Vortex Waves

Arrays, Analog RF 2-D Filters, and Nanostructured Multiferroic Antennas for MM-wave OAM-Multiplexed Wireless Systems

PI Arjuna Madanayake

NSF Org: ECCS Div Of Electrical, Commun & Cyber Sys
Initial Amendment Date: May 24, 2015

Latest Amendment Date: June 16, 2017

Award Number: 1509754

Award Instrument: Standard Grant

Program Manager:Jenshan Lin
ECCS Div Of Electrical, Commun & Cyber Sys
ENG Directorate For Engineering

Start Date: August 1, 2015

End Date: July 31, 2019 (Estimated)

Awarded Amount to Date: $305,994.00

Investigator(s): Habarakada (Arjuna) Madanayake amadanay@fiu.edu
(Principal Investigator)
Yu Zhu (Co-Principal Investigator)
Ryan Toonen (Co-Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:University of Akron
302 Buchtel Common
Akron, OH 44325-0001 (330)972-2760

NSF Program(s): COMMS, CIRCUITS & SENS SYS

Program Reference Code(s):105E, 9251

Program Element Code(s):7564

ABSTRACT

Wireless radio frequency (RF) communication has relied on encoding information in the amplitudes and phases of waves that have patterns analogous to the concentric circular ripples produced by dropping a stone into a pond. Radio waves that are said to carry non-zero Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) are more like the swirling vortices that develop as water drains from a sink. The OAM property of these vortex waves provides an additional dimension for transmitting information. This research will investigate antenna array analog filtering methods that can extract the OAM information from a received signal despite the presence of electromagnetic interference and noise. Mathematical filter design techniques, founded on topology and multi-dimensional signal processing, will be realized using complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) based recursive filters, which will enable high-frequency, continuous-time data extraction. Circuit theory will be created for use in designing RF vortex wave array processors that have multi-GHz bandwidth for challenging realizations in the microwave and millimeter-wave range. This work provides a new technique for exploiting an unused design dimension. Apart from providing communications engineers with a new means of physically realizing OAM-multiplexing, the results of this effort might offer paradigm-changing solutions for improving imaging and encryption technologies. Such technologies could impact medical, telecommunications, and defense industries as well as radio astronomy and atmospheric science. This knowledge will be distributed through outreach activitie at conferences and meetings. The project includes a female PI and will involve participation from underrepresented groups. There will be summer STEM workshops for high-school girls at both the University of Akron and the University of Texas at Dallas. Lab open houses will educate the public of the possible merits of this project for future wireless systems.

Vortex modes are orthogonal to each other despite occupying the same carrier frequency and bandwidth, allowing independent encoding of information. OAM-multiplexing allows encoding with overlapped radio bandwidth. The project explores array-processing schemes for electronically tuning onto desired vortex modes using array processing and analog RF integrated circuits (ICs). Filter design techniques founded on curvilinear multi-dimensional signal processing are proposed for vortex-wave array processing using recursive filters, leading to high frequency continuous-time RF CMOS realizations. Circuit theory will be created for use in designing RF vortex wave array processors that have multi-GHz bandwidth for challenging realizations in the microwave and millimeter-wave range. Design methodologies and techniques for analog realizations will result from theoretical analysis, circuit synthesis, simulation and modeling of the vortex signal processors. To circumvent the problem of scattering of incoming signals, the project explores novel subwavelength antennas that minimize radio wave reflections by virtue of their smallness and the fact that the characteristic impedance of the antenna material will be engineered so as to achieve impedance matching with free space. This work will take advantage of the cross-coupled electric, magnetic and acoustic properties of magnetoelectric multiferroic materials (to be realized using polymer nanocomposites) to drastically enhance the performance of electrically small antennas. Conversion between electromagnetic and acoustic energy is advantageous because a signal of a particular frequency will have a much shorter acoustic wavelength than that of a radio wave.

