ANTENNA AND MICROWAVE
LABORATORY
Research
and
Innovation
EM Simulation
and
Optimization
Prototyping
and
Measuring
ANTENNA AND MICROWAVE
LABORATORY
The mission
To teach and promote creative research in
modern electromagnetics, antennas, sensors
and microwave power applications by addressing
the needs of industry, government agencies and
scientific community
ANTENNA AND MICROWAVE
LABORATORY
Facilities
LAM is equipped with ANA (Automatic Network Analyzer), MW/RF sources, amplifiers, power meters and sensors, oscilloscopes and standard electronic equipments.
The most advanced EM and MW circuit simulators (FEKO, ENSEMBLE, CST, MW OFFICE, ADS, Proprietary EM CAD Framework) are used for the design and optimization.
A small anechoic chamber dedicated to teaching and research
activities occupies one part of the Lab. Microwave circuits and planar passive/active antenna prototypes are fabricated using a computer controlled milling machine.
ANTENNA AND MICROWAVE
LABORATORY
National and international collaborations
ASI (Agenzia Spaziale Italiana) and ESA (European Space Agency)
Planar antennas and conformal arrays for space applications
Universities of Siena and Messina
Antennas, Radar systems and Periodic Band-gap Structures
IFA (Istituto di Fisica Applicata, CNR)
EM modelling of composite materials and dielectric spectroscopy
Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, NH, USA
Interstitial applicators for tissue thermal ablation (surgery)
Laboratoire d’Electromagnetique, Université de Nice-Antipolis, France
Wideband antennas and sensors for GPR applications
Radiation Oncology Department, University of California at San Francisco, USA
ANTENNA AND MICROWAVE
LABORATORY
Industrial collaborations
Galileo Avionica Spa – polarization agile radar antennas
Contraves Spa – PLL MMW sources (95 GHz) and wet antenna modelling ASK Industries Spa – automotive antennas
Compel Spa – MMW planar arrays for LMDS systems
Centro Laser Spa – microwave sensors for industrial applications Cristini Spa – microwave sensors for felt moisture monitoring
Saima Spa – microwave and MMW imaging
Colorobbia Spa – microwave ovens for high-temperature ceramic/nanoparticles sintering
ANTENNA AND MICROWAVE
LABORATORY
Microwave antenna research topics
Research activity covers topics addressing both radar and communications applications
9 SAR planar polarization agile arrays 9 Conformal array antennas
9 High gain X band hybrid feed antennas for surface radars 9 Compact and miniaturized antennas
9 UWB planar antennas 9 Automotive antennas
ANTENNA AND MICROWAVE
LABORATORY
A. Vallecchi and G. Biffi Gentili , “Design of dual-polarized series-fed microstrip arrays with low losses and high polarization purity,”IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1791-1798, May 2005.
ANTENNA AND MICROWAVE
LABORATORY
A. Vallecchi and G. Biffi Gentili, “Broad band full scan coverage
polarization agile spherical conformal array antennas: pseudo-uniform vs. pseudo-random element arrangements,” 2003 IEEE International Symposium on Phased Array Systems and Technology, Oct. 14-17, 2003, Boston, Massachusetts.
ANTENNA AND MICROWAVE
LABORATORY
Millimeter wave planar dual layer array for LMDS systems (Under Compel Spa research contract)
ANTENNA AND MICROWAVE
LABORATORY
G. Garfagnini, M. Cerretelli, R. Serenelli, G. Biffi Gentili, “Dual Circularly Polarized Radial Line Slot Antenna,” Quaderni di Elettromagnetismo Applicato (SIEm), to appear
ANTENNA AND MICROWAVE
LABORATORY
Radiation pattern of a FM multiwire antenna embedded inside the Ferrari M137 rear window
ANTENNA AND MICROWAVE
LABORATORY
G. Biffi Gentili, M. Cerretelli, L. Cecchi, “Coated Conical Antenna for Automotive Application”, Journal of Electromagnetic Waves and Applications, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 85-97, January 2004.
M. Cerretelli, G. Biffi Gentili, “A new compact multi-band folded polygonal monopole for
automotive application”, ARP 2004: The IASTED International Conference on Antennas, Radar, and Wave Propagation, Banff, AB, Canada, July 8-10, 2004.
