The first phase of testing and characterization of UM’s first smart antenna RFIC (Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit) was successfully completed. This project is funded by the Science and Technology Development Fund and the research team is led by Prof. Tam Kam Weng from the Wireless Communication Laboratory of the Faculty of Science and Technology. The main objective of this project is to utilize RF microelectronic technologies in wireless networks for flexible antenna signal coverage control. Traditionally, such kind of control is achieved by phase shift in high frequency and this indeed brings the lingering doubts of system complexity and cost. The developed RFIC uses novel techniques to realize the coverage control via low frequency phase shift, and this is capable of reducing the cost of the expensive cabling in wireless network. Because of the flexible signal controllability, the proposed smart antenna system can also relieve the residents’ worries about radiation safety.

In January, two postgraduate students of the research team – Jeff Chiang Ka Hing and Eddie Chiang Chun Pong – tested the smart antenna system at the City University of Hong Kong (CityU). Based on their findings, Prof. Chan Chi Hou, Dean of Faculty of Science and Engineering of CityU and the Fellow of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), claimed that the quality of their works outreaches the international level. Moreover, they had introduced their research to Dr. Chou Chung Kwang and he has affirmed its practicability and contribution to the area of mobile communication radiation safety. Dr. Chou is the Chief Scientist of EME (Electromagnetic Environment), Director of Motorola’s EME Research Laboratory and the IEEE Fellow.

Caption : FST students Jeff (left), Eddie (right) and Prof. Chan Chi-Hou.