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH

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Kewei Liu, Zitian Yu, Xiaowen Zhu, Shuo Zhang, Feng Zou, and Yu Zhu. "A Universal Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)-Active Graphene Cathode for Lithium-Air Battery," RSC Adv, v.6, 2016.

Michael Gasper, Ryan Toonen, Samuel Hirsch, Mathew Ivill, Henning Richter, and Ramesh Sivarajan. "Radio Frequency Carbon Nanotube Thin-Film Bolometer," IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques (MTT), 2017.

N. Parsa, N. Hawk, M. R. Gasper, R. C. Toonen and Fang Peng. "Apparatus for characterizing millimeter-wave propagation through magnetoelastic multiferroic materials," 2017 Cognitive Communications for Aerospace Applications Workshop (CCAA), Cleveland, OH, 1-4, 2017. doi:10.1109/CCAAW.2017.8001875 

Nitin Parsa, Michael Gasper, Ryan Toonen, Mathew Ivill and Samuel Hirsch. "Microwave Power Detection from an Anharmonic Dipolar Resonance," 2016 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium, San Francisco, CA, 2016. doi:10.1109/MWSYM.2016.7540114 

Vitor Countinho, Viduneth Ariyarathna, Diego Coelho, Renato Cintra, and Arjuna Madanayake.. "An 8-Beam 2.4 GHz Digital Array Receiver Based on a Fast Multiplierless Spatial DFT Approximation," IEEE 2018 International Microwave Symposium (IMS), 2018.

EARS

Enhancing Access to the Radio Spectrum (EARS)

NSF Proposal No. 1247940

Enhancing Spectral Access via Directional Spectrum Sensing Employing 3D Cone Filterbanks: Interdisciplinary Algorithms and Prototypes

Dr. A. Madanayake (PI)

Intellectual Merit

This NSF EARS project proposes a new spectrum sensing architecture combined with joint link scheduling and routing to significantly enhance access to the radio spectrum. Traditional non-directional sensing algorithms do not offer information about the direction of primary and secondary signals, directional information on interference, and information on network node location, and hence significantly limit the potential of cognitive radio technology in terms of spectrum utilization. This project envisions a generalized framework leading to the determination and subsequent utilization of spatio-temporal vacancies in time, frequency, position and direction. New mathematical, hardware, and software algorithms and techniques will be pioneered toward enabling low-complexity digital radios. Multi-dimensional sensed information will drive the innovation of cross-layer link scheduling and routing schemes aimed at boosting the cognitive radio network performance. The proposed innovations will be accomplished through mathematical formulation and modeling of directional sensing algorithms based on multi-dimensional signal processing concepts. The project will also investigate low-complexity fast algorithms for enabling real-time realization leading to new types of (i) digital integrated circuits, (ii) new design techniques for cognitive radios, and (iii) highly agile radio frequency component models all leading to an integrated directional spectrum sensor.

Broader Impacts

This proposal entails tightly integrated research and educational activities at four universities including an HBCU and an undergraduate institution. Spectrum-aware education is pursued as one of the key components of the project because wireless system designers and policy makers alike urgently need this knowledge for pioneering new innovations in this upcoming area of technology. Scientific findings enabled by the proposed research in the cognitive radio networks will serve as a tangible tool-box for engineering transformational technologies such technologies could, in turn, lead to mushrooming of businesses and services that directly benefit from intellectual property (e.g. patents). This research will foster startup firms manufacturing new devices that will potentially improve today's wireless infrastructure. Distinct and diverse applications in education, energy, environment, healthcare, infrastructure, and public-safety will be studied from a unified perspective, i.e. spectrum scarcity, with the objective of maximizing the untapped economic potential of such scientific findings. The project will involve minorities, underrepresented groups, and women in research, while inspiring spectrum-aware educational concepts through new laboratory modules. Participation of underrepresented groups and women will be encouraged and promoted through mentorship and outreach, aimed at inspiring them to take up graduate studies in engineering and computer science.

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH

Note:  When clicking on a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) number, you will be taken to an external site maintained by the publisher. Some full text articles may not yet be available without a charge during the embargo (administrative interval). 

