1© Copyright Plasma Antennas Ltd 2014
Technology and
Products
Plasma Devices
and Conventional Technology
-
Technology Overview
© Copyright Plasma Antennas Ltd 2014 2
About us
• Founded 2001 by Dr David Hayes
with seed capital from Oxford
Technology Seedcorn VC
• Recognised as world leader in
advanced electronic beam-steering
antenna technologies based on 12
years of ground-breaking R&D
• Addressing large, high-growth
markets with breakthrough Plasma
technology combined with solid
revenues from existing
“conventional” products
• Work with BTS/Backhaul/Small Cell
Vendors and Government Security
& Defence organisations
Plasma Device with RF PCBs and Plasma Test Antenna
3© Copyright Plasma Antennas Ltd 2014
Markets Mobile Broadband Secure / Private Networks Homeland Security
Lower Cost / High
Volumes
Mid Price Range / Medium Volumes Wide-band / Low
Volumes
Example
Products
Access & Backhaul Ad hoc/Nomadic Operation Signal Monitoring / UWB Radar
Conventional Technology - Product Portfolio
4© Copyright Plasma Antennas Ltd 2014
PRODUCT FREQUENCY
OPTIONS
FOV TYPICAL
FEATURES
SP-2520 Dual Polar
Patch Array
Currently
5.3GHz to 5.8GHz
(other bands are possible)
±55°Az Floodlight
Independent
Beams
SP-4642 Dual Polar
Patch Array
Dual Band
Currently
Steered 2 to 3GHz or
3 to 4GHz
plus Fixed 5 to 6GHz
(other bands are possible)
±55°Az Floodlight
Simultaneous
Beam Version
SP-3540 Vertical Polar
Patch Array
Currently 4.4GHz to 5GHz
(other bands are possible)
±55°Az
±12°El
Floodlight
2D Scanning
Null Selection
RP-4210 Dual Polar
Vivaldi Array
Currently
Wideband 3GHz to 9GHz
9 to 26GHz
(other bands are possible)
±60°Az Floodlight
Independent
Beams
Electronically scanned planar arrays
FLOODLIGHT BEAM
DIRECTED BEAMS
5© Copyright Plasma Antennas Ltd 2014
PRODUCT FREQUENCY OPTIONS TYPICAL
FEATURES
SC-800 Dual Slant Polar Patch
Array
8+8 Directed Beams
+ Omni Mode
+ Multi-modal Beams
Currently 2 to 6GHz
(other bands are possible)
Independent Beams
Lower Cost
SC-1020 Dual Polar Patch Array
20 + 20 Directed Beams
+ Omni Mode
+ Multi-modal Beams
Currently 4 to 6GHz
(other bands are possible)
Independent Beams
Multiple beam
Version
DP-5459 Dual Polar Patch Array
20+20 Directed Beams
+ Omni Mode
+ Multi-modal Beams
Currently 4 to 6GHz
(other bands are possible)
Independent Beams
Null Selection
SC-1000 Vertical Polarisation
Amplified Tx/Rx Operation
12 Directed Beams
+ Omni Mode
Currently 5 to 6GHz
(other bands are possible)
Distributed Amplifiers
Active Gain
Electronically scanned cylindrical arrays
OMNI MODE
DIRECTED BEAMS
6© Copyright Plasma Antennas Ltd 2014
UWB Feeds
& Field Probes
UWB Low Noise
Front-ends
UWB Antennas
1 to 40 GHz+
2 to 40 GHz
Dual Polar Cross Vivaldi Horn
2 to 24 GHz, 24 to 40 GHz,
2 to 40 GHz Dual Channel
+ Selected Band Filtering
Electronically Scanned V&H
Mechanical Scanned Compact
Dish Surveillance Unit (not
shown)
Ultra-wideband Technologies –
Product Portfolio
7© Copyright Plasma Antennas Ltd 2014
• Lower Cost and Complexity
– Relative to alternative solutions of similar performance
• Lightweight, Compact and Reliable,
– No moving parts and highly integrated beam selection and beam forming
• Wide Instantaneous Bandwidth
– Time delay steered operation (not phase shifted) for wideband pencil beam operation
• Wide Frequency Coverage
– Technology applicable to bands within the 1GHz to 100GHz+ range
• Wide Electronically Steered Azimuth and Elevation Coverage
– Number and shape of directed beams can be tailored to meet specific system requirements
Typical Benefits
• Fast Beam Switching
– Possible within inter-packet/inter-pulse periods
• Adaptive Beam Shaping and Nulling
