The National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering program (CFDA 47.041) has awarded a 5-year, $500,000 CAREER grant to the University of Texas at Austin to develop advanced radio-frequency front-end (RFFE) signal processing components using piezoelectric acoustic microsystems. The project aims to simplify RFFE complexity and enable superior wireless transceivers by creating compact, high-efficiency acoustic devices capable of operating at millimeter-wave frequencies. The key research thrusts include developing low-loss acoustic platforms, designing compact traveling-wave RFFE signal processing elements, and investigating adaptive tuning mechanisms for piezoelectric devices. This work seeks to drive further miniaturization of wireless hardware with lower power consumption, contributing to longer battery life and reduced energy usage. The project also integrates the research into undergraduate and graduate curricula, as well as K-12 outreach, to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Generated 3/18/25, 3:39 AM