Jacopo Iannacci

Fondazione Bruno Kessler | FBK · Center for Materials and Microsystems

The microfluidic-based Glomerulus-on-Chips (GoC) are mostly cell based, that is, 3D cell culture techniques are used to culture glomerular cells in order to mimic glomerular ultrafiltration. These chips require high maintenance to keep cell viability intact. There have been some approaches to build non-cell-based GoCs but many of these approaches h...

A geometrical reconfigurable structure based on RF Micro-electro-mechanical switches (RF-MEMS) is proposed in this work. The structure is composed of an array of gold metallic patches interconnected together utilizing RF-MEMS switches in order to change its geometry and, consequently, the scattering parameters. In particular, the reconfigurability...

The forthcoming paradigms of 6G, Future Networks (FN) and Super-Internet of Things (IoT), will bring disruption at various levels of the physical infrastructure. This work focuses on the network edge, stressing how the forecasted proliferation and technology innovation of the physical systems at the boundary of the network (edge), will pose crucial...

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for a robust medical infrastructure and crisis management strategy as part of smart-city applications, with technology playing a crucial role. The Internet of Things (IoT) has emerged as a promising solution, leveraging sensor arrays, wireless communication networks, and artificial intelligence (AI)-dr...

This paper presents the design and simulation of Piezoelectric MEMS varactor for 5G communication. The piezoelectric MEMS varactor is utilized for the tuning of the RF structure in the form of Quarter Mode Substrate Integrated Waveguide (QMSIW). Piezoelectric MEMS varactor is positioned above the QMSIW resonator. The QMSIW is a second order resonat...

This work explores the development of smart array antennas, able to electronically change their beam patterns through reconfigurable linear, planar, or conformal parasitic structures controlled by mean of a set of electronic switches namely the radio frequency micro-electromechanical switches (RF-MEMS). The motivation of this study is to extend and...

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for a robust medical infrastructure and crisis management strategy as part of smart-city applications, with technology playing a crucial role. The Internet of Things (IoT) has emerged as a promising solution, leveraging sensor arrays, wireless communication networks, and artificial intelligence (AI)-dr...

This paper presents a class comprising three series of Ohmic switches, elucidating their design principles, simulation outcomes and the findings derived from measuring the initial batch of manufactured samples. The design of the membranes employs meandered beams to achieve a small actuation voltage. Initial electro-mechanical simulations, conducted...

A Geometrical re-configurable structure based on RF Micro-electro-mechanical switches (RF-MEMS) is proposed in this work. The structure is composed of an array of gold metallic patches interconnected together utilizing RF-MEMS switches in order to change its geometry and, consequently, the scattering parameters. In particular, the reconfigurability...

This paper presents a novel approach to designing beam codebooks for downlink multiuser hybrid multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communication systems, leveraging multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL). The primary objective is to develop an environment-specific beam codebook composed of non-interfering beams, learned by cooperative...

The paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the design and simulation of a MEMS differential capacitive accelerometer optimized for the detection of tremor signals in Parkinson’s disease patients. The accelerometer design aims to address the sensing challenges at very low frequencies (< 10 Hz) associated with Parkinson’s tremors, specifically ta...

Artificial neural networks (ANN) are becoming highly prominent in the optimization of micro-RF devices, which are very significant in wireless communication applications. In this manuscript, we present the optimization of RF MEMS switches using ANN and the design of an antenna with frequency reconfigurability. A unique procedure is proposed to desi...

The Design and Implementation of Devices, Circuits, and Systems Series is of utmost importance in the context of today's communication systems as technological advancements across multiple application areas have resulted in larger design sizes and increased complexity of communication circuits and devices. This series aims to provide insights into...

--- Background The microfluidic-based Glomerulus-on-Chips (GoC) are mostly cell based, that is, 3D cell culture techniques are used to culture glomerular cells in order to mimic glomerular ultrafiltration. These chips require high maintenance to keep cell viability intact. There have been some approaches to build non-cell-based GoCs but many of the...

This paper presents a novel approach to designing beam codebooks for downlink multiuser hybrid multiple input multiple output (MIMO) wireless communication systems, leveraging multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL). The primary objective is to develop an environment-specific beam codebook composed of non-interfering beams, learned by cooperative...

