MIA - Millimeterwave Measurement System for Industrial Applications

Communication, radar, and sensor technology will be an important driver of innovation in industrial applications over the coming decades. The signal frequencies in use are moving rapidly upward. This is partly because at higher frequencies the scarce resource of “radio spectrum” is still available, and partly because higher frequencies enable the development of very broadband systems. Such systems are required for transmitting large amounts of data within short transmission times (and therefore with low latency), as well as for high-resolution radar and sensing. In addition, the millimeter-wave range is of great interest for materials investigations, non-destructive testing, and other applications.

To participate in technological developments toward higher frequencies, measurement technology is needed beyond the current 40 GHz limit available at Clausthal University of Technology. The research infrastructure comprises two core elements: (1) frequency-range extensions for network analysis in frequency bands relevant to industrial applications, up to 400 GHz; and (2) in parallel, providing broadband usable signals or specialized signal forms (with a channel bandwidth of 30 GHz) up to 500 GHz.

This makes it possible to identify industrial applications in which millimeter-wave technology has so far not been used. The focus is on demonstration of the feasibility, especially in the context of the Circular Economy, i.e., for optimizing industrial processes, in the raw materials sector, and in robotics.