Magnonics meets micro-electro-mechanical systems: a new paradigm for communication technology and radio-frequency signal processing

The M&MEMS project aims at combining the tunability of magnonic systems with the power efficiency and the agility of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), thus empowering a new generation of devices for radio-frequency (RF) communication and microwave signal processing. The consortium brings together 7 EU research groups and 2 industrial partners with a broad range of leading expertise in the fields of magnonics, MEMS, material science and RF electronics. We will first optimize the individual magnonic and MEMS building blocks by simulations and experiments. Then MEMS actuator with permanent magnets will be integrated in standalone PCB demonstrators for the first time. Such M&MEMS chip, which have the capacity to disrupt the wafer-scale based hardware industries, will serve as the cornerstones of a new technology platform bringing spin-wave devices to a new level in terms of energy efficiency, agility, reconfigurability and footprint. Two analog RF electronic functions have been identified by our end-users: an agile-filter with potential application in the field of 5G communication and beyond (NOKIA) and a programmable phase shifter array, the building block of novel directional antenna (Thales). A dedicated Advisory Board (including Rohde & Schwarz and ST Microelectronics) will support the two end-users, having the mission to investigate other possible applications and eventually produce the Roadmap “Beyond M&MEMS”.