This $360,000 Project Grant awarded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering program (CFDA 47.041) to Baylor University aims to develop a semiconductor plasma phased array system with the ability to dynamically reconfigure its antenna radiators. The key objectives are to:
Develop the plasma phased array focusing on the feed network solutions, and
Create fast AI/ML-supported algorithms to enable real-time mapping between the desired system performance metrics (e.g. frequency, bandwidth, beam pattern) and the corresponding antenna radiator configuration.
The project will demonstrate the capacity to directly control the radiator geometry and properties using light-activated plasma pixel elements. This innovative approach enables nearly arbitrary shaping of the antenna radiation pattern to optimize performance in dynamically changing spectrum environments. The research seeks to advance wireless systems and spectrum utilization by increasing flexibility and adaptability. The award term is from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027.