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The range of mm-wave radio communications is severely constrained by high losses arising from the short wavelength and from atmospheric attenuation. Large phased arrays can overcome these limitations, but it is very difficult to realize them using present monolithic beamsteering IC architectures. We propose an alternative architecture for large monolithic phased arrays. The beam is steered in altitude and in azimuth by separately imposing vertical and horizontal phase gradients. This choice reduces IC complexity, making large arrays feasible. Since extensive digital processing provides robust amplitude control and reduces die area, the LOs are processed as digital signals. Being very sensitive to compression, the IF signals are processed as analog signals and distributed by means of synthetic transmission-line buses. With careful frequency planning, this mixed-signal approach can allow large phased arrays to operate at frequencies much higher than those achievable with pure analog design.

The recent developments in mmWave and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies have dramatically increased the interest and demand for radio frequency (RF) devices that can be used for applications such as smart cities, energy harvesting, and ubiquitous wireless sensor networks. Additive manufacturing technologies (AMT) plays an important role to support these applications, as they allows to significantly reduce fabrication costs and times while enabling the achievement of devices with more complex geometries and the possibility of using a wide variety of materials. This publication reviews recent developments of state-of-the-art wireless devices including reconfigurable antennas, frequency-selective surfaces and highly scalable phased arrays enabled by AMT capabilities. It also discusses the benefits of AMT in the fabrication of interconnects that are suitable for packaging of fully-integrated antennas.

This review encompasses additive manufacturing techniques for crafting 5G electronics, showcasing how these methods innovate device creation with novel examples. A wearable phased array device on commonplace 3D printed material is described, with integrated microfluidic cooling channels used for thermal regulation of integrated circuit bulk components. Mechanical and electrical tunability are exemplified in an origami-inspired phased array structure. A 3D printed IoT cube structure shows the flexibility in the number of geometries additively manufactured 5G devices can adhere to. Finally, integrating 3D optical lenses with 5G electronics is shown.

The recent developments in mmWave and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies have dramatically increased the interest and demand for radio frequency (RF) devices that can be used for applications such as smart cities, energy harvesting, and ubiquitous wireless sensor networks. Additive manufacturing technologies (AMT) plays an important role to support these applications, as they allows to significantly reduce fabrication costs and times while enabling the achievement of devices with more complex geometries and the possibility of using a wide variety of materials. This publication reviews recent developments of state-of-the-art wireless devices including reconfigurable antennas, frequency-selective surfaces and highly scalable phased arrays enabled by AMT capabilities. It also discusses the benefits of AMT in the fabrication of interconnects that are suitable for packaging of fully-integrated antennas.

This review encompasses additive manufacturing techniques for crafting 5G electronics, showcasing how these methods innovate device creation with novel examples. A wearable phased array device on commonplace 3D printed material is described, with integrated microfluidic cooling channels used for thermal regulation of integrated circuit bulk components. Mechanical and electrical tunability are exemplified in an origamiinspired phased array structure. A 3D printed IoT cube structure shows the flexibility in the number of geometries additively manufactured 5G devices can adhere to. Finally, integrating 3D optical lenses with 5G electronics is shown.

The range of mm-wave radio communications is severely constrained by high losses arising from the short wavelength and from atmospheric attenuation. Large phased arrays can overcome these limitations, but it is very difficult to realize them using present monolithic beamsteering IC architectures. We propose an alternative architecture for large monolithic phased arrays. The beam is steered in altitude and in azimuth by separately imposing vertical and horizontal phase gradients. This choice reduces IC complexity, making large arrays feasible. Since extensive digital processing provides robust amplitude control and reduces die area, the LOs are processed as digital signals. Being very sensitive to compression, the IF signals are processed as analog signals and distributed by means of synthetic transmission-line buses. With careful frequency planning, this mixed-signal approach can allow large phased arrays to operate at frequencies much higher than those achievable with pure analog design.