ANTENNA AND MICROWAVE
LABORATORY
Microwave Sensor research topics
Research activity covers topics addressing industrial, scientific, medical and environmental heritage sensing needs
9 Microwave aquametry 9 Dielectric spectroscopy
9 Surface and sub-surface planar sensors 9 High temperature microwave sensors 9 Near-field anisotropy sensors
9 Sensor-MUT electromagnetic interaction modeling 9 Material moisture sensing
9 Calibration and inversion techniques 9 Smart sensor networks
ANTENNA AND MICROWAVE
LABORATORY
G. Biffi Gentili, C. Riminesi, N. Sottani, “Full-wave modeling of microwave planar reflection sensors for material moisture testing,” Special Issue on “Subsurface Sensing Technologies and Applications”, International Journal on Microwave and Millimeter Wave Non-destructive Evaluation, 2, 4, pp. 453-470, October 2001.
ANTENNA AND MICROWAVE
LABORATORY
Reflection microwave TEM Cell Sensor for ceramic materials characterization at very high temperatures
(Under Colorobbia Spa research contract)
Cooling air flow
High temperature ceramic sample Heating volume
M. Linari, G. Biffi Gentili, G. Baldi, “A new microwave sensor for measuring dielectric properties of materials at high temperature”, Atti 2° MISA 2004, p. 24, October 2004.
ANTENNA AND MICROWAVE
LABORATORY
Near field cavity-backed meander slot Sensor (sub-surface planar sensor) Evanescent field microstrip ring sensor
(surface planar sensor)
G. Avitabile, G. Biffi Gentili, N. Sottani, “A rugged active sensor for microwave aquametry,” Microwave Symposium Digest, 2001 IEEE MTT-S International, Phoenix, Arizona, USA, May 20-25, 2001, vol. 3, pp. 2259 -2262.
M. Cerretelli, C. Riminesi, N. Sottani, G. Biffi Gentili, “Slot Sensor for Moisture Content Measurement of Thin Materials,” 6th International Workshop on Finite Elements for Microwave Engineering-Antennas, Circuits and Devices, Chios, Grecee, May 30-June 1, 2002.
ANTENNA AND MICROWAVE
LABORATORY
Microwave and RF Hyperthermia research topics
Research activity covers topics addressing microwave applicator modeling and optimization, RF heating of biological tissues and temperature monitoring
9 Loco-regional microwave applicators 9 Endocavitary microwave applicators
9 Minimally invasive microwave interstitial applicators 9 RF magnetic applicators
9 Magnetic nanoparticles assisted hyperthermia 9 Magnetic targeting
ANTENNA AND MICROWAVE
LABORATORY
2 m m 65 m mG. Biffi Gentili, M. Cerretelli, I. Longo, N. Tosoratti, “A Coaxial Antenna with Miniaturized Choke for Minimally Invasive Interstitial Heating”, IEEE Trans. On Biomedical Engineering, vol. 50, no. 1, pp.82-88, January 2003.
Longitudinal section SAR distribution TISSUE Applicator Catheter Anchor Balloon
ANTENNA AND MICROWAVE
LABORATORY
Applicator Catheter Anchor Balloon Transponder TISSUEM. Linari, G. Garfagnini, G. Biffi Gentili, “Implantable micro-transponder system for measuring tissue temperature during hyperthermic treatments: a feasibility study”, Atti XV RiNEm, pp. 165-168, sett. 2004.
Applicator Catheter Anchor Balloon Thermocouple TISSUE Temperature monitoring
ANTENNA AND MICROWAVE
LABORATORY
SAR distribution
ANTENNA AND MICROWAVE
LABORATORY
Applicator Design Numerical results Measured results Applicator with bolus for radiofrequency physiotherapy
ANTENNA AND MICROWAVE
LABORATORY
Ferrite Core Applicators for Magnetic
Nanoparticles Assisted RF Hyperthermia Magnetic field
UI type Ferrite Core
µ = 100 Dimensions:
28 x 30 x 104 mm3
Ring type Ferrite Core
µ = 100 Dimensions: 104 / 74 /30 mm
ANTENNA AND MICROWAVE
LABORATORY
Microwave heating research topics
Research activity has been focused on the EM and thermal modeling of industrial high power microwave heating processes
9 Granular ceramic materials EM modeling 9 High temperature dielectric spectroscopy