– Allows optimised beam footprints and maximization of SINR
• High CW RF Power Handling
– Operation with commercially available radio and radar front-ends
• Reciprocal Tx/Rx Operation
– Allows precise alignment of Tx and Rx beams without calibration (important in many civil and
military applications)
• Omni and Floodlight Beams
– Enables one to many broadcast modes to allow beam scheduling and synchronisation
8© Copyright Plasma Antennas Ltd 2014
• Fully custom antenna solutions
• Millimetre wave systems
• Microwave lenses
• UWB surveillance
• Controllable time delays, filters
• Novel semiconductor processes
• Satellite uplink, downlink and
inter-link
• UAV C2, Data and SAR
• Autonomous road vehicles
• Future telecoms infrastructure,
eg. 5G, NGMN
Research and development activities &
capabilities
9© Copyright Plasma Antennas Ltd 2014
Hyperbola
Silicon Lens
30GHz & 38 GHz Versions
Open Ellipse
Cylindrical Array
5 to 6 GHz Version
Closed Ellipse
Planar Array
7 to 9 GHz Version
Plasma
Silicon
Device
(PSiD)
Plasma
Silicon
Antenna
(PSiAn)
Plasma Silicon Technologies – Demonstrator Units
© Copyright Plasma Antennas Ltd 2014 10
Disruptive Features of Multi-beam
Antennas
• Unlike phased arrays most do not use Tx/Rx amplifiers
• Very low loss, highly linear switches with good power handling
• State-of-the-art azimuth/elevation beam-formers
• Time-delay steered and have wide instantaneous bandwidth
• Both FDD and TDD operation
• Replace fixed beam with higher gain electronically directed antennas
• Retain omni and floodlight beams for acquisition and broadcast
• Cylindrical antennas are lower gain and dual polar with 360 degree coverage
• Planar antennas are higher gain and dual polar with 120 degree coverage
The Plasma device technology, at a demonstrator level provides
– greater power handling
– many more beams (100s maybe 1000s)
– operate at higher frequencies
– cost less in high volumes
……it is a highly credible way forward for 5G and other wireless applications (e.g.
backhaul and ITS).
© Copyright Plasma Antennas Ltd 2014 11
Team
Executive
• Peter Curnow-Ford CE0
• Richard Keeton C00 and CT0
• Dr Ruth Harper VP Silicon Technology
• John Connolly Engineering Manager
Non-Executive
Clive Dolan Defence Systems
John Burrows Entrepreneur
Malcolm Thixton Financial Director
Dr. David Hayes, Founder and Chairman
Founder and Chairman of Plasma Antennas Limited, based in Winchester, England, where he
coordinates the company’s research and development of their multi-beam antennas for both civil and
defence applications. He has authored papers in the fields of telecommunications, antenna
technology, electronic warfare and radar and has been the invited speaker at various international
conferences. Currently, his areas of special interest include solid state plasma antennas, wide-band
antennas, smart antennas for future wireless networks and the efficient electromagnetic modelling of
antennas using optical ray tracing techniques. Dr. Hayes has held a variety of research posts,
including Chief Engineer, Microwave and Optics Group, Roke Manor Research Limited and Technical
Director, Elettronica UK Limited.
Venture Capital and Chief Advisor: Lucius Cary, Oxford Technology Management
© Copyright Plasma Antennas Ltd 2014 12
Contact Details:
Dr David Hayes, Peter Curnow-Ford and Richard Keeton
email: dh@plasmaantennas.com, pcf@plasmaantennas.com and rbk@plasmaaantennas.com
website: www.plasmaantennas.com
Tel: +44 (0) 1962 832 772
Basepoint Winchester
1 Winnall Valley Road
Winchester
Hampshire SO23 0LD
United Kingdom

Plasma Antenna Technology Overview

  • 1.
