Connected Future Summit at IMS2023
2023 Theme: Connected Transportation
Tuesday, 13 June 2023
08:00-17:10
Room: 33ABC, San Diego Convention Center
Overview:
This year's Connected Future Summit in San Diego is a collaboration between IEEE MTT-S and the IEEE Communications Society (COMSOC). Future Next G 6G networks will need to deliver a quality of experience through a seamless integration of communication, computation, and artificial intelligence. In addition to the technology advancements toward 6G IMT2030, the wireless connectivity landscape is changing rapidly with the evolution of local area network Wi-Fi and broadband wireless non- terrestrial networks (NTNs) satellite networks based on low-Earth orbit satellite constellations (see Figure below). The Next G technical specifications are transposed into standards by the seven regional Standards Setting Organizations that form the 3rd Generation Partnership Project toward 6G IMT2030 via the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector. These standards for Next G deployment, along with R&D of the cellular technologies, are impacting future directions of connectivity in coordination with next-generation Wi-Fi technologies and broadband satellite networks.
A Connected Future Vision
Agenda for the CF Summit 2023
08:00-8:10 Introduction
08:10-9:00 Keynote on Connected Transportation
Speaker: James Misener, Qualcomm
Keynote Title: "The Communication Future Can Profoundly and Positively Impact the Transportation Future"
Keynote Abstract: For decades academics and policy makers in transportation have envisioned seamless transportation where the connectivity physical, resulting in safe and efficient movement of people and goods. Increasingly, transportation practitioners are involved as the technologies to instantiate these ideas are in hand – and this is an exciting threshold. In this talk, I describe now link and network connectivity and the underpinning technologies underpin the acceleration of transportation systems management and individual traveler movement to portend how and why we will collectively travel in the future. The thesis that parallel development of different radio access technologies and the deployment of these onto both vehicles and the infrastructure will indeed transform the road to the future will be provided with illustrations of this future.
09:00-9:40 Application Specific
Speaker: Ali Sadri, Airgain
Title: “The Future of Transportation: Multifaceted Connectivity among Vehicles”
Abstract: The concept of connected vehicles and the future of mobility is gaining popularity as technological advancements continue to transform the way we connect to the network. One clear example is the connected vehicle that can connect to the internet for real-time data access, communicate with other vehicles to avoid accidents, sense traffic lights to balance speed and traffic congestion, and other infrastructure devices to improve safety and generally improve energy efficiency. We will talk about the benefits and challenges of connected transportation, how it creates synergy with the wireless infrastructure, and some potential use cases by adopting 5G and beyond.
09:40-10:10 AM Coffee Break
09:00-9:40 System Arch/Testbeds
Speaker: Mari Silbey, US-Ignite
Title: "PAWR – Driving Innovations in Connectivity"
Abstract: Innovation in wireless technology requires continuous experimentation, but many of the resources needed for research are locked up in private labs or production networks that few can access. The Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research (PAWR) program offers a new option. With four large-scale testbeds located in diverse geographic regions across the U.S., PAWR provides unique capabilities for both commercial and academic researchers developing next-generation network technologies. The testbeds combine physical infrastructure, software, and spectrum assets that are open for broad researcher use. This talk will cover the capabilities of the PAWR platforms, why they are so important to the innovation ecosystem, and how they are driving some of the latest technology developments in Open RAN, spectrum sharing, drone communications, and more.
10:45-11:20 RF/mmW System/FE/Component/Circuit/Antenna
Speaker: Maha Achour, MetaWave
Title: "Enhancing Safety and AI Perception using Long-Range High-SNR and Low-Interference 76-81GHz Multi-Functional Radar Sensing and V2V Communication"
Abstract: The multi-billion mobility industry (comprising automotive, telecom, IoT, and infrastructure sectors for transportation) is on the brink of a paradigm shift. The industry is transitioning from a reliance on human drivers, to driver assist (ADAS), and eventually to fully self-driving vehicles on the ground and in the air for commercial, government and defense applications. When it is fully adopted sometime in the coming decade, this transformation will be equivalent to the proliferation of cellular networks and mobile devices in terms of human productivity and economic growth.
At the heart of the autonomous vehicle is the “Brain” — a seamlessly integrated, well-tuned system of hardware and software components that control the vehicle and communicate with the sensors positioned around the vehicle that detect and analyze its environment and surroundings. These edge sensing and centralized compute systems are powered by state-of-the-art semiconductor chips that run complex algorithms and process signals from simple but sophisticated analog circuitry for sensing and communication to attain the stringent safety requirements (from redundancy to latency) required for Level 4 (no human interaction required) autonomy. The distributed and networked vehicles concept enabled by Metawave’s semiconductor, system, and software solutions enables real-time long-range all-weather and all-terrain radar sensing, communication, and object classification for commercial, federal, and defense applications.