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A. Madanayake, C. Wijenayake, D. Dansereau, T. K. Gunaratne, L. T. Bruton, and S. Williams. "Multidimensional (MD) Circuits and Systems For Emerging Applications Including Cognitive Radio, Radio Astronomy, Robot Vision and Imaging," IEEE Circuits and Systems (CAS) Magazine, v.13, 2013.

A. Madanayake, C. Wijenayake, J. S. Kota and L. T. Bruton. "Space-Time Spectral White Spaces in Cognitive Radio: Theory, Algorithms and Circuits," IEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Circuits and Systems (JETCAS) Special Issue on Cognitive Radio and Software Defined Radio (SDR), 2013.

A. Madanayake, C. Wijenayake, R. M. Joshi, L. Belostotski, M. Almalkawi, L. T. Bruton and V. Devabhaktuni. "Electronically Scanned RF-to-Bits Beam Aperture Arrays Using 2-D IIR Spatially Bandpass Digital Filters," Multi-Dimensional Systems and Signal Processing (MSSP), 2013.

Chamith Wijenayake, Arjuna Madanayake, Leonid Belostotski, Yonghseng Xu and Len Bruton. "All-Pass Filter-Based 2-D IIR Filter-Enhanced Beamformers for AESA Receivers," IEEE Trans. on Circuits and Systems (TCAS-I):Regular Papers, v.61, 2014.

J. Adams, A. Madanayake and L. T. Bruton. "Approximate Realization of Fractional-Order 2-D IIR Frequency-Planar Filters," IEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Circuits and Systems (JETCAS) Special Issue on Fractional Order Systems, 2013.

J. Kota, C. Wijenayake, A. Madanayake, L. Belostotski and L. T. Bruton. "A 2-D Signal Processing Model to Predict the Effect of Mutual Coupling on Array Factor," IEEE Antennas and Wireless Communication Letters (AWPL), 2013.

N. Rajapaksha, A. Madanayake, and L.T. Bruton. "Systolic array architecture for steerable multibeam VHF wave-digital RF apertures," IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems, v.51, 2015.

A. Madanayake, T. Randeny, N. Udayanga, A. Sengupta, G. Jones, C. Wijenayake and L.T. Bruton. "Applications of RF Aperture-Array Spatially-Bandpass 2-D IIR Filters in Sub-Nyquist Spectrum Sensing, Wideband Doppler Radar and Radio Astronomy Beamforming," Multidimensional Systems and Signal Processing, 2015.

A. Sengupta, A. Madanayake, R. Gómez-García and L. Belostotski. "Wide-Band Aperture Array Using a Four-channel Manifold-Type Planar Multiplexer and Digital 2-D IIR Filterbank," Circuit Theory and Applications (CTA), 2015.

L. Belostotski, K. Warnick, B. Veidt, and A. Madanayake. "Low Noise Amplifier Design Considerations For Use in Antenna Arrays," IEEE Trans. on Antennas and Propagation, 2015.

N. Rajapaksha, A. Madanayake and L.T Bruton. "VLSI Systolic Array Multi-beam 3-D IIR Wave-Digital Aperture Antennas," IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems, 2015.

S. Wijeratna, A. Madanayake, C. Wijenayake, and L. T. Bruton. "VLSI architectures for direct conversation receiver beamforming using 2-D IIR beam filter," IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems, 2015.

Gihan Mendis, Jin Wei and Arjuna Madanayake. "Deep Learning Based Doppler-Radar for Micro-UAS Detection and Classification," IEEE MILCOM 2016, 2016.

Gihan Mendis, Jin Wei and Arjuna Madanayake. "Deep-Learning based Automated Modulation Classification for Cognitive Radio," IEEE International Conference on Communication Systems (ICCS), 2016.

V. Devabhaktuni, K. Alshamaileh and A. Madanayake. "Multi-way Impedance-varying Power Dividers for Wideband Applications," International Journal of RF and Microwave Computer Aided Engineering, 2015.