    1© Copyright PlasmaAntennas Ltd 2014 Technology and Products Plasma Devices and Conventional Technology - Technology Overview
  • 2.
    © Copyright PlasmaAntennas Ltd 2014 2 About us • Founded 2001 by Dr David Hayes with seed capital from Oxford Technology Seedcorn VC • Recognised as world leader in advanced electronic beam-steering antenna technologies based on 12 years of ground-breaking R&D • Addressing large, high-growth markets with breakthrough Plasma technology combined with solid revenues from existing “conventional” products • Work with BTS/Backhaul/Small Cell Vendors and Government Security & Defence organisations Plasma Device with RF PCBs and Plasma Test Antenna
  • 3.
    3© Copyright PlasmaAntennas Ltd 2014 Markets Mobile Broadband Secure / Private Networks Homeland Security Lower Cost / High Volumes Mid Price Range / Medium Volumes Wide-band / Low Volumes Example Products Access & Backhaul Ad hoc/Nomadic Operation Signal Monitoring / UWB Radar Conventional Technology - Product Portfolio
  • 4.
    4© Copyright PlasmaAntennas Ltd 2014 PRODUCT FREQUENCY OPTIONS FOV TYPICAL FEATURES SP-2520 Dual Polar Patch Array Currently 5.3GHz to 5.8GHz (other bands are possible) ±55°Az Floodlight Independent Beams SP-4642 Dual Polar Patch Array Dual Band Currently Steered 2 to 3GHz or 3 to 4GHz plus Fixed 5 to 6GHz (other bands are possible) ±55°Az Floodlight Simultaneous Beam Version SP-3540 Vertical Polar Patch Array Currently 4.4GHz to 5GHz (other bands are possible) ±55°Az ±12°El Floodlight 2D Scanning Null Selection RP-4210 Dual Polar Vivaldi Array Currently Wideband 3GHz to 9GHz 9 to 26GHz (other bands are possible) ±60°Az Floodlight Independent Beams Electronically scanned planar arrays FLOODLIGHT BEAM DIRECTED BEAMS
  • 5.
    5© Copyright PlasmaAntennas Ltd 2014 PRODUCT FREQUENCY OPTIONS TYPICAL FEATURES SC-800 Dual Slant Polar Patch Array 8+8 Directed Beams + Omni Mode + Multi-modal Beams Currently 2 to 6GHz (other bands are possible) Independent Beams Lower Cost SC-1020 Dual Polar Patch Array 20 + 20 Directed Beams + Omni Mode + Multi-modal Beams Currently 4 to 6GHz (other bands are possible) Independent Beams Multiple beam Version DP-5459 Dual Polar Patch Array 20+20 Directed Beams + Omni Mode + Multi-modal Beams Currently 4 to 6GHz (other bands are possible) Independent Beams Null Selection SC-1000 Vertical Polarisation Amplified Tx/Rx Operation 12 Directed Beams + Omni Mode Currently 5 to 6GHz (other bands are possible) Distributed Amplifiers Active Gain Electronically scanned cylindrical arrays OMNI MODE DIRECTED BEAMS
  • 6.
    6© Copyright PlasmaAntennas Ltd 2014 UWB Feeds & Field Probes UWB Low Noise Front-ends UWB Antennas 1 to 40 GHz+ 2 to 40 GHz Dual Polar Cross Vivaldi Horn 2 to 24 GHz, 24 to 40 GHz, 2 to 40 GHz Dual Channel + Selected Band Filtering Electronically Scanned V&H Mechanical Scanned Compact Dish Surveillance Unit (not shown) Ultra-wideband Technologies – Product Portfolio
  • 7.