In this paper, different concepts of reconfigurable RF-MEMS attenuators for beamforming applications are proposed and critically assessed. Capitalizing on the previous part of this work, the 1-bit attenuation modules featuring series and shunt resistors and low-voltage membranes (7–9 V) are employed to develop a 3-bit attenuator for fine-tuning att...

Planning for future communication networks, like 6G and Future Networks (FN), is pushing the boundaries of hardware technology. This paper explores how tiny sensors and actuators, based on Nano and Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (NEMS/MEMS), can play a crucial role, especially at the network edge. First, key concepts to understand the needs of th...

The utilization of RF-MEMS, which stands for Microsystem-based (MEMS) Radio Frequency (RF) passive components, is garnering growing attention within the realm of Beyond-5G (B5G) and 6G technologies, despite its longstanding existence. This trend is fueled by the impressive RF characteristics achievable through the judicious exploitation of this tec...

In this paper, different concepts of reconfigurable RF-MEMS attenuators for beamforming applications are proposed and critically assessed. Capitalizing on the previous part of this work, the 1-bit attenuation modules featuring series and shunt resistors and low-voltage membranes (7-9 V) are employed to develop a 3-bit attenuator for fine-tuning att...

In this paper, the design of three-port K-band resonating filters, including an SPDT with RF MEMS switches and triangular Sierpinski-shaped resonators, has been studied. This contribution is intended to improve the performance of switched metamaterial-inspired resonators using a three-port configuration instead of a two-port structure to enhance th...

The utilization of RF-MEMS, which stands for Microsystem-based (MEMS) Radio Frequency (RF) passive components, is garnering growing attention within the realm of Beyond-5G (B5G) and 6G technologies, despite its longstanding existence. This trend is fueled by the impressive RF characteristics achievable through the judicious exploitation of this tec...

Electrostatically actuated microelectromechanical system (MEMS) switches with fixed- fixed beams were fabricated. FEM modeling was used to calculate the contributions of stress in the fabricated beams from the measured values of pull-in voltage. The reported study provides useful guidelines to optimize the design of fixed-fixed beams, in order to r...

This paper describes different variants of broadband and simple attenuator modules for beamforming applications, based on radio frequency micro electro-mechanical systems (RF-MEMS), framed within coplanar waveguide (CPW) structures. The modules proposed in the first part of this work differ in their actuation voltage, topology, and desired attenuat...

In this paper, a class of three series ohmic switches is presented, including its design principles, the simulation results, and the outcomes of the measurements performed on the first batch of fabricated samples. The design of the adopted membranes is based on meandered beams, targeting a reduced actuation voltage. The initial and promising electr...

This paper describes different variants of broadband and simple attenuator modules for beamforming applications, based on Radio Frequency Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (RF-MEMS), framed within Coplanar Waveguide (CPW) structures. The modules proposed in the first part of this work differ in their actuation voltage, topology, and desired attenuat...

The aim of this first chapter is that of providing the necessary base of knowledge for the easy understanding of the subsequent discussion, to be developed across the following two chapters. With this view, coverage is provided in two distinct fields of scientific knowledge. First, a simplified and comparative description of the wireless communicat...

This chapter makes an effort to motivate the need for a reformulation of the concept of HW, in view of 6G and FN, and of their functioning. This undertaking will build upon the development of a conceptual framework, which is also provided with a graphical 3D implementation. The ad-hoc-constructed tool is named the I2D model, and is based on a deduc...

For a decade, with the uptake of 4G, we have become accustomed to the relentless increase in data and services on the move. The deployment of 5G is advancing crucial key performance indicators (KPIs), along with quality of service (QoS). Setting the horizon to 2030 and later, 6G will take the KPIs to numbers 100–1000 times better than 5G. Yet, the...

This conclusive chapter is going to address the actual reformulation of the concept of HW, along with its formalization. First, the concept of the HW–SW divide will be introduced, highlighting the cornerstone approaches to the development of HW–SW systems, which have remained unaltered for about five decades of telecommunications, and that can turn...

