Developed world’s first wafer-integrated 6G Antenna: STARE

​Enabled simultaneous fabrication of antenna and RF switch using semiconductor processes

​Anticipated applications in satellite communications, 6G, and AI data centers

▲ (From left) Researchers Jinhyun Kim, Byeongjin Kim, Minkyu Park, Jeongtaek Oh and Professor Jungsuek Oh of the ECE Department at Seoul National University

▲ Concept diagram of the wafer-integrated 6G antenna, STARE, integrating antennas and RF switches on a semiconductor wafer. It illustrates various application areas, such as satellite communications and autonomous driving.

▲ Infographic comparing conventional variable elements for RIS with the SOD developed by the research team in terms of response speed, cost, and packaging method. SOD is advantageous for miniaturization and low-cost mass production due to its fast response and embedded structure.

Simultaneous implementation of antenna and RF switch within a wafer

​A research team led by Professor Jungsuek Oh from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Seoul National University’s College of Engineering has developed STARE, the world’s first wafer-integrated 6G beamforming antenna. This breakthrough technology simultaneously fabricates both the antenna and the RF semiconductor switch—which controls the propagation direction—on a single wafer. 

​Previously, antennas and RF semiconductor switches had to be manufactured separately and undergo an additional assembly process. In contrast, STARE implements both functions within a single semiconductor process, reducing the burden of protruding parts and assembly, and laying the groundwork for cheaper mass production of 6G antennas. 

Transitioning from assembled RIS to a "semiconductor-integrated device"

In 6G and satellite communications, a large number of antennas must swiftly and precisely direct radio waves toward users. To achieve this, Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS), which reflect or transmit radio waves in desired directions, are drawing attention as a core technology. 

​However, conventional RIS relies on a method of attaching radio wave control components, such as liquid crystals or individual diodes, to the antenna one by one. As the number of antennas increased, so did the components, wiring, and assembly processes. This drove up manufacturing costs, posing an obstacle for their application in large-scale communication systems.

STARE, developed by the research team, is not an assembled device where wave control components are attached to a completed antenna, but a "semiconductor-integrated device" where both the antenna and the RF semiconductor switch are created together within the wafer. The team established a design method that implements semiconductor devices and antennas—which were traditionally designed using completely different methods—into a single unified system.

​Furthermore, without using expensive through-wafer processes, they implemented a planar structure that transmits radio waves using the magnetic coupling that occurs between the structures on both sides of the wafer. This allows for the precise control of radio wave direction while maintaining a thin form factor with no protruding components. 

Proposing a universal manufacturing platform for 6G and satellite communications 

The significance of this research lies in the fact that it did not stop at developing a single antenna prototype; rather, it proposed a new manufacturing platform capable of fabricating active antennas, transmissive array antennas, and RIS in various shapes and arrays entirely through semiconductor processes.

​If further advanced with large-area wafers and more precise wave control technology in the future, it can be utilized in base stations, satellite antennas, and thin beam-steering panels that complement existing repeaters. Moreover, the scope of applications is expected to expand to systems performing joint communication and sensing, communication control for autonomous vehicles and low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites, and high-speed wireless connections inside AI data centers.

​Professor Oh stated, "This is highly significant in that the semiconductor switch and the antenna were designed and fabricated together on a single wafer from the very beginning." He added, "We will expand this to large-area wafers and precise phase control technology in the future, developing it into a universal 6G radio wave platform applicable to terrestrial and satellite communications, as well as industrial wireless systems." 

​The results of this research were published in Nature Communications, an international academic journal, on July 1st.

​Meanwhile, this research was conducted with support from the Institute for Information & communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP) (2021-0-00763, Development of THz 6G Intelligent Antenna Element/Structure/Network Innovative Convergence Technology).

[Reference]

- Paper/Journal: STARE: a semiconductor-integrated transmit-array architecture for 6G beamforming, Nature Communications

- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-74911-2

[Contact]

Professor Jungsuek Oh / jungsuek@snu.ac.kr

Source: https://ece.snu.ac.kr/ece/news?md=v&bbsidx=57952

Translated by: Changhoon Kang, English Editor of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, changhoon27@snu.ac.kr