    7© Copyright PlasmaAntennas Ltd 2014 • Lower Cost and Complexity – Relative to alternative solutions of similar performance • Lightweight, Compact and Reliable, – No moving parts and highly integrated beam selection and beam forming • Wide Instantaneous Bandwidth – Time delay steered operation (not phase shifted) for wideband pencil beam operation • Wide Frequency Coverage – Technology applicable to bands within the 1GHz to 100GHz+ range • Wide Electronically Steered Azimuth and Elevation Coverage – Number and shape of directed beams can be tailored to meet specific system requirements Typical Benefits • Fast Beam Switching – Possible within inter-packet/inter-pulse periods • Adaptive Beam Shaping and Nulling – Allows optimised beam footprints and maximization of SINR • High CW RF Power Handling – Operation with commercially available radio and radar front-ends • Reciprocal Tx/Rx Operation – Allows precise alignment of Tx and Rx beams without calibration (important in many civil and military applications) • Omni and Floodlight Beams – Enables one to many broadcast modes to allow beam scheduling and synchronisation
  • 8.
    8© Copyright PlasmaAntennas Ltd 2014 • Fully custom antenna solutions • Millimetre wave systems • Microwave lenses • UWB surveillance • Controllable time delays, filters • Novel semiconductor processes • Satellite uplink, downlink and inter-link • UAV C2, Data and SAR • Autonomous road vehicles • Future telecoms infrastructure, eg. 5G, NGMN Research and development activities & capabilities
  • 9.
    9© Copyright PlasmaAntennas Ltd 2014 Hyperbola Silicon Lens 30GHz & 38 GHz Versions Open Ellipse Cylindrical Array 5 to 6 GHz Version Closed Ellipse Planar Array 7 to 9 GHz Version Plasma Silicon Device (PSiD) Plasma Silicon Antenna (PSiAn) Plasma Silicon Technologies – Demonstrator Units
  • 10.
    © Copyright PlasmaAntennas Ltd 2014 10 Disruptive Features of Multi-beam Antennas • Unlike phased arrays most do not use Tx/Rx amplifiers • Very low loss, highly linear switches with good power handling • State-of-the-art azimuth/elevation beam-formers • Time-delay steered and have wide instantaneous bandwidth • Both FDD and TDD operation • Replace fixed beam with higher gain electronically directed antennas • Retain omni and floodlight beams for acquisition and broadcast • Cylindrical antennas are lower gain and dual polar with 360 degree coverage • Planar antennas are higher gain and dual polar with 120 degree coverage The Plasma device technology, at a demonstrator level provides – greater power handling – many more beams (100s maybe 1000s) – operate at higher frequencies – cost less in high volumes ……it is a highly credible way forward for 5G and other wireless applications (e.g. backhaul and ITS).
  • 11.
    © Copyright PlasmaAntennas Ltd 2014 11 Team Executive • Peter Curnow-Ford CE0 • Richard Keeton C00 and CT0 • Dr Ruth Harper VP Silicon Technology • John Connolly Engineering Manager Non-Executive Clive Dolan Defence Systems John Burrows Entrepreneur Malcolm Thixton Financial Director Dr. David Hayes, Founder and Chairman Founder and Chairman of Plasma Antennas Limited, based in Winchester, England, where he coordinates the company’s research and development of their multi-beam antennas for both civil and defence applications. He has authored papers in the fields of telecommunications, antenna technology, electronic warfare and radar and has been the invited speaker at various international conferences. Currently, his areas of special interest include solid state plasma antennas, wide-band antennas, smart antennas for future wireless networks and the efficient electromagnetic modelling of antennas using optical ray tracing techniques. Dr. Hayes has held a variety of research posts, including Chief Engineer, Microwave and Optics Group, Roke Manor Research Limited and Technical Director, Elettronica UK Limited. Venture Capital and Chief Advisor: Lucius Cary, Oxford Technology Management
  • 12.
    © Copyright PlasmaAntennas Ltd 2014 12 Contact Details: Dr David Hayes, Peter Curnow-Ford and Richard Keeton email: dh@plasmaantennas.com, pcf@plasmaantennas.com and rbk@plasmaaantennas.com website: www.plasmaantennas.com Tel: +44 (0) 1962 832 772 Basepoint Winchester 1 Winnall Valley Road Winchester Hampshire SO23 0LD United Kingdom