Research

The iNcs2 research group conducts research in the general areas of RF and millimeter-wave (mmWave) circuits and systems for wireless communications, imaging, and radar applications. Specific research topics include phased-array transceivers, software-defined radios, N-path filters, 6G communications and sensing, digital beamforming, built-in self-test and calibration, mmWave imagers, MIMO radar, AI approaches to RF design, 3D heterogeneous integration, and wireless technology for UAVs.

List of current sponsored research projects:

1. Scalable Antenna-in-Package Approaches Supporting Heterogeneous Integrated Arrays
   Sponsor: Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC)
   Dates: 2024-2026
2. RINGs: WISECOM–Wireless Integrated Sensing, Learning & Communication Networks
   Sponsor: NSF
   Dates: 2022-2025 (joint with Profs. Gonzalez-Prelcic & Heath)
3. Energy-Synchronous Direct Antenna Modulation Transmitters
   Sponsor: IARPA
   Dates: 2022-2026 (joint with Profs. Adams & Bhattacharya)
4. Millimeter-Wave Arrays: Design, Test, and Calibration
   Sponsor: Analog Devices Inc. (ADI)
   Dates: 2014-2025
5. AERPAW: Aerial Experimentation and Research Platform for Advanced Wireless
   Sponsor: PAWR Project Office and NSF
   Dates: 2019-present (joint with Profs. Guvenc, Sichitiu, & Dutta)

List of completed research projects:

1. EPIC: Extendable phased-array Platform ICs
   Sponsor: Army STTR Phase 1 and 2, MaXentric Technologies
   Dates: 2020-2024
2. CoMET: Code-Modulated Embedded Test of Multifunctional Arrays
   Sponsor: Texas Instruments
   Dates: 2019-2024
3. MIDAS: Tunable RF to Millimeter-Wave Receivers and Filters
   Sponsor: DARPA
   Dates: 2018-2022
4. Multi-Modal Communications for Reliable UAV and UGV Connectivity
   Sponsor: Analog Devices Inc. (ADI) through BWAC
   Dates: 2021-2022 (joint with Profs. Guvenc & Sichitiu)
5. High Dimensional Optimization and Inverse Methods for Electronic Design
   Sponsor: CAEML
   Dates: 2021-2022 (joint with Prof. Franzon)
6. Intellectual Property Re-use through Machine Learning
   Sponsor: NSF I/UCRC, Center for Advanced Electronics and Machine Learning (CAEML)
   Dates: 2017-2019 (joint with Prof. Franzon)
7. W-band Imaging System Using Repurposed Communication and Radar Chipsets
   Sponsor: Army SBIR Phase 1 and 2, MaXentric Technologies
   Dates: 2015-2019
8. EARS: Compact Adaptive MIMO Receivers
   Sponsor: NSF
   Dates: 2013-2019 (joint with Profs. Hughes & Adams)
9. EPIC: Extendable phased-array Platforms In Silicon
   Sponsor: DARPA
   Dates: 2016-2018 (joint with Prof. Ricketts)
10. STTR Phase 1,2,2B: Fully-Integrated Universal Channel-Selection Filters
    Sponsor: NSF and Physical Devices LLC
    Dates: 2012-2018
11. Radios and Arrays for 5G Millimeter-Wave Systems
    Sponsor: Integrated Device Technologies (IDT)
    Dates: 2017-2018
12. Radio Design for 5G Mobile Millimeter-Wave Broadband
    Sponsor: Samsung
    Dates: 2012-2017
13. Built-In Test for Power-Efficient mmWave Phased Arrays
    Sponsor: Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC)
    Dates: 2011-2014
14. Imaging with Repurposed arrays In Silicon (IRIS)
    Sponsor: NCSU Chancellor’s Innovation Award
    Dates: 2015-2016
15. Imaging using Reconfigurable millimeter-wave phased arrays In Silicon (IRIS)
    Sponsor: DARPA Young Faculty Award
    Dates: 2011-2014
16. Advanced Silicon Circuits and Systems for mmWave Vehicular Radar
    Sponsor: AKM Semiconductor
    Dates: 2011-2014
17. Efficient Linearized All Silicon Transmitters
    Sponsor: DARPA and MIT
    Dates: 2013-2014 (joint with Prof. Ricketts)
18. DIVA: D-band Integrated with V-band Architecture for sub-THz wireless communications
    Sponsor: Army and MaXentric Technologies
    Dates: 2011-2012
19. IBM Faculty Award
    Sponsor: IBM
    Dates: 2015-2016