WP4: Space Electronics and Photonics
WP4 will develop novel circuit-level and system-level solutions that utilize advanced electronics and photonics for telecommunications (Earth-to-Satellite and Satellite-to-Satellite) and sensing applications. The focus of the planned activities will be on large antenna arrays operating at high carrier frequencies, on co-integrating electronics and photonics, and on low-power clock generation for energy- and cost-constrained systems.
Space, as the ultimate frontier, has been a perennial inspiration of scientific and technological explorations for multiple decades. Recent successes of global commercial LEO SATCOM services, such as SpaceX and OneWeb, have made access to space affordable which stimulated a new wave of technology innovations, particularly in the fields of telecommunication and sensing. With the SwissChips project, the Space Electronics and Photonics work package will serve as the seedling funding opportunity and support Swiss researchers in multiple vertically coupled layers, i.e., devices, circuits, systems, and algorithms for Space applications. The overarching goal is to accelerate scientific and technological explorations in Space Electronics and Photonics for telecommunication and sensing.
WP4 Lead: Prof. Hua Wang, ETH Zurich
Hua Wang leads the Integrated Devices, Electronics, and Systems (IDEAS) Group at ETH Zurich. The group focuses on leveraging advanced integrated circuit technologies, novel devices, AI/ML intelligence, and system integration to address a diverse range of applications, including wireless communication, sensing, bioelectronics, and advanced computing. The research prioritizes ultimate energy efficiency for resource-constrained systems, intelligent adaptation to challenging environments, and the development of environmentally sustainable hardware platforms.
Research topics within WP4 include energy-efficient RF/mm-Wave electronics for SATCOM phased arrays, large-scale flexible antenna arrays, and AI/ML-assisted calibration, operation, and adaptation of SATCOM arrays.
Contact: Hua Wang
WP4 Co-lead: Prof. Juerg Leuthold, ETH Zurich
Juerg Leuthold is the head of the Institute of Electromagnetic Fields (IEF) at ETH Zurich. The IEF performs research on the wave and particle characteristics of electromagnetic fields at all frequencies. A strong focus is thereby on the use of electromagnetic fields for applications in the areas of high-speed optical communications, wireless communications, photonic and THz sensing and plasmonics. In practice, the IEF members work on theoretical aspects, perform numerical simulations, design, fabricate and characterize latest components. The institute has its own software library and maintains state-of-the art labs both at the ETH center as well as at the IBM Rüschlikon site.
Contact: Juerg Leuthold