Analog ACCESS

Analog CMOS Computing Chips for Accelerating Linear and Non-Linear Partial Differential Equations (PDEs).

Team: Hasantha Malavipathirana, Nilan Udayanga, Jifu Liang, Yingying Wang, SI Hariharan, Soumyajit Mandal, Dale Mugler, and Arjuna Madanayake.

Analog computers (ACs) were the primary method of computation during 1930-1940. With the advent of digital computers (DCs), which were subsequently fueled by exponential technology scaling (Moore's Law) resulted in ACs being forgotten as a computing platform. However, with the limitations in technology scaling and the performance challenges of DCs, there has been significant interest in ACs as a method of alternative computing. In fact, applications of ACs are being investigated in domains such as machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), edge-cloud sensor processing and scientific computing.

This project is focused on the application of CMOS integrated circuit based ACs to perform complex physics-based simulations and scientific computing. In simple terms, scientific computing involves solving systems of partial differential equations (PDEs) that describe physical phenomena such as radiation from an antenna, formation of hurricanes or behavior of plasma. In general, PDEs are solved in DCs using finite difference time domain (FDTD) algorithms, which discretize the PDE in both space and time dimensions. However, the continuous time nature of PDEs allow them to be solved using continuous-time algorithms and analog circuits, achieving acceleration in the computing.

We started with standard FDTD numerical methods and designed spatially discrete time continuous (SDTC) algorithms to solve linear and nonlinear PDEs. Then the algorithms are directly mapped with analog circuits to solve the equations. The time difference operator in FDTD method is replaced with an analog all-pass filter (designed using resistors and capacitors), which generates a continuous time delay. Primary building blocks of the AC are operational amplifiers (perform summing and scaling operations), all-pass filters (generate time delay), and analog multipliers (perform multiplication of sinusoidal signals). As a proof of concept, we designed an analog integrated circuit (IC) to solve the wave equation, which is a linear PDE widely applicable in computational electrodynamics. The IC was designed using TSMC 180 nm process and the measured results show a 420x speed-up compared to latest NVIDIA GPUs and 15x performance (in terms of computations per Watt) compared to state of the art FPGAs. while consuming only 200 mW of power. A second IC was designed to simulate acoustic wave propagation in a variable area duct, which has applications in modeling sound propagation in jet engine nozzles. This system is governed by two coupled nonlinear PDEs, which is a slightly complex variant of the Burger's equation in fluid dynamics. This IC was also designed using TSMC 180nm CMOS process and it is currently being assembled on a printed circuit board for testing.

DHARMA Initiative

Digital Hardware Architectures for RF Multidimensional Arrays (DHARMA)

The NSF funded research project on “Digital Hardware Architectures for RF Multi-Dimensional Arrays (DHARMA)” with PIs Arjuna Madanayake and Xin Wang (SUNY, Stony Brook) is underway. The PIs thank Program Officer Dr George Haddad (NSF-CCSS) for supporting this research.

Award Abstract #1408361 Title: Collaborative Research: Electronically-Scanned Wideband Digital Aperture Antenna Arrays using Multi-Dimensional Space-Time Circuit-Network Resonance: Theory and Hardware.

An aperture array is a group of antennas that can be deployed in particular geometric patterns to detect radio signals at a given range of frequencies. Using an array is beneficial for electrical engineering because it can magnify a radio signal in the direction of that signal while suppressing noise and interference through a process known as beamforming. In addition, an antenna array can be used to detect the direction and distance of the signal’s source. Aperture arrays are a crucial component of scientific instruments that measure the spatial distribution of radio sources. For example, radio telescopes, such as the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) instrument, rely on aperture arrays to generate precise radio images of electromagnetic sources for experimental cosmology and space science. These instruments image the sky using closely spaced radio beams known as radio pixels. Closely packed sets of such beams can be achieved by using hexagonal pixel grids, which are considered ideal for scientific studies. In order to build aperture beamformers to be used for a specific purpose, efficient schemes for processing the antenna array signals must be developed to reduce the computing time, energy consumption, and costs for the hardware required in the system. The proposed research creates new algorithms and digital computing architectures that will produce highly-focused hexagonal radio pixels for the most demanding of microwave imaging applications. The same aperture arrays are used in radar and wireless communication systems for signature detection and signal intelligence. In fact, aperture arrays are absolutely essential for national security and public safety from a threat detection perspective. In addition to its scientific merits and benefits for national security, this project will train highly qualified personnel (HQP), who will contribute to commercial industry, scientific research, public safety agencies, and the defense sector. Specific efforts will focus on promoting Women in Engineering programs in higher education to recruit and guide female engineering students at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.