11:20-11:55 RF/mmW System/FE/Component/Circuit/Antenna
Speaker: Harish Krishnaswamy, University of Columbia and Sivers
Title: "The Path to 6G: What Have We Learned from 5G and Where Do We Go From Here?"
Abstract: We are now around 5 years into the commercial roll out of 5G. The expansion of spectrum in the lower bands, and the deployment of massive MIMO has been very successful. Millimeter-wave deployments have been slower to proliferate, initially plagued by propagation challenges and the cost of dense deployments of expensive large-scale arrays. However, we may be turning a corner, with the latest generations of gNodeBs, small cells, and CPEs showing impressive improvements in EIRP, DC power draw, sensitivity and cost. Initial indications show that the next 5 years will represent the true realization 5G millimeter-waves.
At the same time, millimeter-wave SATCOM has grown significantly in commercial interest in the last year or two, with lowered barriers to launching satellites and silicon RFIC technology progressing thanks to the investments made in 5G. There are still open questions of whether silicon beamformers are low-cost enough to enable ground terminals that can target consumer mass markets. The next decade will determine how widespread millimeter-wave SATCOM will be, and how SATCOM and 5G will work together to address the challenge of ubiquitous connectivity.
Meanwhile, academic research has started focusing on 6G, and there seems to be a consensus around exploring frequency bands beyond 100GHz. This talk will highlight some of the research topics being pursued at CubIC, the latest JUMP 2.0 center led by Columbia, including new architectures for large >100GHz arrays, heterogeneous integration of silicon and III-Vs, and analog and digital signal processing techniques that can overcome the challenges that plague millimeter-wave and sub-millimeter-wave systems.
12:00-13:30 Lunch Time Panel Session: Non-Terrestrial Networking
Panelists:
Ryan Stevenson, Kymeta
Jim Sowers, Maxar
13:30-14:00 Space Technology and Devices
Speaker: Ryan Jennings, Anokiwave
Title: "Connecting with Space"
Abstract: Exponential growth in demand for ubiquitous connectivity and continued explosion of 5G use cases will result in a network infrastructure that incorporates terrestrial 5G networks and multi-orbit constellations to increase the scale and scope of access to communications networks. NGSO (non-geostationary orbit) satellites will play a key part in extending cellular 5G networks to air, sea, and other remote areas not covered by small cell networks. In-Flight Connectivity, non-densely networked areas, 5G backhaul and defense applications are all driving the need for satellite connectivity for this ubiquitous communications. With the new NGSO constellations comes the requirement for agility in the user terminals. The antennas need to quickly point from horizon-to-horizon to switch between satellites as for example, a LEO satellite is only in view for only a few seconds to a few minutes. Active electronically scanned antennas (AESAs) are uniquely suited for this application as they can update their pointing angle in microseconds. Thus, the demand for AESAs is exponentially increasing to provide connectivity with these constellations.
14:00-14:20 Space Technology and Devices
Speaker: James Sower, MAXAR
Title: "Gallium Nitride MMIC Power Amplifiers for High Throughput Satellite Applications"
Abstract: There is a need for Solid State Power Amplifiers (SSPA’s) to be used in High Throughput Satellites (HTS) for commercial applications. Specifically, when the amount of information passed through the transponders, i.e. capacity, is determined mainly by the quantity of beams the satellite can generate. This application is well suited for SSPA’s over the conventional TWTA solution as they are smaller and lighter weight enabling a simplification of HTS payload architectures, higher density physical integration, and the ability to support active array transmit solutions all of which increases the quantity of beams and thus capacity. More specifically, Gallium Nitride (GaN) Power Amplifiers (PA’s) have shown the ability to generate high RF output power levels with small size and high efficiency thereby enabling step function improvement in capacity. This paper will describe a 20GHz fully space qualified GaN PA module developed for Ka-Band commercial satellite downlinks. The design techniques, test results, and screening regimen required to meet the demanding performance and reliability requirements will be given. The result is a 20GHz module with >55dB of gain, >10W of Pout, >30% peak PAE, and NPR >15dB. To the authors knowledge this is the best fully space-qualified module performance at this frequency published to date.
14:20-14:40 Space Technology and Devices
Speaker: Pascal Chevalier, ST Microelectronics
Title: "SiGe Speaks to the Sky"
Abstract: Exhibiting very steep growth, the deployment of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations is accompanied by a significant volume of user terminals (UT). Designed to track the satellites using phased-array antennas, UTs are key components and require the use of technologies optimized to meet performance targets and ready for consumer-like volumes.
