CIFRE Industrial PhD Offer – Millimeter-Wave Spatial Power Combining Architectures Enabled by Antenna Arrays
VIPER RF
Rennes
CIFRE Industrial PhD
- Company: VIPER RF France S.A.S. 35510 Cesson-Sévigné, France.
- Laboratory: IETR (Institut d’électronique et des technologies du numérique) UMR CNRS 6164 35000 Rennes, France.
Context:
Satcom links developments have experienced a strong growth in recent years, with the aim of providing high data-rate connectivity for various applications such as transmitting remote sensing data over down-links, or inter-satellite communications supporting constellations and future beyond-5G networks (“6G”). K-band operation has provided limited data-rates so far, thus operators are now considering transitioning towards the higher frequency carriers and larger spectrum available at V-band, W-band and D-band.
The development of high-power amplification stages is essential to meet the transmission link budget requirements, along with high gain antenna architectures. Payload integration presents additional challenges to the RF front-end, such as the requirement for reliable operation during the Mission (derating, low junction temperature), and low power consumption together with linear operation for high data-rates. In this context, it is particularly necessary to explore innovative power combining and directivity architectures, permitting to extract state-of-the-art performance based on the MMIC semiconductor technologies available today.
Objectives:
The objective of the proposed project is to study low loss combining architectures permitting the integration of a customized front-end circuit and antenna functions, leading to the manufacture and demonstration of a scalable prototype. The work will be carried out primarily at V-band or above.
The main activities of the project will involve the research, co-design and realisation of a front-end MMIC on a commercially available technology, together with the array-based radiating and power combining module. Subsequently, the doctoral student will contribute to the characterisation of the prototype through on-chip MMIC measurements, antenna measurements, and the global front-end testing.
Who we are:
Operating since 2008, VIPER RF develops and supplies highly integrated RF solutions for Space, Telecoms and Defence clients. The French subsidiary of VIPER RF is looking for a highly motivated doctoral student to support its growth and strengthen its position on the millimeter-wave systems market. You will be working within a collaborative and results-driven small development team.
IETR is a CNRS-affiliated public research laboratory with about 360 members with main expertise areas in antennas and electromagnetics, propagation and radar systems, digital communication, signal and image processing, and material science. You will be working in an international environment with leading experts in antenna systems at (sub-)millimeter waves and with outstanding experimental facilities to validate your proof-of-concept.
Candidate:
- Required education level: Master or equivalent degree in electrical engineering or physics
- Duration: 36 months – Start date: Oct-Nov 2025
- Required background: microwave engineering, antenna theory. Proficiency in written and spoken: English.
Application:
- Applications to be received as soon as possible.
- To apply please submit your CV with your motivation letter and any recommendation letter to the contact persons below.
Mr. Thomas LE TOUX
Email: [email protected]
VIPER RF France
Dr. David GONZÁLEZ OVEJERO
Email: [email protected]
IETR, CNRS, France
Prof. Ronan SAULEAU
Email: [email protected]
IETR, Université de Rennes, France