The proposed research tackles the problem of highly directional sparse aperture arrays using the mathematical properties of multi-dimensional recursive digital filters. The NSF-sponsored effort will develop hardware systems for aperture arrays based on the proposed concept of network-resonant phased-arrays (NRPAs). Multi-dimensional (MD) circuit theory and digital hardware form an enabling technology for imaging algorithms that can greatly improve performance over traditional technologies. This research proposes groundbreaking techniques based on array signal processing, circuits and systems. It will result in a significant improvement in the directional sensitivity while using a lower number of array elements compared to traditional phased array receivers of the same sensitivity. The proposed NRPAs combine the concept of network resonance with phased array technology to gain significant improvement in both directionality and sensitivity. The MD circuit theoretical concept of network resonance allows digital beamformers to have complex pole manifolds. These properties are shown to have advantages in terms of ultra-wideband frequency response, exceptional directionality, multi-beams with shape control, rapid steerability, and low computational complexity. This project investigates radio beams with a hexagonal sky-print for optimal sensing and microwave imaging over wide fields-of-view and bandwidths. The proposed NRPAs will be extended to both sparse and random arrays via theoretical formulations for decreasing hardware cost, reducing energy expended in computers and increasing design flexibility.

Arindam Sengupta, Arjuna Madanayake, Roberto Gomez-Garcia and Leo Belostotski. "Wide-Band Aperture Array Using a Four-channel Manifold-Type Planar Multiplexer and Digital 2-D IIR Filterbank," Intl. Journal of Circuit Theory and Applications (CTA), 2016.

Nilanka Rajapaksha, Sewwandi Wijeratna, Arjuna Madanayake and Leonard T. Bruton. "Fast FPGA-Architecture for Fan/Beam-Steering in Wave-Digital RF Aperture Arrays," Multi-Dimensional Systems and Signal Processing (MSSP), Springer, 2016.

Peyman Ahmadi, Brent Maundy, Ahmed Elwakil, Leonid Belostotski and Arjuna Madanayake. "A New 2nd-Order Allpass Filter in 130nm CMOS," IEEE Trans. on Circuits and Systems-II: Express Briefs, 2016.

Nilan Udayanga, Arjuna Madanayake, Tharindu Randeny, Chamith Wijenayake, Arindam Sengupta, Len Bruton, and Glenn Jones.. "Applications of RF Aperture-Array Spatially-Bandpass 2-D IIR Filters in Sub-Nyquist Spectrum Sensing, Wideband Doppler Radar and Radio Astronomy Beamforming," Multi-Dimensional Systems and Signal Processing (MSSP), Springer, 2016.

Viduneth Ariyarathna, Arjuna Madanayake, Len Bruton, and Pan Agathoklis. "Mixed Microwave-Digital and Multi-Rate Approach for Wideband Beamforming Applications Using 2-D IIR Beam Filters and Nested Uniform Linear Arrays," Multi-Dimensional Systems and Signal Processing (MSSP), Springer, 2016.

Vishwa Seneviratne, Arjuna Madanayake and Len T. Bruton. "Multi-Dimensional DSP Beamformers using the ROACH-2 FPGA Platform," MDPI Electronics Special Issue on Smart Antennas and MIMO Communications, 2017.