This talk will discuss how Silicon Germanium (SiGe) BiCMOS, a long-standing technology at ST, addresses UT challenges thanks to its best-in-class performance in terms of noise figure, a key parameter as it directly links system performance with effective throughput.
We will look at how ST’s SiGe BiCMOS technology is used in the RF Front-End of several hundred elements per antenna. In addition to looking at the technology serving current UT production (B9MW), we will see what is being developed for the next generation of user terminals (B55X).
14:40-15:10 Heterogeneous Integration
Speaker: Ted Jones, QORVO
Title: "Heterogeneous Integration of RF Systems"
Abstract: Presentation will provide a review of current status of Heterogeneous Integration for RF Systems. Included in this presentation will be an update on the Department of Defense (DoD) State of the Art (SOTA) Heterogeneous Integrated Packaging (SHIP) RF program at Qorvo. The SHIP program is developing and validating a sustainable and scalable model for access to SOTA microelectronics RF packaging of customized DoD microelectronic devices produced using a standard commercial production flow. The SHIP-RF roadmap and status will be presented and will include Qorvo’s SOTA capabilities that are being incrementally developed and deployed via the SHIP-RF Design Center (DC) and the Assembly and Test Center (ATC).
15:10-15:40 PM Coffee Break
15:40-16:10 Test and Measurements
Speaker: Ben Coffin, Keysight
Title: "Sustainability in 6G: Driving Energy Efficiency in the Radio Access Network"
Abstract: The Radio Access Network (RAN) is a crucial component of mobile networks responsible for a significant portion of energy consumption. With the increasing need to reduce CO2 emissions and the scarcity of fossil fuel-based energy resources, energy savings have become a strategic topic for network operators. As we move closer to the advent of 6G, there is an opportunity to integrate energy efficiency optimizations into the standard from the beginning and leverage the advancements made in 5G to make 6G a sustainable wireless communication standard.
In recent years, the wireless communication industry has made significant strides towards energy efficiency optimizations in the RAN. Advances in technology, including Open RAN, network virtualization, and cloud-native architecture, have enabled network operators to leverage software-based optimizations to increase efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and lower operational costs. Furthermore, advancements in hardware design have made energy-efficient RAN components, such as power amplifiers and antenna systems, a reality. Despite these advancements, energy efficiency remains a challenge in the wireless communication industry. Network operators face significant pressure to reduce their carbon footprint, improve the sustainability of their operations, and meet stringent energy efficiency requirements set by governments and regulatory bodies. Moreover, the increasing demand for high-speed, low-latency communication services puts further pressure on network operators to optimize RANs for energy efficiency.
To address these challenges, network operators are approaching energy efficiency optimization from multiple angles. Radio front-end optimization for reducing power amplifier energy consumption and partnering with energy-efficient network equipment manufacturers is an early place to start. Others are leveraging data-driven insights to optimize network capacity, improve network planning, and reduce energy consumption. Additionally, standardization efforts, such as 3GPP, are focusing on energy efficiency optimization as a key requirement for the development of 5G and 6G standards.
The optimization of RANs for energy efficiency is a critical topic for the wireless communication industry. However, challenges remain, and network operators must continue to push the boundaries of energy efficiency optimization to meet the demands of the future. By integrating energy efficiency optimizations into the 6G standard from the start, and leveraging the advancements made in 5G, we can create a sustainable wireless communication standard that meets the needs of today's society and the planet.
14:10-16:40 Test and Measurements
Speaker: Dennis Lewis, Boeing
Title: "Recent Advances in Robotic Antenna Measurements"
Abstract: Traditional antenna test facilities are typically designed with a specific measurement application in mind, and as a result these facilities tend to be comprised of single fixed measurement geometry. However, modern antenna measurement ranges employing multi-axis robotic positioners provide a near limitless degree of re-configurability in terms of measurement types and scan geometries. This drives an ongoing need to evaluate each unique setup and application. This previously unimaginable flexibility offers new opportunities for the improvement of safety, measurement quality and reduction of measurement uncertainties. These new robotic systems are capable of acquiring large amounts of data allowing for the implementation of advanced post processing techniques. Model based Systems Engineering and development (MBSE/MBD) approaches can be employed to dramatically reduce the time, effort and cost associated with the test development and validation phases of a given program. MBSE tools can also be used to optimize test configurations to greatly reduce measurement uncertainties and simulate measurements. This presentation provides an overview of how these engineering techniques are being harnessed during the implementation of a new dual multi-axis robotic antenna test system.
14:40-17:10 Closing Speaker Panel
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