SERENA · Project

Cheaper, Smaller Antenna Systems for 5G Networks and Self-Driving Car Radar

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Imagine your phone's 5G signal and a self-driving car's radar both need special antennas that can steer radio beams electronically — like a spotlight that swivels without moving parts. Right now these antenna systems are expensive and bulky, which is why 5G rollout is slow and autonomous driving sensors cost a fortune. SERENA figured out how to build these beam-steering antennas using cheaper silicon-based chips and a clever 3D stacking method, making them 10 times more affordable and 4 times smaller. Think of it as going from a hand-built luxury watch to a mass-produced one that works just as well.

By the numbers

10x

targeted cost reduction for mm-wave beam-steering systems

reduction in form factor (physical size)

improvement in output power and efficiency

100x

potential increase in data rate

EUR 3,910,185

EU funding for development

consortium partners across 6 countries

50%

industry participation in the consortium

The business problem

What needed solving

Millimetre-wave antenna systems for 5G and automotive radar are too expensive, too large, and too power-hungry for mass-market deployment. Current production methods cannot deliver the volume or price points needed for widespread 5G small-cell rollout or affordable autonomous vehicle sensors. Companies building these products need a way to manufacture high-performance beam-steering antennas at consumer-grade costs.

The solution

What was built

The project built a proof-of-concept mm-wave beam-steering prototype using GaN-on-Silicon and SiGe/CMOS chips with 3D heterogeneous integration. Concrete deliverables include a fabricated and tested hardware module with functional and reliability test documentation, plus the interface hardware and control software connecting modules to the signal processing platform.

Audience

Who needs this

5G base station and small cell equipment manufacturers (Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung-type companies)Automotive radar and ADAS sensor suppliers (Continental, Bosch, Valeo-type companies)Semiconductor foundries expanding into mm-wave GaN-on-Silicon productionAdvanced packaging companies offering 3D heterogeneous integration servicesSatellite communication terminal makers needing affordable phased-array antennas

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Telecommunications equipment

enterprise

Target: 5G base station or small cell manufacturers

If you are a telecom equipment maker struggling with the high cost of millimetre-wave antenna arrays for 5G base stations — this project developed a GaN-on-Silicon beam-steering platform that targets 10x cost reduction and 4x smaller form factor. The hybrid analog/digital architecture supports data rates up to 100x higher than current systems. This could let you roll out dense 5G small-cell networks at a fraction of current hardware costs.

Automotive sensors

mid-size

Target: Automotive radar and ADAS component suppliers

If you are an automotive sensor company facing pressure to cut radar costs for mass-market autonomous vehicles — this project built a proof-of-concept mm-wave active antenna system with 2x improved output power and efficiency. The 3D integration approach using standard semiconductor processes is designed for mass customization. This means you could adapt the front-end circuitry specifically for automotive radar without redesigning the entire system.

Semiconductor packaging

mid-size

Target: Advanced packaging and system-in-package service providers

If you are a semiconductor packaging house looking to move into the high-margin mm-wave market — this project demonstrated a heterogeneous 3D integration approach combining GaN-on-Silicon and SiGe/CMOS chips. The consortium spans the entire electronics manufacturing supply chain from wafers to system providers. Licensing or adopting this integration platform could position you in the growing 5G and automotive radar packaging market.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

How much cheaper would mm-wave systems actually get?

The project targeted 10x increased affordability for mm-wave beam-steering systems by using GaN-on-Silicon technology and heterogeneous 3D integration instead of more expensive traditional approaches. The form factor was targeted at 4x reduction, which also contributes to lower material and assembly costs.

Can this technology scale to mass production?

The project was specifically designed for mass customization — the integration platform allows front-end circuitry to be adapted for specific market needs without full redesign. The consortium included 5 industrial partners spanning the full electronics supply chain from wafers to systems. Based on available project data, the proof-of-concept was built but industrial-scale production would require further engineering.

What is the IP situation and how can I license this?

The project was funded under Horizon 2020 RIA with EUR 3,910,185 EU contribution across 10 partners. IP generated during the project is owned by the consortium members according to standard H2020 rules. Licensing discussions would need to go through the consortium partners, with TECHNIKON (Austria) as the coordinator.

What performance improvements were actually demonstrated?

The project targeted 2x improved output power and efficiency, 4x reduced form factor, up to 100x increased data rate, and 10x affordability improvement. Deliverables include a fabricated and tested hardware module with documented functional and reliability tests. Based on available project data, these are design targets validated through prototype testing.

How does this compare to existing 5G antenna solutions?

Current mm-wave active antenna systems are expensive and power-hungry, limiting deployment. SERENA's hybrid analog/digital beam-steering architecture combined with GaN-on-Silicon and SiGe/CMOS aims to deliver beyond state-of-the-art performance at lower cost. The approach targets high output power with low energy consumption — a combination not readily available in current commercial products.

What is the timeline to commercial availability?

The project ran from January 2018 to November 2021 and is now closed. A proof-of-concept prototype was built and tested during the project. Based on available project data, further development and industrialization steps would be needed before commercial deployment, likely requiring additional investment and partnerships.

Consortium

Who built it

SERENA brings together 10 partners from 6 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Germany, Greece, France, Sweden) with a strong industrial backbone — 5 out of 10 partners are from industry, and 3 are SMEs. The consortium deliberately spans the entire electronics manufacturing chain from semiconductor wafers to final system providers, which means the technology was developed with real production constraints in mind. The coordinator, TECHNIKON from Austria, is an SME research and planning company. With 2 universities and 3 research organizations providing the scientific depth, and EUR 3,910,185 in EU funding, this is a well-balanced team that could realistically move results toward commercialization — though a system integrator or large telecom OEM would likely be needed to take it to market scale.

TECHNIKON FORSCHUNGS- UND PLANUNGSGESELLSCHAFT MBHCoordinator · AT
TOTALFORSVARETS FORSKNINGSINSTITUTparticipant · SE
INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRIA AGparticipant · AT
OMMIC SASparticipant · FR
TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAT BERLINparticipant · DE
ERICSSON ABparticipant · SE
SOITEC BELGIUM NVparticipant · BE
EREVNITIKO PANEPISTIMIAKO INSTITOUTO SYSTIMATON EPIKOINONION KAI YPOLOGISTONparticipant · EL
CHALMERS TEKNISKA HOGSKOLA ABparticipant · SE

How to reach the team

TECHNIKON Forschungs- und Planungsgesellschaft MBH (Austria) — an SME specializing in research coordination. Contact through their website or via SciTransfer.

Order a report on this consortium See TECHNIKON FORSCHUNGS- UND PLANUNGSGESELLSCHAFT MBH profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore licensing SERENA's mm-wave antenna technology for your 5G or automotive radar products? SciTransfer can connect you with the right consortium partners and arrange a technical briefing.

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