnect New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Exchange servers. Success of the world-class E-band communication systems development is underpinned by CSIRO patented technologies of latency-optimised transceiver design, advanced forward error correction coding and decoding techniques and research capabilities in electromagnetic analysis, high-performance integrated wideband MIMIC RF front end technology, design, integration and packaging of mm-wave devices and circuits. CSIRO has also been a pioneer in development of a mm-wave antenna array technology with a world-first E-band array demonstrated and hybrid antenna array concept suitable for high mm-wave frequencies patented. This technology has a high potential for implementation for inter-aircraft communications, 5G smart cells backhaul and other intelligent networks.

Track record in development of leading-edge microwave and millimetre-wave systems for wireless communication and Imaging applications is underpinned by Microwave Systems team capabilities in EM simulation and modelling, gallium arsenide and indium phosphate MMIC design, high-performance wideband integrated mm-wave RF front-ends and advanced integration of multi-chip system-in-package modules, and know-how at millimetre-wave frequencies at device, module and system levels. Multi-disciplinary skills enable effective collaboration with other teams of Data61 Cyber-physical Systems Research program.

Our research and engineering are supported by key infrastructure facilities Gigahertz Testing and Packaging Laboratories. Testing, micro-[assembly integration and packaging services are available to internal and external clients as summarised in the brochure (link to “Data61 l CSIRO l Mm-wave research capabilities and facilities” brochure).