The SERENA project aims to:

1. extend the limits of mainstream semiconductor technologies by developing a low-cost and high-performance (high-power and high-efficiency) hybrid integration platform for mm-wave Systems,
2. develop a GaN-on-Silicon cost- and power efficient mm-wave 5G beam-steering system as a proof-of-concept for future key markets (mm-wave 5G wireless communication systems and radars for autonomous vehicles), and
3. accept the challenge to bring into production high performance mm-wave active antenna systems, at a commercially viable price-point and low energy consumption.

Motivation

The SERENA project proposes an innovative technology enabling high-power and high-efficiency through the integration of Gallium Nitride on Silicon (GaN-on-Si) semiconductor technology offering unprecedented efficiency and output power 10 times more than SiGe/CMOS.

Compared with state-of-the-art the SERENA architecture and platform will bring the following system level advancements

• increased energy Efficiency
• size reduction
• cost reduction
• significant reduction in design time/complexity
• increased transmitter output power
• reduction of power consumption
• increased wireless area capacity (bit/s/km2)

Concept

To reach the project goals a system architecture and technology platform will be developed by using an integrated approach. Further, SERENA will combine advancements in hybrid analogue/digital mm wave beam steering system architectures with a completely European based semiconductor supply chain. Finally, the project team will foster an inter-disciplinary design approach with a strong emphasis on multi-physics simulations and predictive co-design to show the unique capabilities of the SERENA Technology.

Objectives

To reach the project goals a system architecture and technology platform will be developed by using an integrated approach. Further, SERENA will combine advancements in hybrid analogue/digital mm wave beam steering system architectures with a completely European based semiconductor supply chain. Finally, the project team will foster an inter-disciplinary design approach with a strong emphasis on multi-physics simulations and predictive co-design to show the unique capabilities of the SERENA technology.

The SERENA project aims to reach the following objectives.

• Objective 1: Development of a hybrid analogue/digital beam forming architecture and integration platform for high-performance and low-cost mm-wave Systems.
• Objective 2: Visualization of the SERENA architecture and integration platform performance in a proof-of-concept mm-wave electronic beamforming system for 5G mm-wave radio access operating in the 37 GHz to 41 GHz band.
• Objective 3: Development of a hybrid analogue/digital processing architecture for beamforming systems with the simultaneous benefit energy efficiency maximization and cost minimization.
• Objective 4: Study performances, including applications such as E-band point-to-point high-speed radio links and W-band short-range radar sensors for autonomous vehicles to ensure that the SERENA platform is scalable up to 100 GHz.
• Objective 5: Development a predictive design of tightly integrated mm-wave and digital processing Systems.