NGK, known for ceramic materials, has developed a novel process that combines silicon with quartz glass. This material innovation enables lower losses and higher energy efficiency compared to conventional silicon-based solutions and is therefore a sustainable approach for future communication and radar systems.
In the first phase of the cooperation, Fraunhofer IZM investigated the wafer bonding technology developed by NGK with regard to the development of innovative, particularly broadband sub-THz antennas. These were manufactured directly on wafers, separated and optimized for use in 6G radio systems. “By combining quartz glass and silicon in an optimized wafer bonding process, high-performance broadband antennas with high efficiency and front-end modules for future 6G networks and sub-THz radar systems can be realized,” explains Prof. Dr. Ivan Ndip from Fraunhofer IZM.
Building on the success of this first phase, NGK launched a second phase of collaboration with Fraunhofer IZM and Fraunhofer FHR. The aim is to develop a high-resolution D-band sub-THz radar system using NGK’s quartz glass bonded wafer technology, which is particularly suitable for applications in vehicle interiors (in-cabin sensing). A radar MMIC chip developed by Fraunhofer FHR is combined with an ultra-wideband antenna array from Fraunhofer IZM in the radar front-end. The radar front-end will then be used to build and test a radar system demonstrator.
NGK emphasizes: “The collaboration with Fraunhofer IZM and Fraunhofer FHR has enabled us to research and further develop our material technology in completely new fields of application.” A joint patent is pending to further advance the technology and enable future-proof high-frequency solutions for 6G and radar.
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Further links
👉 www.izm.fraunhofer.de
Photo: Fraunhofer IZM