Best Paper Award at MNDCS 2024

In this work ARROW SPR waveguide sensor is proposed. The motivation behind present work is that surface plasmon resonance is the interesting topic of study in the bio sensing application. The modeling of SPR design and simulation of the anti-resonant reflecting optical waveguide surface plasmon resonance device (ARROW SPR) is conducted and compared...

This chapter discusses the potential of radio frequency microelectromechanical systems (RF-MEMS) technology in meeting the challenging requirements of 5G emerging applications. The chapter begins by discussing the evolution of RF-MEMS technology and how it was affected by market expectations and forecasts. It is observed that the widespread use of...

A miniaturized modulated scattering technique (MST) tag able to operate at millimetric frequency bands is proposed in this work. In particular, the proposed tag operates like an RFID tag, but thanks to the MST technique it does not require a radio frequency front end. The information is carried on by modulating an interrogating electromagnetic wave...

The emerging scenarios of 6G and, on a longer term, of Future Networks (FN) will pose challenges that cannot be addressed relying on standard design and development approaches. The network is expected to turn into a system of systems, implementing self-management and self-evolutionary capacities, especially at the edge. This work sketches a promine...

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sensors/events/16864

Triangular resonators re-shaped into Sierpinski geometry and U-shaped resonators were designed, linking them with single-pole-double-through (SPDT) RF MEMS switches to provide frequency tuning for potential applications in the K-Band. Prototypes of band-stop narrowband filters working around 20 GHz and 26 GHz, interesting for RADAR and satellite co...

Triangular resonators re-shaped with Sierpinski geometry were designed, manufactured, and tested for potential applications in the K-Band. Prototypes of band-stop filters working around 20 GHz and 26 GHz, interesting for RADAR and satellite communications, were studied in a coplanar waveguide (CPW) configuration. Single and coupled structures were...

Triangular resonators re-shaped with the Sierpinski geometry and U-shaped resonators have been designed, linking them with single-pole-double-through (SPDT) RF MEMS switches to provide frequency tuning for potential applications in the K-Band. Prototypes of band-stop narrowband filters working around 20 GHz and 26 GHz, interesting for RADAR and sat...

There are different types of skin cancer, but the most dangerous and aggressive is the malignant melanoma (MM), because it can be easily metastasized and reaches vital organs. The survival rates for this kind of pathology are very low if it reaches the lymph nodes or other organs. The survival rate becomes considerably high if it is early detected....

Future broad application paradigms like beyond-5G (B5G), 6G and super-Internet of things (IoT) will bring significant disruption in all the segments of the physical infrastructure ensuring such services, from the core (cloud) to the edge of the network. Substantial rearchitecting will be necessary to allow proper functioning of a highly-diversified...

The ambitious expectations of 5G/6G paradigms in terms of data rates rely on the ubiquitous coverage offered by various kinds of cells, adopting antenna arrays in massive multiple-input-multiple-output (mMIMO) configuration, and operating at high frequencies. The revolutionary choice of mMIMO systems unleash the potential of beamforming (BF) techni...

A miniaturized modulated scattering technique (MST) tag able to operate at millimetric frequency bands is proposed in this work. In particular, the proposed tag operates like a RFID tag, but thanks to the MST technique it does not require a radiofrequency front end. The information is carried on by modulating an interrogating electromagnetic wave w...

This research focuses on enhancing the optical efficacy of organic photovoltaic cells, specifically their optical absorbance and electrical parameters. The absorbance of photons in organic solar cells (OSCs) was studied by incorporating an optical space layer and triple core-shell square-lattice nanostructures. For better chemical and thermal stabi...

In this work, a low-temperature fabrication process of thin film encapsulation (TFE) with silicon nitride/chromium cap is proposed for large-size (750 μm x 300 μm) packaging of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). A FEM model was developed to evaluate the shape of TFE as a function of the residual stress and the thickness of the sealing layer, pr...

Triangular resonators re-shaped with the Sierpinski geometry have been designed, implementing them with single-pole-double-through (SPDT) RF MEMS switches to provide fine-tuning for potential applications in the K-Band. Prototypes of band-stop filters working at 20 GHz and 26 GHz, for RADAR and satellite communications have been studied in coplanar...

