Background and Motivation
This research project is a strategic effort to increase the knowledge of the next generation of EMC requirements and possibilities in the context of two important and ongoing technology trends: the pervasive computing revolution, also known as Internet of Things (IoT), and new production methods, known as additive manufacturing. There is a need for understanding the new EMC environment and the requirements of electronics and embedded systems, which will follow in the footprints of the pervasive computing revolution. The pervasiveness of embedded systems, smart objects and IoT will be fulfilled by using the next generation of building and production practice. One of the most interesting emerging technologies in this context is additive manufacturing (3D printing) which has the potential to realize extreme integration of electronics and embedded systems.
Research Problem and Approach
The proposed research project is built around the EMC challenge of next generation embedded systems where high end research meets industrial best practice and innovation of new production methods and use of new materials. The focus is to conduct a comprehensive assessment, from an EMC perspective, of using additive manufacturing for integrating embedded electronics. The electromagnetic properties of the materials used in additive manufacturing are to be investigated, examples of important material parameters are: granularity, conductivity, permittivity, and permeability. Different additive production processes may provide varying structure granularity, spatial resolution, and a wide range of materials. However, there is a lack of standardized specifications for mechanical as well as electromagnetic properties enabling a good prediction on how manufactured parts will perform. To increase the opportunities of innovation in the area of additive manufacturing the following research questions have been formulated:
- How can we provide the necessary knowledge and control of processes, structures, and materials used in additive manufacturing to produce commercially useable devices?
- What electromagnetic properties do additive manufacturing provide, and does it provide new features usable for further integration of embedded electronics while sustaining EMC performance? What possibilities are there for extreme integration of electronic components, like antennas, for future wireless systems by applying additive manufacturing?
Goals
Besides the goal of achieving answers to the research questions, secondary goals of the project are: develop or improve laboratory measurement methods and models that more accurately reflect new requirements related to the pervasive computing vision; and develop best practice and recommendations for implementing these techniques into new EMC test standards. Accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing and 3D printing technologies in the electronics sector and to increase competitiveness.
