The research activity of the RFCAL group (Radio-Frequency Circuits and Antenna design Laboratory) takes place both in the Bologna and Cesena sites with different synergies. The group carries out basic and applied research as part of the third mission by interacting with various companies in the area.
The research topics consist of:
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Electromagnetic and circuit design of miniaturized radio-frequency and millimeter wave systems integrated with the antennas and made on both traditional and innovative substrates (such as eco-compatible materials, fabrics, etc.) for IoT and wearable applications in industrial and e-Health fields.
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Innovative battery-free radio systems exploiting both single-band and multi-band RF energy harvesting techniques that enable the energy autonomy of wireless sensors used in industrial automation and localization.
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Wireless systems and technologies for simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) at far distances, adopting both hybrid and monolithic distance solutions.
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Wireless power transmission systems for both static and moving components and machineries, exploiting near-field (by means of inductive and capacitive coupling) and far-field techniques, for different power levels (from a few mW to kW) and operating frequency, aimed at industrial and biomedical applications.
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Analysis and design of advanced and highly reconfigurable radiant systems using time modulation and frequency diversity techniques applied to the radiating elements (TMA and FDA).
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Development of algorithms for the analysis and the circuit/electromagnetic design of entire radio-frequency/millimeter wave links.
The research activity is supported by an intense experimental activity, carried out mainly in the laboratories of the Bologna and Cesena.
The RFCAL group has already shown its contributions to the activities of the third mission by exploiting the results of the research indicated above in various fields of industrial research, also demonstrated through joint patents.
Some of the most important third mission activities activated in recent years are presented below:
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High Apprenticeship Doctorate supported by IMA S.p.A.
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Industrial Doctorate in collaboration with Alstom Ferroviaria S.p.A.
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High training school in systems engineering for integrated mobility organized by Professors Alessandra Costanzo and Diego Masotti and financially supported by the most important companies in the transport sector: Gruppo Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, Alstom Ferroviaria, Finsoft, SADEL - Almaviva Group, SITE and TPER, with the patronage of the Emilia-Romagna region and the Municipality of Bologna. The fifth edition of the school will be held in the academic year 2021/2022 and as a result of this initiative, more than 100 recruitments of young engineers have been realized.
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Innovative research activity with RFI S.p.A. in collaboration with the advanced research center on electronic systems for information and telecommunication engineering "Ercole De Castro" - ARCES.
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University partner for the project of an innovative railway signaling system coordinated by SADEL and financed by the Emilia-Romagna region.
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HABITAT project for ambient-assisted living and home assistance in collaboration with CIRI-ICT, CIRI-SDV, TekneHub, ASC InSieme, Romagna Tech and with the involvement of the companies CTE International, Ergotek, UNISET, wiMAN, U-Watch, mHealthTechnologies.
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Industrial project financed by G.D S.p.A. for the creation of predictive maintenance wireless systems in the context of Industry 4.0.
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Development of item-level tagging for large-scale distributions within the framework of WeFarma project funded by MiTi S.p.A.
ERC Fields
- PE2_6 - Electromagnetism
- PE7_6 - Communication technology, high-frequency technology
Scientific coordinator: Prof. Alessandra Costanzo