This study discusses the use of a triple material gate (TMG) junctionless tunnel field-effect transistor (JLTFET) as a biosensor to identify different protein molecules. Among the plethora of existing types of biosensors, FET/TFET-based devices are fully compatible with conventional integrated circuits. JLTFETs are preferred over TFETs and JLFETs b...

The emerging paradigms of Beyond-5G (B5G), 6G and Future Networks (FN), will capsize the current design strategies, leveraging new technologies and unprecedented solutions. Focusing on the telecom segment and on low-complexity Hardware (HW) components, this contribution identifies RF-MEMS, i.e., Radio Frequency (RF) passives in Microsystem (MEMS) t...

Looking at the last decade of evolution, 4G and current 5G (4th/5 th generation of mobile communications) boosted the integration of services (other than voice and text) provided to end-users, marking a significant discontinuity with previous generation. The maintenance of such a trend can be envisaged, imagining today what 6G (6 th generation) and...

Cover page of the January 2023 issue of the Proceedings of the IEEE, containing my article entitled "A Perspective Vision of Micro/Nano Systems and Technologies as Enablers of 6G, Super-IoT, and Tactile Internet" OpenAccess https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9991880

U-shaped microwave resonators implemented by RF MEMS switches can be considered the result of a novel design approach for obtaining small-footprint tunable resonators, owing to the bent shape of the resonator and the microsystem solution for changing the frequency of resonance. In this paper, we discuss the design approach for potential configurati...

Modern research in technology fields, such as electronics, distributed networks of sensing/functional nodes, and wireless and wearable devices, is relentlessly converging around wide application paradigms, such as Internet of Things (IoT) [1] and Internet of Everything (IoE) [2] — Table 1 , at the end of section, offers a full list of used acr...

This work presents a bandpass-reconfigurable planar pseudohairpin filter based on RF-MEMS switches. Hairpin-line structures are preferred to design microstrip filters because this class of filters offers a more compact size, and, in general, hairpin filters do not need ground connections for resonators. In this work, the U-shape resonators are arra...

In this paper, new suspended-membrane double-ohmic-contact RF-MEMS switch configurations are proposed. Double-diagonal (DDG) beam suspensions, with either two or three anchoring points, are designed and optimized to minimize membrane deformation due to residual fabrication stresses, thus exhibiting smaller mechanical deformation and a higher stiffn...

In this paper, metamaterial and microsystem concepts have been used to study resonating structures useful for narrowband microwave signal processing. U-shaped resonators and triangular Sierpinski structures have been designed, manufactured, and tested for possible applications in the K-Band, around 20 GHz and 26 GHz, for satellite communications. R...

The currently under-deployment 5G, as well as the future 6G and Super-IoT paradigms, is demanding and will go on demanding for high-performance, frequency agile, and reliable RF passive components, ranging from simple switches to articulated devices, phase shifters, impedance matching tuners, RF power step attenuators, filters, and so on, with pron...

The challenging characteristics addressed by the 5G standard rely on widespread coverage and services enabled by adaptive beamforming operated by cells and base stations. To this end, basic radio frequency (RF) components and systems are subjected to a constant push toward miniaturization, reconfigurability, frequency agility, and low-power consump...

Wireless sensor industry is driven by challenging paradigm of the Internet of things (IoT) devices and the 5th generation of wireless communications (5G). However, the near field devices have a lot of potential due to their low-power consumption, with the downside of covering a typically shorter range. This paper addresses the challenge of increasi...

The development of radio frequency (RF) passive components for modern 5G/6G applications, ranging from simple switches to complex network architectures, do often require simulating the system by the finite element method (FEM). FEM is useful when is difficult if not impossible to determine an analytical equation that describes the system of interes...

This paper proposes a monostable nonlinear Piezoelectric Energy Harvester (PEH). The harvester is based on an unconventional exsect-tapered fixed-guided spring design, which introduces nonlinearity into the system due to the bending and stretching of the spring. The physical–mathematical model and finite element simulations were performed to analyz...

Realization of the envisioned sixth generation (6G) of wireless networks will require unprecedented technology advances over the next decade. It is expected that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will extend the services offered to end-users, also driving a new era of self-evolution of network operations. In order to support these developments, the Hard...

Compact, U-shaped microwave resonators have been designed and implemented with RF MEMS switches to obtain frequency tunable narrow-band devices. The U-shape has been used to develop a resonator optimizing its size. In addition, RF MEMS ohmic switches have been introduced to implement the frequency tunability in a small range and to provide a high s...

The focus of this book develops around hardware, and in particular on low-complexity components for Radio Frequency (RF) applications. To this end, microsystem (MEMS) technology for RF passive components, known as RF-MEMS, is employed, discussing its potentialities in the application frame of 5G. The approach adopted is practical, and a significant...

Chapter 5 builds upon the hands-on modelling and simulation of RF MEMS passive components. To this end, a purposefully developed software library of compact analytical models of basic MEMS structures will be reported and discussed in detail. The tool is based on the VerilogA programming language, and it can be exploited in any commercial or open so...

Chapter 2 places the evolution of the RF-MEMS market, since the early days of the technology, under the spotlight. First, fundamental market analysis concepts, like the hype curve and technology push/market pull scenarios, are introduced. Then, the boosted prospects around massive market penetration of RF-MEMS, counteracted, in fact, by fluctuation...

Chapter 1 develops a comprehensive discussion on MEMS technologies. First, the inception of microsystems is analysed with reference to the evolution of semiconductor technologies, highlighting common features as well as their differentiation. The most diffused technology platforms for microsystems manufacturing are reported. Examples of consolidate...

Chapter 3 focuses on present and future mobile communication protocols. Initially, the working principles of mobile networks are introduced. The evolution of services and performance are reviewed, starting from the 1st generation (1G) of mobile communications, launched in the late 1970s, to the 4th generation (4G). Subsequently, the frame of the un...

Chapter 4 deals with a few RF-MEMS design concepts, discussed through a quite practical and hands-on approach. First, capitalising on system-level requirements unrolled in the previous chapter, a few classes of passive components and a set of target specifications critical for 5G/6G will be reported. Then, examples of RF-MEMS designs will be studie...

U-shaped microwave resonators implemented by RF MEMS switches can be considered the result of a novel design approach for obtaining small-footprint tunable resonators, owing to the bent shape of the resonator and the microsystem solution for changing the frequency of resonance. In this paper, we discuss the design approach for potential configurati...

To date, the rollout of 5G (5 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">th</sup> generation of mobile communications) has been ongoing for more than two years, with most of it still to come. Meanwhile, Key-Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) of Beyond-5G (B5G) and 6...

Looking at 2030, the landscape of technology will be dominated by paradigms like 6G, Super-IoT (Internet of Things) and Tactile Internet (TI). From the perspective of Hardware (HW) components technologies, the turning into reality of such scenarios will demand for a radical reconceptualization of devices, sub-systems and systems, probably modifying...

Modern-day biomedical science and technology have progressed with implantable neural recording systems. There is a demand for miniaturised devices that can be emplaced into the brain for an efficient neural recording process. In contrast to the commercial gadgets, the design of implantable devices is critical, as they are placed in vital regions of...

Looking at 2030, the landscape of technology will be dominated by paradigms like 6G, Super-IoT (Internet of Things) and Tactile Internet (TI). From the perspective of Hardware (HW) components technologies, the turning into reality of such scenarios will demand for a radical reconceptualization of devices, sub-systems and systems, probably modifying...

The emerging paradigms of the Beyond-5G, 6G and Super-IoT will demand for high-performance Radio Frequency (RF) passive components, and RF-MEMS technology, i.e. Microsystems-based RF passives, is a good candidate to meet such a challenge. As known, RF-MEMS have a complex behavior, that crosses different physical domains (mechanical; electrical; ele...

Certificate of my Keynote Talk delivered at the MNDCS 2022 Conference http://mndcs.nits.ac.in/speakers.html

https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/0960-1317/page/miniaturized-energy-harvesting-solutions-future-6g-scenario

Best Paper Award at MNDCS 2022

New generation Radio Frequency Microelectromechanical Systems (RF MEMS) Switches with high performance have been developed recently and the capability to exploit them for designing reconfigurable antennas is presented in this paper. A parasitic antenna on a planar structure with the Yagi-Uda concept is used as a proof of concept. The structure is c...